"If O'Connor wins and Ratajski loses, all three are equal" - Raymond van Barneveld scrambling for last-gasp World Grand Prix qualification

In the most recent episode of the Darts Draait Door podcast, Damian Vlottes and Vincent van der Voort took a look at Raymond van Barneveld's play at the 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy, where he impressed, especially in his match against Dave Chisnall. Then the exciting battle for the last qualification spot for the World Grand Prix was discussed, where 'Barney' still has a serious chance. Finally, the recent suspension of Rusty-Jake Rodriguez was discussed.

"Let's start on a positive note," said Vlottes. "Because, of course, he won first on Friday. And then he won Saturday." The game looked fresh, the rhythm was higher, and against Dave Chisnall, Van Barneveld showed the version of himself that fans want to see: "Just 6-1 down as a little guy. Just 108 average. Again, that was really how you want to see Raymond." His changing pace also stood out. "He needs to play a little faster," Van der Voort summed up. "To be more positive. There needs to be a little more adrenaline in it. Running a little faster and everything. He picked it all up well."

Sunday, however, was less successful. "Then it's already falling back a bit. I spoke to him this morning, but then it also has a bit to do with energy. Of course, he is 58," Van der Voort concluded soberly. At this stage, training volume is less relevant than recovery. "You can throw for three, four hours, but I think an hour, an hour and a half is enough for Raymond right now. And that resting - that he has more use for that. Again, this shouldn't backfire too quickly. You have to follow through on this now. You're on the right track, but you still have a long way to go."

The shadow side of the weekend gets a name that sticks in the studio: the "triple Barney-attack. The scenario: losing to Gerwyn Price, then a withdrawal by Price, and then a tournament victory for Niko Springer, which means there is now one less spot to share toward the World Grand Prix. "Obviously, nobody was counting on that," Van der Voort said. "Then you have the triple Barney-attack."

The gaze turns to the qualifying stage for the World Grand Prix. The four names to keep an eye on next weekend, according to the gentlemen, are Krzysztof Ratajski, William O'Connor and Raymond van Barneveld. Andrew Gilding appears secure with £75,000 and 15th place on the Pro Tour Order of Merit. Ratajski follows with £72,000 and occupies the final spot, entitling him to entry at spot 16. Below that follow O'Connor, Van Barneveld, and even Niels Zonneveld at just a few thousand pounds.

So it's going to be tough math for all these gentlemen in Switzerland. "Suppose O'Connor wins a match and Van Barneveld wins a match, and Ratajski loses evenly, then all three are even. Then in any case O'Connor goes to the World Grand Prix, then on countback he has won the most." In plain language: on equal sums of prize money, recent form - measured in deeper runs - is the deciding factor. The message is simple: "The real issue is that O'Connor loses his first match. If both Ratajski and O'Connor go down in round one, Raymond needs to win one round and he's there."

That sounds straightforward, but it's never that easy. You have to get lucky with the draw, and that's exactly where a psychological minefield lurks. "That's pretty tough pitching, too," Van der Voort says. "Because then you're not only concerned with yourself. You can say, 'I'm only throwing my own tournament,' but if you're just sitting in your hotel room and your competitor is busy ... then you still want to know what he did."

Moreover, those same competitors may cross paths: "O'Connor could come up against Van Veen, Nijman, Aspinall, or against Raymond himself. Actually, you just have to hope he loots him. Then you have it all ... well, reasonably in your own hands."

Niels Zonneveld also passes the review, but his chances are a lot smaller. "I think he has to go for a quarterfinal, a semifinal. I don't think a quarter is enough. With what's going to happen ... he does need to get to a semifinal." With that, he points to a missed opportunity earlier this year: "That final against (Sebastian) Bialecki on the Pro Tour... that may have been a very expensive one."

Then it turns to another serious topic. Rusty-Jake Rodriguez is temporarily suspended because of a failed drugs test. Facts are scarce, and the gentlemen don't want to speculate. "You hear some things, but yeah ... I don't know if you should name that then," he said. Reference is made to Dom Taylor, who was suspended "for a few months" and missed major tournaments as a result. The lesson is simple: responsibility lies with the player. "Even if you're on medication, you shouldn't just take anything. You should just inform your doctor."

Van der Voort then spoke from his own experience: he uses blood pressure medication and had to get it approved through the proper form - the familiar TUE route. "I happened to get an email just last week. Whether I was planning to play again, because then you have to fill it out again every year or every two years. Then you have to have your doctor fill out a form like that."

Whether ignorance is an excuse? "Of course it could be," he acknowledges. "But if you're on medication, you should always still be sensible enough to realise: okay, can I have this? Is this on the doping list or not?"

But what could be the point of drugs in darts? Stamina, stress and maintaining your focus are all factors that can be influenced. "We just talked about Raymond being a little dazed.... If he would take some tablets or some dings there," Van der Voort said half jokingly, half seriously. "But we don't suspect him, just to be clear."

The timing of drug tests are also not always ideal, according to the former professional darts player. Van der Voort himself once lost after such a check in the semifinals of the UK Open against James Wade, simply because preparation time and recovery fell away: "You can't eat, because you're not allowed to... While you're making a mental effort. Then you're just hungry afterwards."

The most familiar image is that of the "cup" in a small cubicle - and an inspector who must be watching. "I just don't like it that much when there's a man watching next to you," Van der Voort confesses. "At a certain point I notice that more and more I have my back to him. And he also stands turning with me all the time," he says, laughing.

Finally, the gentlemen point out that unions sometimes also look at timing when imposing suspensions. Not to punish extra, but rather to prevent a player from conveniently avoiding the consequences. "They do often suspend tactically," Van der Voort said. In Rodriguez's case, a break around mid-November - when European qualifying for the World Cup takes place - would have far-reaching consequences. "Then we probably won't see him again until next year. Merry Christmas," it sounds.

The same was true earlier with Wessel Nijman, who also missed Q-School exactly because of the length of his sanction. After serving your punishment, however, there should also be room to return. "Eventually it will be forgotten," Van der Voort said of Nijman. "Just a fine guy. Just playing a tournament. Made a mistake. Period."