PDC World Darts Championships

On Friday, the best players from around the globe (well most of them at least) will assemble at Alexandra Palace in north London to compete for the PDC World Darts Championship. The tournament will be televised live on Sky. The event is the culmination of a year of ranking tournaments that has seen 13 times World Champion and darting legend Phil 'The Power' Taylor (right) return to prominence after what was a poor 2007, by his standards.

In 2008 Taylor has won all but one televised ranking events. Only the UK Open eluded him. His year started with disappointment as he was knocked out of the World Championship and was forced to watch John Part claim title from the rank outsider Kirk Shepherd in a disappointing final. While he continued to dominate the Premier League Taylor was knocked out in an early round of UK Open which was won by James Wade.

From then on however, it was Taylor all the way emphatically winning the Premier League, the Desert Classic, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, European Championships and Grand Slam (a non ranking but prestigious event). For many (including me) Taylor is a shoe in to make it 14 World titles.

However, professional darts is not just about Taylor. The journey to the final will be a long, action packed, dramatic roller coaster. For the uninitiated, darts is a game of skill and nerve. Players who can throw rudimentary check-outs with there eyes closed become quivering wrecks under the lights and in front of thousands of baying fans. Literally thousands of pounds can be won or lost on the width of a wire. The tension and excitement make for a wonderful competitive spectacle and darts continues to grow in popularity as a spectator sport.

Over the next few days, this blog will dedicated itself to the upcoming tournament and introduce you to some of the games greatest players and more colourful characters.

But first, here is a wee taster of darts at its finest.