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'Once it sneaks in, it’s hard to shake off' - Vincent van der Voort caught himself whining too much

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated May 15, 2025 1:22 PM ET

A new episode of the Darts Draait Door podcast delved into some of the most common annoyances in the world of darts—only for the hosts to admit they’re often guilty of those same behaviours themselves.

Podcast host Damian Vlottes, who made his debut on the Development Tour last weekend, shared a striking example. During one of his matches, he took out a 124 finish while his opponent was sitting on 40.

"His face said it all—he looked absolutely crushed. I gave him a handshake, a pat on the back, and even apologised," Vlottes said. "It’s exactly the kind of thing that annoys me when I see it on TV. And yet, here I was doing it myself."

Former professional and co-host Vincent van der Voort added, "You can spend years analysing and watching darts, but once you're on the oche, you end up doing the same things as everyone else."

Van der Voort offered another relatable example: letting negativity creep in during and after matches. "You see it all the time on TV, and you know it doesn't help. But it still happens. I once made a commitment with Kevin (his son, ed.) to really give it our all at a Pro Tour event. But I missed the bull, lost the leg, and by the second visit I was already thinking, ‘What am I even doing here?’"

A Moment of Mental Short-Circuit

Van der Voort, who held a Tour Card until last year, described it as a brief mental lapse.

"There I was again—moaning and in disbelief about how well my opponent was playing against me. We had talked about this kind of mindset extensively beforehand, but once it sneaks in, it’s hard to shake off."

Vlottes also found himself irritated by a common tactic—his opponent stubbornly staying on the 20 segment despite poor results.

"I always have something to say about that, but I caught myself doing the exact same thing," he admitted.

Van der Voort, however, sees this as a natural instinct. "It’s easy to criticise from the sidelines. But when you're up there and that’s what feels right in the moment, you just go with it."