Chris Mason is an incredibly intelligent and deep thinking darts analyst. Probably the number 1 for his actual analysis. John Part is a very smart man but Mason gives the best actual analysis to the fans.
I remember about 21 years ago, i was 15 years old and i won a junior darts tournament at a place called St Osyth. I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Mason always thought he was a top man. Then he lost to Mick Manning in the final and i remember Chris and Mick walking through the campsite drunk as skunks in each others arms, signing drunken songs haha i thought thats sportmanship when you see it haha.
Grand Prix should be a lot higher. Far more upset results than any other tournament with the very short round 1 format and the unique double in double out format. World Matchplay still the second most prestigious title but got to be one of the simpler ones to win for a form player as over the longer format the better player prevails with greater regularity than the first to 6 or 10 of other events.
I think the important thing that you need to clarify here is hardest to win for whom, as it will differ greatly between elite players and those lower down the rankings. Taylor clearly found the matchplay quite 'easy' but didn't win the UK open nearly as often. Gilding definitely has had more success the other way round. The longer format, 1 match per day, events like the worlds/matchplay/slam will generally favour the elites, whereas the weekend tournaments like the UK Open/Players/Euros will provide more opportunities for the up and comers. Grand Prix might be the best (or worst?) of both worlds, where the early rounds are quite high variance, so the elites have issues there, but the format is long enough at the end that it'll take a quality player to win it. In any case, I think you have the UK open far too high, as the open draw means you can get through a lot of rounds without actually having to play a top player.
i would personally have the matchplay over the UK open as you are playing a top player every round. In the UK open you could in theory get a so called easy draw.
I agree with the logic behind your list I will never understand the PDC putting the premier league as a triple crown event when in my opinion the grand slam is a much harder tournament to win what do you think ?
I always get the impression the Matchplay is the hardest to win, long games and with leg play there aren’t as many chances for players to get back into matches as set play, Plus it’s known for the extreme heat and is the second most elite tournament with as you say the best 32 players in the world
Wouldn't it have made more sense to do this vid with Durrant since he's actually won one of the PDC tv titles and several BDO? Mase is cool guy and has valid opinions of course, but don't remember him ever getting to a big final on either side or premier league... Durrant's opinion would have more basis in experience
Mason has played in these events far more. I don’t subscribe to the camp of if you won something you have a stronger opinion. Understanding of and application of skill are 2 different conversations and j don’t see the cross over
Mason not making much sense talking about how hard the Grand Slam Sunday is to win Grand Slam Sunday: Semi best of 31 legs, Final best of 31 legs - maximum 62 legs played Masters, Europeans, UK Open, Players Championships: Quarters best of 19 legs, Semi best of 21 legs and Final best of 21 legs - maximum 61 legs and you have to do an extra walk on, more TV breaks etc
Chris Mason is an incredibly intelligent and deep thinking darts analyst. Probably the number 1 for his actual analysis. John Part is a very smart man but Mason gives the best actual analysis to the fans.
I remember about 21 years ago, i was 15 years old and i won a junior darts tournament at a place called St Osyth. I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Mason always thought he was a top man. Then he lost to Mick Manning in the final and i remember Chris and Mick walking through the campsite drunk as skunks in each others arms, signing drunken songs haha i thought thats sportmanship when you see it haha.
He has took over a pub local to myself I keep meaning to pop in but my mates are all poofs and play pool or the gamblers and dont like darts 😂
Chris is an absolute legend so glad he’s still around as a punter
Great Video Matt, How can you forget about the Grand Slam 😂 Great tournament love the group stages, it’s got it all.
Grand Prix should be a lot higher. Far more upset results than any other tournament with the very short round 1 format and the unique double in double out format.
World Matchplay still the second most prestigious title but got to be one of the simpler ones to win for a form player as over the longer format the better player prevails with greater regularity than the first to 6 or 10 of other events.
Disagree that often makes it harder when better player meets each other
I think the important thing that you need to clarify here is hardest to win for whom, as it will differ greatly between elite players and those lower down the rankings. Taylor clearly found the matchplay quite 'easy' but didn't win the UK open nearly as often. Gilding definitely has had more success the other way round. The longer format, 1 match per day, events like the worlds/matchplay/slam will generally favour the elites, whereas the weekend tournaments like the UK Open/Players/Euros will provide more opportunities for the up and comers. Grand Prix might be the best (or worst?) of both worlds, where the early rounds are quite high variance, so the elites have issues there, but the format is long enough at the end that it'll take a quality player to win it. In any case, I think you have the UK open far too high, as the open draw means you can get through a lot of rounds without actually having to play a top player.
Good point
Other than the worlds the grand prix is my favourite to watch. I really like the double start.
i would personally have the matchplay over the UK open as you are playing a top player every round. In the UK open you could in theory get a so called easy draw.
The grand Prix one
UK open two
Matchplay three
I agree with the logic behind your list I will never understand the PDC putting the premier league as a triple crown event when in my opinion the grand slam is a much harder tournament to win what do you think ?
Triple crown is a random mythical thing tbf
I always get the impression the Matchplay is the hardest to win, long games and with leg play there aren’t as many chances for players to get back into matches as set play,
Plus it’s known for the extreme heat and is the second most elite tournament with as you say the best 32 players in the world
Great channel. Can you guys spend 50$ on a microphone. Audio is terrible. Just sayin. I’ll still be watching
World Championships….because that’s the Ultimate
Do pro darts players still have a little alcohol when they play
Wouldn't it have made more sense to do this vid with Durrant since he's actually won one of the PDC tv titles and several BDO? Mase is cool guy and has valid opinions of course, but don't remember him ever getting to a big final on either side or premier league... Durrant's opinion would have more basis in experience
Mason has played in these events far more. I don’t subscribe to the camp of if you won something you have a stronger opinion. Understanding of and application of skill are 2 different conversations and j don’t see the cross over
PMSL
Flip the coin on Premier League as you can also play well all weeks and have a bad day and you're out. So I'd say PL is hardest to win.
You missed out the masters.
Is the premier league a ranked event?
No not ranked
No unranked
Im not suprised you didnt put the Grand Slam in Matt ..very forgettable tournament 😅
Mason not making much sense talking about how hard the Grand Slam Sunday is to win
Grand Slam Sunday: Semi best of 31 legs, Final best of 31 legs - maximum 62 legs played
Masters, Europeans, UK Open, Players Championships: Quarters best of 19 legs, Semi best of 21 legs and Final best of 21 legs - maximum 61 legs and you have to do an extra walk on, more TV breaks etc
Long breaks in between matches, time to relax and reset, playing best of 31 matches are a totally different discipline.