Should Phil Taylor Be Banned?

[Mark Iverson]

After helping televised darts reach unprecedented levels of popularity, is there a danger that Phil Taylor could end up being the sport's downfall? The guy is head and shoulders above every other player in the sport and although I can appreciate his professionalism and absolute brilliance, I can't help but feel disappointment when I see his name on the fixture list!

His matches are often hugely one sided and his price of 1.04 prior to the final of the Stan James World matchplay is evidence that others are also convinced that his opponents are merely speed bumps that have to be negotiated before travelling to yet another victory.

I can't see him retiring anytime soon - he gets paid too much for winning events - so what can the TV bosses do to regenerate interest before the paying public end up feeling the same way?

[Poetaster]

Phil Taylor the legend to be banned because he doesnt provide suitable trading opportunities?! Shame on you :)

[Gordon McIvor Wilson]

Spike his Highland Spring

[Richard Stoddart]

He did, but every time Taylor plays Wade he gives away a handicap. Fair enough Wade might win one now and again but most of the time he's going to get beat. The incentive of putting their own money down would be to see how much they'd be willing to wager on their own ability as well as the fact their mentality will be slightly different re:losing their own money as regards winning someone else's (or sponsor prize money).

[BOTS]

James Wade beat Phil Taylor during this year's Premier League (and last year's), there is no need for a handicap. The prize money for the Premier League is also the same as the World Championship (£100k) so there should ben no question of players' motivation being an issue.

[Richard Stoddart]

I would love to see some kind of handicap system or maybe some old fashioned mtach betting bewteen darts players. ie. Taylor v Wade, they both agree on a handicap and stakes and then play - televise the negotiations and the games, would make great tv.

[BOTS]

I was at the final night of the Premier League at Wembley. Phil Taylor was a disappointment; he played as though all he had to do was turn up (which he's probably done a million times before and won easily).

Taylor is fallible, fact.

[john Tuohy]

Make him play left-handed or maybe a blindfold?

[Mark Iverson]

Hi Graham & Anton,

The 'banning' bit was a bit tongue in cheek but after Taylor's 18-4 demolition of Jenkins (who is himself a very good player) it just shows how far he is ahead of the rest.

Darts can be a great trading sport as there's plenty of volatility but for a 1.04 shot to never be in doubt (it was a 1.01 train) it does lose alot of it's appeal.

All the best,

Mark

[Anton Whalley]

I am with Graham on this. Its up to the field.

I have NEVER looked at darts from a trading perspective but if he is starting at 1.04 is there not some lay value in the later rounds if you can bet in running?

[Graham Kendall]

I can see where you are coming from - but you can't just ban somebody because they are too good. The others have to make the extra effort to get to his standard - and they will.
It reminds me of Marian Tinsley who held the world Checkers championship for over 40 years and in that time he only lost three competitive games (not matches). He lost a further four games to Chinook; which was a forerunner to Deep Blue in computers playing games against humans.

Graham
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