Luke Littler accuses Michael van Gerwen of thoughts video games trick that ‘at all times’ fails
Luke Littler has accused Michael van Gerwen of trying to play mind games with him before their big matches and why he has come out on top in their battles
Darts prodigy Luke Littler has thrown down the gauntlet to Michael van Gerwen, claiming the Dutchman tries to psych him out before their match-ups.
The pair have locked horns in some memorable encounters, including when Littler clinched victory in this year’s World Championship final.
Players usually warm up with a few throws at a practice board to determine who kicks off the match, and its during these pre-game moments that Van Gerwen supposedly plays mind games, trying to unsettle his opponent.
Despite this, the confident 18-year-old asserts that he’s always one step ahead. Opening up on the Stick To Football podcast, Littler explained.
He said: “Before every tournament, before we go on stage, we throw for nearest bull to see who goes first and every time I’ll go over to Michael van Gerwen, and he’ll try to get in my head about hitting the bullseye first but [I] always get it before he does!”
As the world No. 2, Littler seems to have Van Gerwen’s number in top-level contests, having triumphed in seven out of their past ten face-offs, and hes been commanding this year’s Premier League too.
Trailing by eight points, even second-placed Luke Humphries can’t seem to catch up to Littler, who is heading straight for the playoffs come May, reports the Express.
Littler credits some of his astonishing track record against his competitors to his love for being center stage under the spotlight, thriving on the intense pressure.
He added: “The only reason why I pull out of tournaments is to get a bit of a break from the sport. We’re playing every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at least, so we need that break.
Luke Littler Loadout SP
The dart set includes a 90% Tungsten straight barrel 52mm in length, featuring radial grooves for enhanced finger grip.
The 26mm Black Swiss Point, utilizing Swiss Point Technology, allows for easy point switching, and its flush integration with the barrel adds to the set’s sleek appearance. The set includes a Short Pro Grip Shaft for a seamless lead-in and a firm flight grip, minimizing fallouts.
“Despite the busy schedule, I still enjoy playing and I love the walk ons and being on stage in front of the fans, it’s great.
“For me, if your opponent is sat on a double to win and you’ve got a 100+ checkout, but I think to myself to let him go and I’ll hit. The pressure moments are my favourite part of the sport.
“The fans will get on your back if you miss your first dart at a checkout and if you’re miles out, then the pressure is on, but when it goes in on the third dart, it’s amazing.”
The surge in darts’ popularity has been matched by an increase in the calibre of performances on stage. Littler opines that even the most celebrated players from the past would find today’s competition tough and might ‘struggle’ to dominate as they once did.
Nonetheless, he has his sights set on surpassing Phil Taylor’s impressive tally of 16 World Championships.
Littler expressed his admiration: “Phil Taylor was my idol. If I can be bothered to stay in darts for that time, I could maybe beat his record. He was 52 when he won his 16th world title. If I want to, then I will.
“There’s a record there to be broken, but it’s going to take some doing. He also won the World Matchplay 16 times, so he’s won two of the big majors 16 times it’ll take some doing.
“[The competition] is a lot better now. You still had Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow it was still a good field, but nowadays, I think Phil would struggle.”
