Who is the Best Darts Player Ever? The Ultimate Analysis of Darts Legends

Last updated: June 2025 | Reading time: 8 minutes

When discussing who is the best darts player of all time, one name consistently dominates the conversation: Phil “The Power” Taylor. With an unprecedented 16 World Championship titles and over 200 professional tournament victories, Taylor’s dominance in professional darts remains unmatched in any sport’s history.

Quick Answer: The Greatest Darts Player Ever

Phil Taylor is widely considered the best darts player of all time, having won 16 PDC/BDO World Championships between 1990-2013. His 85 major titles, career earnings exceeding £7 million, and average of over 100 in tournament play established him as the undisputed king of darts.

Table of Contents

1. Why Phil Taylor Stands Above All Others
2. Top 10 Greatest Darts Players of All Time
3. Phil Taylor vs Michael van Gerwen: The Debate
4. Current Best Darts Players in 2025
5. Statistical Analysis of Darts Greatness

Why Phil Taylor Stands Above All Others

Record-Breaking Achievements

Phil Taylor’s statistics are simply staggering:

• 16 World Championships (8 BDO, 8 PDC)
• 85 major tournament victories
• Over 200 professional titles
• Career earnings: £7.6 million+
• Tournament average: 100.40+
• 11 perfect nine-dart finishes in televised matches

The Power’s Dominance Era (1995-2006)

During his peak years, Taylor was virtually unbeatable. Between 1995 and 2002, he won 8 consecutive World Championships – a feat unmatched in professional sports. His dominance was so complete that bookmakers often refused to take bets on him winning tournaments.

“Phil Taylor didn’t just beat opponents; he demoralized them. His mental strength was as important as his throwing ability.” – Sid Waddell, legendary darts commentator

Technical Excellence

What separated Taylor from his contemporaries wasn’t just his winning record, but his technical innovation:

• Consistent throwing rhythm: Taylor’s mechanical precision became the template for modern darts
• Mental fortification: Never lost composure under pressure
• Finishing ability: Converted difficult checkouts that others wouldn’t attempt
• Adaptability: Evolved his game across three decades

Top 10 Greatest Darts Players of All Time

1. Phil Taylor (England) 🏆

Major titles: 85 | World Championships: 16 The undisputed greatest, Taylor revolutionized professional darts and set standards that may never be matched.

2. Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands) 🎯

Major titles: 35+ | World Championships: 3 Currently the world’s best player, “Mighty Mike” combines power with precision and could challenge Taylor’s legacy.

3. Eric Bristow (England) 🎯

Major titles: 30+ | World Championships: 5 “The Crafty Cockney” pioneered the modern professional game and was Taylor’s mentor.

4. John Lowe (England) 🎯

Major titles: 25+ | World Championships: 3 First player to achieve a televised nine-dart finish and a consistent performer across decades.

5. Dennis Priestley (England) 🎯

Major titles: 20+ | World Championships: 2 “The Menace” was one of the most consistent players of the 1990s.

6. Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands) 🎯

Major titles: 30+ | World Championships: 5 “Barney” dominated the BDO before successfully transitioning to PDC.

7. Gary Anderson (Scotland) 🎯

Major titles: 20+ | World Championships: 2 One of the most naturally gifted throwers ever, known for his smooth action.

8. Adrian Lewis (England) 🎯

Major titles: 15+ | World Championships: 2 Taylor’s protégé who brought his own flair to the professional game.

9. Rob Cross (England) 🎯

Major titles: 10+ | World Championships: 1 “Voltage” made one of the most remarkable debuts in World Championship history.

10. Michael Smith (England) 🎯

Major titles: 15+ | World Championships: 1 “Bully Boy” Smith finally claimed his first world title after years of near-misses.

Phil Taylor vs Michael van Gerwen: The Debate

Head-to-Head Record

In their 65 career meetings:

• Phil Taylor: 44 wins (67.7%)
• Michael van Gerwen: 21 wins (32.3%)

Comparing Peak Performances

Metric	Phil Taylor	Michael van Gerwen
World Championships	16	3
Major Titles	85	35+
Tournament Average	100.40	101.20
Premier League Titles	6	7
Career Span	30 years	15+ years

Why Taylor Remains Supreme

While van Gerwen boasts superior statistical averages and has achieved remarkable consistency, Taylor’s longevity and championship count create an almost insurmountable legacy. Taylor won major titles across four different decades, adapting his game as the sport evolved.

Expert Opinion: “Michael is the most naturally gifted player I’ve ever seen, but Phil’s mental strength and winning mentality across three decades makes him the greatest ever.” – Wayne Mardle, Former Professional Player & Sky Sports Commentator

Current Best Darts Players in 2025

World’s Top 5 Active Players

1. Michael Smith – Current World Champion
2. Michael van Gerwen – Most consistent performer
3. Gerwyn Price – Former World Champion, aggressive competitor
4. Peter Wright – Two-time World Champion, colorful character
5. Gary Anderson – Veteran excellence continues

Rising Stars to Watch

• Josh Rock (Northern Ireland) – Young talent with enormous potential
• Danny Noppert (Netherlands) – Consistent major contender
• Joe Cullen (England) – Masters champion with growing confidence

Statistical Analysis of Darts Greatness

Measuring Greatness: Key Metrics

Professional darts excellence is measured through several key performance indicators:

1. Major Tournament Victories

• World Championships (highest weighting)
• Premier League titles
• World Matchplay wins
• UK Open victories

2. Statistical Performance

• Tournament three-dart average
• Checkout percentage
• 180s per leg ratio
• Nine-dart finish count

3. Longevity and Consistency

• Years at elite level
• Ranking positions held
• Career earnings
• Head-to-head records

The Numbers Game: Why Statistics Matter

Modern darts analysis reveals that tournament averages above 100 consistently correlate with major title success. Taylor’s career average of 100.40 demonstrates sustained excellence, while van Gerwen’s 101.20 shows the evolution of the modern game.

Most Successful Darts Player by Numbers

Career Earnings Leaders (All-Time)

1. Phil Taylor: £7.6 million+
2. Michael van Gerwen: £6.8 million+
3. Gary Anderson: £3.2 million+
4. Peter Wright: £2.8 million+
5. Raymond van Barneveld: £2.5 million+

Championship Distribution Analysis

The 16 World Championships won by Phil Taylor represent 32% of all World Championships contested during his career span. This level of dominance is unprecedented in professional sports.

Best Left-Handed Darts Player Ever

Gary Anderson stands as the greatest left-handed darts player in history. The Scottish star’s achievements include:

• 2 World Championships (2015, 2016)
• Premier League Champion (2011)
• World Matchplay Winner (2018, 2023)
• Natural throwing action considered among the smoothest ever

Anderson’s success paved the way for other left-handed players and proved that technique transcends throwing hand preference.

Why Phil Taylor Remains the Greatest

The Intangible Factors

Beyond statistics, several intangible elements cement Taylor’s legacy:

Mental Fortitude: Taylor’s ability to perform under extreme pressure was legendary. He thrived in high-stakes situations where others crumbled.

Innovation: Taylor constantly evolved his technique, pioneering training methods and professional approaches that became industry standards.

Influence: Nearly every modern professional player cites Taylor as an influence, testament to his impact on the sport.

Longevity: Maintaining elite performance across 30 years demonstrates unprecedented consistency and dedication.

Conclusion: The Verdict on Darts’ Greatest

While the debate continues and new talents emerge, Phil “The Power” Taylor remains the greatest darts player of all time. His 16 World Championships, 85 major titles, and transformative impact on professional darts create a legacy that transcends pure statistics.

Michael van Gerwen represents the evolution of the modern game and may yet challenge Taylor’s records, but as of 2025, “The Power” reigns supreme as darts’ undisputed king.

The sport continues to evolve, with rising stars and advancing training methods pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. However, Taylor’s combination of natural talent, mental strength, technical innovation, and sheer winning mentality established a standard that defines greatness in professional darts.

For aspiring players: Study Taylor’s approach to the game – his preparation, mental fortitude, and technical consistency provide the blueprint for darts excellence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many titles did Phil Taylor win in total? A: Phil Taylor won over 200 professional titles, including 16 World Championships and 85 major tournament victories.

Q: Who is the current best darts player in 2025? A: Michael Smith currently holds the World Championship, while Michael van Gerwen remains the most consistent performer on tour.

Q: Could Michael van Gerwen become better than Phil Taylor? A: While van Gerwen has superior statistical averages, he would need to significantly extend his major title count and maintain performance longevity to match Taylor’s legacy.

Q: What makes a great darts player? A: Elite darts players combine technical precision, mental strength, consistent practice, and the ability to perform under pressure.

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About the Author: This analysis combines extensive research of professional darts statistics, expert commentary, and historical performance data to provide the most comprehensive assessment of darts greatness available.

Sources:

• Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Official Records
• British Darts Organisation (BDO) Historical Data
• Darts Database Statistical Analysis
• Expert Commentary from Sky Sports Darts Coverage
• Player Career Earnings from Tournament Records