Back to the “RIV” For DARTSLIVE USA OPEN and WORLD STAGE 7
By Steve Fisher
The Riviera Hotel in Vegas is a familiar venue for local dart players, and was also the location for the first-ever DARTSLIVE USA OPEN and WORLD STAGE events to be held in the USA. Events began on Friday, September 28, 2023 with two Blind Draw events, Saturday, September 29 was dedicated to the WORLD STAGE 7 (and a POOL PARTY), and Sunday, September 30 featured THE WORLD PAIRS event, Level 1 Open Blind Draw, Level 2 Parity Blind Draw, and the Final event was a 4-person Pro-Am event called the WORLD GALLON.
The entire event was very well-organized and unique to anything I have ever experienced, combining the very best, professional caliber dart players alongside amateurs and aspiring pros for an entire weekend. We witnessed, not just the best shots in darts, but also the very best in sportsmanship, attitude, and community, for everyone involved.
Personally, I’ve not seen Paul Lim in many years. I was humbled and amazed to see that, although he had achieved number one status winning the last WORLD GRAND FINALE (approx $130,000 US), he had not changed as a person. Immediately, he wanted to sit down and chat. He was bombarded by fans wanting his autograph, which, of course, he signed graciously. I felt that I was sitting with the Tiger Woods of Darts at the US OPEN in Pebble Beach. Truth is, Paul Lim actually sets a higher standard in class, and true sportsmanship for the sport of darts than Tiger does in golf.
Many of the top players from Washington State made the trip, and of course we had high hopes for the likes of hometown heroes, John Husman, Todd Jordan, David Foster, Rich Sutton, Willy Walker, Peter Clark, Tony Ashworth, Jim Tederman, Jimmy Allen, Mark Firestone, and the likes. If I missed anyone, I apologize.
On Friday, Willy Walker made it to the stage to take 3rd place in the Blind Draw event. In the BIG WORLD STAGE 7 event John Husman and Willy Walker advanced to the top 64 before losing a couple of very tough matches. I watched Todd Jordan hold his own in a rigorous battle against Scott Miller, another USA player who took 2nd to Lourence Ilagan, STAGE 7 Champion.
Other notable finishes included Darryl Rieux sporting his Siren shirt, placing in the Top 8 in Sunday morning’s Draw event, plus an honorable mention to Sean McGee, who placed in the Top 8 in the GALLON 4-person event.
At the pool party, Jimmy Allen was drawn to be one of just eight lucky contestants to compete in a $5,000 payout event. On Sunday, these eight players played a new DARTSLIVE game where the team that pops the balloon loses. Everyone cashed and each losing team had the honor of wearing a chicken hat!
The setup and production at this event was incredible, with the lighting, new upbeat music, and spectators with thunder clap balloons, caused me to flash back to being in the end zone of a Sonic playoff game during a free throw.
On Saturday, during the final matches on stage, every board except the one on stage was turned off. The room was completely dark except for the stage and the two big screen monitors showing the live feed being broadcast online to DARTSLIVE.TV. The production quality of the live feed was similar to that I’ve seen on TV at the Steel Tip Finals from England. You can see the shooter’s face as he shoots his or her darts, and the opponent in the background. The split screen also shows the darts hitting the board, and the scoring. In between turns, three to four hundred spectators would clap those balloons for a few seconds, and quit respectfully, allowing the next shooter to focus. What a show!
The final match was between Lourence Ilagan from the Phillipines vs. Scotty “The Mouth” Miller from the USA. Both are absolute class-acts, and fun to watch. See it for yourself on You Tube, search World Stage 7 Vegas 2012 Finale Ilagan Miller.
On Sunday, Paul Lim and Scott Kirchner teamed up to win the WORLD PAIRS event prior to the GALLON Pro-Am-style 4-player draw team event.
I found the entire weekend to be an inspiration, witnessing the best players in world. The way in which they carried themselves, their delight and appreciation for a chance to be in the limelight was fun to watch. As a participant for more than 30-years in soft tip darts, it’s truly exciting to see the sport develop as it has. I can’t help but remember hearing steel tip purists say “soft tip” was just a toy, not to be taken seriously. Yet I watch these pros’ delight for a dartboard designed to attract beginners and brand new players. The board’s cool lighting (taking a page right out of Datascore’s signature Cosmic Darts), special themes, and backgrounds that come alive, superb camera technology for online global play, as well as other innovations, does not detract from even the very best players in the world competing for huge money, sponsorships and fame. As it should be, and probably overdue, the sport of darts, both steel and soft, is growing in stature. What some seem not to realize is how this inspiration leads to more new players, more beginners, and more amateurs taking a crack at darts. Just as with professional golf, basketball, baseball, etc., current and future professional stars of the sport will only help it’s growth and acceptance in the mainstream.
Even though I didn’t play well this time, after taking it all in, I’ve decided to “go pro” for next year!
Also worth mentioning was the positive energy from the entire DARTSLIVE staff. In no particular order, Steve Ngu, Rob Heckman, Max Wurzer, Chris Lim, and all the staff were extremely friendly and professional. Chris does an exceptional job as Emcee, and talking to the players before and after the big matches, as you’ll see on the video.
The pool party Saturday night featured great music with many giveaways and a free open-bar for over 400 people, indicative of a very generous event put on by DARTLIVE NORTH AMERICA and SEGA.
The big WORLD GRAND FINAL for 2012 will be in Hong Kong in December. Two Washington players still have a chance to qualify! Good luck to Todd Jordan and Rich Sutton in Los Angeles, CA at the Dragon event October 20th at Campus Billiards in Cyprus California. Todd and Rich are competing against just 32 other USA qualifiers for two spots that will advance to THE WORLD GRAND FINAL in Hong Kong December 15 and 16. These two Finalists will receive airfare, hotel, and entry fee, provided by DARTSLIVE NORTH AMERICA.