2021 Masters 29 January ITV4

US2 · 05-01-2021 5:41pm #1

Just announced that the format has been changed from top 16 to top 24. First round will be best of 11 then best of 19 though.
Good change in my opinion

2021 Masters first round

Joe Cullen v Stephen Bunting
Michael Smith v Adrian Lewis
Glen Durrant v Mervyn King
Ian White v Mensur Suljovic
Jose De Sousa v Jonny Clayton
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Chris Dobey
Krzysztof Ratajski v Simon Whitlock
Daryl Gurney v Jeffrey de Zwaan

2021 Masters second round

Gerwyn Price v Cullen/Bunting
Gary Anderson v Smith/Lewis
Rob Cross v Durrant/King
Nathan Aspinall v White/Suljovic
Michael van Gerwen v De Sousa/Clayton
James Wade v Van den Bergh/Dobey
Peter Wright v Ratajski/Whitlock
Dave Chisnall v Gurney/de Zwaan

boomdocker · 05-01-2021 8:04pm

Nice

Possible rematch between Price and Bunting
Michael Smith v Adrian Lewis be interesting too

Justin Credible Darts · 15-01-2021 7:15am

I have seen people complaining about this comp on forums.

Its always the same bitter twisted bdo lovers who resent the PDC for being successful.
One guy complained there is less people getting money, usually the retarded notion that the players #9 - #16 who were once assured of 5k might only get 2..5k if the lose to the new players added.

The guy was too dense to grasp there is an extra 8 players in the comp.
That is 8 more players getting a pay day
That is 8 extra matches on TV
25 players getting a pay instead of 16
Prizefund gone up by 20k

Yet some people complain.....then bdo fans always hated live darts, and players getting a decent pay day.

Kingp35 · 15-01-2021 11:08am

I think the tournament is a complete an utter waste of time. I don't think I've ever watched a dart thrown in it.

If the PDC are so worried about giving players a pay day, maybe they should make it ranked and give the lower ranked players a chance of qualifying, you know the players that actually NEED an extra pay day, not the top 24 that already make enough money for a living.

boomdocker · 15-01-2021 11:13am

Ah I don't know

Plenty of other sports have invitational tournaments, snooker, golf etc...

At the end of the day it brings the top 24 players together and always interesting to see what the form is like after the world champs - especially with a new world champ and with so many of the so-called top players having bombed in the Worlds eg Smith, Wright, Wade etc..

Plenty of other opportunities during the year for players to qualify for tournaments

Justin Credible Darts · 15-01-2021 12:45pm

Kingp35 wrote: »

I think the tournament is a complete an utter waste of time. I don't think I've ever watched a dart thrown in it.

If the PDC are so worried about giving players a pay day, maybe they should make it ranked and give the lower ranked players a chance of qualifying, you know the players that actually NEED an extra pay day, not the top 24 that already make enough money for a living.

Enlighten me, how is an extra 8 players getting a pay day a waste of time.
I am curious as to your logic to this.

Why is another 8 televised matches a waste of time ? what sort of dart fans dislikes more darts on tv ? Surely more darts on TV, during covid, by the top players would be a good thing not a bad thing.

Maybe it is just me a darts fan, I prefer more darts on TV, Yes it is a non ranked comp, but so is the World Cup, the Premier League, and others.

On the plus side, you are not being forced to watch it, and you can miss this one too like all the others since you obviously dont like it.

Kingp35 · 15-01-2021 12:54pm

I'm all for more darts on TV, providing it's ranked.

There's a case to be made for why the Premier League and the World Series exist. I've no idea why The Masters exists. But since it does and they've now increased it to 24 players, who not allow the other 8 spots go to the top 8 from previous years Pro Tour order of merit and make it a ranked tournament. Or top 6 with two qualifier spots.

Currently it's a nothing tournament with the same old legs format giving a pay day to the players in the PDC that need it the least.

TheChrisD · 15-01-2021 4:25pm

Kingp35 wrote: »

I think the tournament is a complete an utter waste of time. I don't think I've ever watched a dart thrown in it.

I mean, part of that is because it's stuck on ITV4, no? :P

Justin Credible Darts · 15-01-2021 8:10pm

Kingp35 wrote: »

I'm all for more darts on TV, providing it's ranked.

There's a case to be made for why the Premier League and the World Series exist. I've no idea why The Masters exists. But since it does and they've now increased it to 24 players, who not allow the other 8 spots go to the top 8 from previous years Pro Tour order of merit and make it a ranked tournament. Or top 6 with two qualifier spots.

Currently it's a nothing tournament with the same old legs format giving a pay day to the players in the PDC that need it the least.

I have always believed, and still do that certain events, no matter how much money, exposure etc they have will not ever be a "major".

For example the Premier League has (usually pre covid) Major prize money, major exposure, but its not a true major because it cannot be when top 10 players and proven competition winners, are systematically omitted, whilst players who have never won a tv event are included instead.
Add in the event is not ranked and it simply fails to be a major.

That is not to say, the PL does not serve a purpose, in much the same way the World Cup might serve one for another reason.

I agree in that ranking darts are more interesting, or at least for me, and would prefer even a ranking Euro tour to this Masters, but its still darts, its live, its televised, and it is something to watch,
There is also the added bonus that a player who has not been selected for the PL could win this and give the PDC a possible selection problem, if another player not selected goes on to win the UK open.

ArmaniJeanss · 21-01-2021 12:19pm

Kingp35 wrote: »

I'm all for more darts on TV, providing it's ranked.

There's a case to be made for why the Premier League and the World Series exist. I've no idea why The Masters exists. But since it does and they've now increased it to 24 players, who not allow the other 8 spots go to the top 8 from previous years Pro Tour order of merit and make it a ranked tournament. Or top 6 with two qualifier spots.

Currently it's a nothing tournament with the same old legs format giving a pay day to the players in the PDC that need it the least.

Arguably it'd be a little more unfair if was ranked. Not only would they get the payday but the ranking points would count towards future paydays.

I think Top 16 or Top 24 in the world is fine. It still means that everyone had a fair and level shot at qualifying based on their performance over the past two years.
Having the 8 extra places being from the one-year list instead would be fine as well, that's a decent idea.

Much prefer that to your other idea of 2 places being retained for a qualifier tournament. That's akin to the Grand Slam where someone binks a run in one afternoon qualifier tournament and gets a place. That's nice for them but doesn't really tie in with the concept of rankings and long-term merit.

Justin Credible Darts · 21-01-2021 9:34pm

non ranked
has an ex con scumbag on comms
itv is riddled with begging ads, non stop.

but will still watch it,

PTH2009 · 28-01-2021 8:17pm

Have a feeling Price is going out early in this

boomdocker · 29-01-2021 10:42am

PTH2009 wrote: »

Have a feeling Price is going out early in this

I reckon he'll win it

US2 · 29-01-2021 11:12am

I've a feeling mvg will win it with a tournament average of 110

bassy · 29-01-2021 8:57pm

darts is back oi oi oi

Justin Credible Darts · 29-01-2021 9:01pm

Ian Sh1te chokes on tv yet again.

7 years he has played in this comp, and has never won a single game

bassy · 29-01-2021 9:06pm

durrant getting a thrashing by merve

Dillonb3 · 29-01-2021 9:11pm

88 average for Durrant, could have a rough couple of weeks in premier league

Justin Credible Darts · 29-01-2021 9:11pm

Durrant battered again.

for the last 2 years we had to listen to the hype about durrant and be told the lie he was one of the best in the world.
Here is a FACT, he never made it in to the pdc top 10, and now he is defending money it will be even harder.

Merv battered him , a full 13 points higher average.

bassy · 29-01-2021 9:13pm

Justin Credible Darts wrote: »

Durrant battered again.

for the last 2 years we had to listen to the hype about durrant and be told the lie he was one of the best in the world.
Here is a FACT, he never made it in to the pdc top 10, and now he is defending money it will be even harder.

Merv battered him , a full 13 points higher average.

he,s alright he has bought a new house and will make a living from darts

Justin Credible Darts · 29-01-2021 9:18pm

Dont get me wrong, he is a good player, seems a likable lad if a little stupid, but the facts prove he is not a top 10 player, and he most certainly isnt one of the best in the world.

Porthallian · 29-01-2021 10:26pm

Some farcical commentary from Ned Boulting in the Whitlock game. Including calling the match dart when he went 5-2 up! Made lots of other counting errors too.

bassy · 29-01-2021 10:28pm

come on adey

ThebitterLemon · 29-01-2021 10:28pm

Good standard this game.

Stage layout looks poor

TbL

ThebitterLemon · 29-01-2021 10:39pm

As Mason said best Lewis has played in a long time. Good to see him playing consistently well

TbL

boomdocker · 29-01-2021 11:09pm

Just looking at stats from previous Masters
Only 3 yrs ago Benito vd Pas was in this, he's had some slide into obscurity

Justin Credible Darts · 29-01-2021 11:17pm

Porthallian wrote: »

Some farcical commentary from Ned Boulting in the Whitlock game. Including calling the match dart when he went 5-2 up! Made lots of other counting errors too.

Rawling was even as bad, did you not hear him rave about "Glen Anderson" ?

The ex con , wife beating, dole fraudster, and threat issuing Mason came out with some nonsense as well

Porthallian · 29-01-2021 11:20pm

Justin Credible Darts wrote: »

Rawling was even as bad, did you not hear him rave about "Glen Anderson" ?

The ex con , wife beating, dole fraudster, and threat issuing Mason came out with some nonsense as well

As much as we complain about Mardle, at least he knows the players and the scores etc.

Also not a fan of the itv4 advertising. I'll be humming that awful "Play O-jo" jingle in my sleep

bassy · 29-01-2021 11:23pm

big difference is darts is free to watch on itv 4

Justin Credible Darts · 30-01-2021 12:00am

bassy wrote: »

big difference is darts is free to watch on itv 4

with the internet, everything is free to watch

bassy · 30-01-2021 12:04am

Justin Credible Darts wrote: »

with the internet, everything is free to watch

depends on reliability

Johner · 30-01-2021 2:12pm

Merv in good form. Rob Cross has been awful for ages now.

Dillonb3 · 30-01-2021 2:19pm

Johner wrote: »

Merv in good form. Rob Cross has been awful for ages now.

Defending a fair bit of money this year as well, he'll need to really improve his form this year

mdwexford · 30-01-2021 2:31pm

Baffling how Cross has been so inconsistent since his Worlds win.

His semi vs MVG and final against Taylor were probably the best back to back performances I’ve seen at the Worlds. He never gave Taylor a sniff averaging 107.
Since then he has had far more bad days than good. Is it purely a confidence thing I wonder.

SketchyPrince · 30-01-2021 5:06pm

Johner wrote: »

Merv in good form. Rob Cross has been awful for ages now.

Has been awful with a while, wasn't even that good when he won the Matchplay but has really fallen since winning the European Championship.

Just the Last 16 at the Players Championship Finals and a UK Open Quarter Final to show for since then...

bassy · 30-01-2021 8:51pm

well done adey

Dillonb3 · 30-01-2021 8:54pm

He should take confidence with beating Anderson and Smith in the space of a day, badly needs it

ThebitterLemon · 30-01-2021 11:25pm

MvG in the verge of going out!

Form is shocking

TbL

PTH2009 · 30-01-2021 11:29pm

That was a sexy checkout by MVG

Sultan of Bling · 30-01-2021 11:32pm

MVG out

Johner · 30-01-2021 11:33pm

That was an unreal leg under massive pressure by Clayton tbf, serious stuff well deserved win.

Sultan of Bling · 30-01-2021 11:35pm

Johner wrote:

That was an unreal leg under massive pressure by Clayton tbf, serious stuff well deserved win.

It was a fantastic leg of dart from him.

boomdocker · 30-01-2021 11:48pm

Gerwyn Price streets ahead of the rest right now

bassy · 30-01-2021 11:52pm

wright not playing great either

ThebitterLemon · 31-01-2021 2:26pm

Aspinal getting smashed here

TbL

Dillonb3 · 31-01-2021 2:27pm

Think Merv deserves the 10th premier league spot going by his form over last 6 months, destroying Aspinall here

Johner · 31-01-2021 2:29pm

I’m a fan of Merv but not many are tbf. Don’t think he’ll get it unless he wins it.

ThebitterLemon · 31-01-2021 3:03pm

Dillonb3 wrote: »

Think Merv deserves the 10th premier league spot going by his form over last 6 months, destroying Aspinall here

On form Dirk VD would also surely warrant consideration

TbL

Justin Credible Darts · 31-01-2021 4:29pm

Its a disgrace Wade was not picked.

in the last 6 months Wade reached the final of 2 major ranking tv competitioms
Wade is a former Premier League champion
He is not only a top ten player on the way up the rankings, but is the 3rd most successful player in pdc history.

Truth is the PDC dont give a flying fuq about who deserves it, its all about who is their favorites and who is in their little clique.
Why else was Smith a complete choker who won zero in his entire life chosen for years, why was an undeserved barney picked for years ?

boomdocker · 31-01-2021 5:17pm

Great stuff by Jonny the ferret there again

boomdocker · 31-01-2021 5:21pm

Justin Credible Darts wrote: »

Its a disgrace Wade was not picked.

in the last 6 months Wade reached the final of 2 major ranking tv competitioms
Wade is a former Premier League champion
He is not only a top ten player on the way up the rankings, but is the 3rd most successful player in pdc history.

Truth is the PDC dont give a flying fuq about who deserves it, its all about who is their favorites and who is in their little clique.
Why else was Smith a complete choker who won zero in his entire life chosen for years, why was an undeserved barney picked for years ?

Clearly it's about putting bums on seats in big arenas.
Given Barney's popularity no surprise if he gets picked. Does Wade have a huge fan base? No
As previous poster said you could argue that Merv might deserve a place but again not gonna put bums on seats

2021 Masters 29 January ITV4

Comments