Poker Is the New Darts

Internet Poker / Editor / 27 December 2007 / Leave a Comment

THERE'S only one word for that: magic poker.

Poker has yet to find its voice - darts has Sid Waddell. But poker does have nicknames, sportsmen in sticky manmade fibres and both games can be played without going outdoors.

It would never be too long before poker and darts came together. No, not in Sky Sports Darts Poker or ITV's Poker Darts - not yet. But in the unlikely shape of Phil 'The Power' Taylor.

Taylor, a world darts champion, tells us that one of his long-standing ambitions is to become a world poker champion. Three years ago, he won £179,000 by finishing second at the 888.com Pacific Poker Open. He has known success.

Taylor would like to enter the World Series, which takes place in Las Vegas in July. But he cannot. The event clashes with one of darts' top events, the Stan James Matchplay.

Says Taylor: "I try to play by instinct but there are some similarities between darts and poker because it is all about bottle. You know what you have to do and you have to seize that moment. If they think you are bluffing and you have the best hand, then just go for it."

And try to end on a double... And a bonus