"The Power," "Snakebite," and "Jackpot." Sooner or later, every PDC darts player receives a nickname or competition name after achieving a certain status. These names are often suggested by the PDC as an idea or have a completely different connotation. We'd like to show you a few of the most well-known examples here and explain how these darts players got their nicknames. The darts players' nicknames have now become a true trademark. Part of the fascination with darts and darts players is also evoked by these affectionate nicknames.
Raymond “Barney” van Barneveld
Every darts fan knows him. Raymond van Barneveld is arguably the most successful darts player of all time after Phil Taylor – so far. Van Barneveld's nickname isn't a coincidence either. While "Barney" is ultimately just a shortened form of his full surname, the nickname has proven to be one of the most popular among fans. For this reason, the Dutchman's fans call themselves the "Barney Army."
Gary “The Flying Scotsman” Anderson
Gary Anderson used to be nicknamed "Dream Boy." However, this has long since changed with his rapid rise in the PDC. Today, every darts fan knows the Scottish darts player as "The Flying Scotsman." His nickname is a reference to the name of the fastest train service between London and Edinburgh , which has operated since 1923. His nickname is often mistakenly understood as a reference to the Flying Dutchman .
Alan “Chuck” Norris
Who would be more fitting for the nickname "Chuck" than Alan Norris? The connection is, of course, easy to see. Thanks to Hollywood action star Chuck Norris, Alan Norris also received the nickname Chuck in the PDC.
Jelle “The Cobra” Klaasen
Jelle Klaasen hasn't been nicknamed "The Cobra" for very long. There were good reasons for this: Jelle Klaasen was particularly known for his fast throwing rhythm, which initially earned him the nickname "Jelle de Snelle." He was also known as "The Matador" for a while before "The Cobra" became his trademark in 2014. There's a deeper meaning here, too, because although Klaasen is Dutch, he has Indonesian roots. Since the cobra also originates from Indonesia, Klaasen's nickname fits his heritage very well.
James “The Machine” Wade
The younger generation probably only knows darts player James Wade by his nickname "The Machine." However, Wade had several nicknames in his early days. The Gladiator, 009, No Nickname, and Spectacular were just a few of his former nicknames. James Wade has kept the nickname "The Machine" for eleven years now – partly because he actually hits the double 10 like a machine.
Michael “The Bully Boy” Smith
Michael Smith is still part of the relatively young generation in darts . This is precisely why the 2019 World Championship finalist earned the nickname "Bully Boy." In an interview, the English darts player explained his nickname by saying that he was attacked by a calf on a farm.
Adrian “Jackpot” Lewis
The story of the nickname Adrian Lewis is probably one of the most spectacular of all. At a tournament in Las Vegas, Lewis thought he could spend some free time in the casino. There, Lewis literally hit the jackpot on a one-armed bandit and would have won $75,000. But he was far from it, because in the USA, gambling in casinos is only permitted for those aged 21 and over. However, Lewis was younger at the time and therefore did not receive the money. A curious yet humorous story that earned Lewis the nickname "Jackpot."
Phil “The Power” Taylor
Phil Taylor actually came by his nickname "The Power" by chance. Taylor didn't actually choose the name himself. Rather, it was an English TV personality who gave Taylor the name. Peter George stepped on the SNAP! CD box of the same name in a dark room and then gave Taylor the name.
Simon “The Wizard” Whitlock
With Simon Whitlock, it's not really necessary to consider the origin of his nickname. Upon closer inspection, Whitlock certainly resembles great wizard characters from films like "The Lord of the Rings" or "Harry Potter." It quickly became clear that Simon Whitlock, with his long mane and distinctive beard, could only be called one: The Wizard.
Peter “Snakebite” Wright
Of course, darts player Peter "Snakebite" Wright couldn't be left out of this list. His nickname comes from the drink of the same name, "Snakebite" – a mixture of cider and beer. For Wright in particular, his nickname has now become a trademark, so much so that the flamboyant eccentric has a hissing snake painted on the side of his head during many television appearances.
Michael “Mighty Mike” van Gerwen
Of course, the world number one couldn't be left out of this list. Hardly any other darts player's nickname fits his playing style so well. Michael van Gerwen earned his current nickname as a result of his dominant, emotional, and sometimes even intimidating performance on stage.
For you, we have listed the top 32 PDC darts players with their respective nicknames:
| 1 | Michael van Gerwen | Mighty Mike |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Rob Cross | The Voltage |
| 3 | Peter Wright | Snakebite |
| 4 | Gary Anderson | The Flying Scotsman |
| 5 | Daryl Gurney | Super Chin |
| 6 | Michael Smith | Bully Boy |
| 7 | Gerwyn Price | Iceman |
| 8 | Mensur Suljovic | The Gentle |
| 9 | Simon Whitlock | The Wizard |
| 10 | James Wade | The Machine |
| 11 | Ian White | Diamond |
| 12 | Dave Chisnall | Chizzy |
| 13 | Darren Webster | Demolition Man |
| 14 | Adrian Lewis | jackpot |
| 15 | Joe Cullen | Rockstar |
| 16 | Jonny Clayton | The Ferret |
| 17 | Stephen Bunting | The Bullet |
| 18 | Mervyn King | The King |
| 19 | Steve West | Simplay |
| 20 | John Henderson | The Highlander |
| 21 | Steve Beaton | The Bronzed Adonis |
| 22 | Kim Huybrechts | The Hurricane |
| 23 | Kyle Anderson | The Original |
| 24 | Alan Norris | Chuck |
| 25 | James Wilson | Lethal Biscuit |
| 26 | Jamie Lewis | Rasta |
| 27 | Jelle Klaasen | The Cobra |
| 28 | Raymond van Barneveld | Barney |
| 29 | Jermaine Wattimena | The Machine Gun |
| 30 | Benito van de Pas | Big Ben |
| 31 | Christ the King | The Spartan |
| 32 | Max Hopp | Maximizer |
The stories of dart players nicknames make it
We hope we've been able to inspire you darts players a little if you're still searching for suitable nicknames for your darts team . The stories behind how some of these nicknames come about are part of what makes darts so special. There are some things that simply don't need to be explained. If you'd like to see the players live on TV, it's worth signing up for a free month's trial with DAZN !
Ready to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of darts? Discover the secrets, tactics, and captivating stories behind this exciting sport. Click in now and become a darts enthusiast!
- The PDC Q-School is the first step to a darts career. No talented player can avoid participating in PDC Q-School.
- Read the exclusive success story of Phil Taylor , the English darts player "The Power"! Learn more about his titles and 9-darters at the PDC
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