"There are so many good players – it’s not just the two Lukes": Chris Dobey stresses darts is more than Humphries and Littler

Chris Dobey has made an excellent start to the European Darts Grand Prix with a convincing win over compatriot Andrew Gilding, averaging 98, sharp on the doubles and even throwing seven perfect darts.

It could have been even more spectacular, as he admitted himself, but his opener mainly underlined that the Englishman is in outstanding form as he continues on to face Gerwyn Price at the European Darts Grand Prix.

“It could have been better if the nine-darter had gone in, but as I said on stage, the adrenaline got to me. The crowd were brilliant, and you kind of need to judge that for next time. But yeah, I’m happy with the performance. I played well, and it was a tough game," he said to DartsNews.

His opponent in this match was Andrew Gilding, a player known on the circuit for his unorthodox style and unflappable demeanor. To outsiders, Gilding sometimes seems almost immune to pressure, which makes him a particularly tricky opponent.

Dobey, who has played Gilding for years, knows exactly how unique that experience is. “Everybody’s got their own style, and his is very different to anyone else’s. I found it hard to adjust to when I first started playing him quite a lot of years ago, but I gradually got used to it and learned to deal with it a lot better.”

Gilding’s tempo, rhythm and body language differ from what many darters are used to. That can disrupt your game, especially for players who rely heavily on their own flow. “Take nothing away from him – he’s a fantastic player. I wouldn’t change anything about him. He’s got a great action, it’s his own style. Not many people like it, but it’s the way he throws. He’s a fantastic player, and a good lad as well.”

Dobey had already started his week perfectly by winning Players Championship 9. That title visibly boosted his confidence heading into this tournament. In darts, where form and confidence are closely linked, a win like that can make the difference.

“Yeah, of course you do. When you’re playing good stuff, you’ve got to bring that with you. I’m coming in here in good form. I probably could have done a bit better in the next one – I lost in the quarter-finals the following day – but yeah, I’m coming in with good form. It’s about time I proved it and got one of these won.”

He now wants to convert that confidence on the bigger stage. “It’s about time I proved it and got one of these won.”

Looking at Dobey’s career, it’s clear he has already achieved a lot. He is a major champion, has dominated multiple floor events and even appeared on the prestigious Premier League Darts stage. Yet one key title is still missing from his résumé: a European Tour victory.

Dobey is fully aware of that. “Yeah, I think that is the next step – winning on the European Tour. You want to compete with the elite, you want to win a major, a European Tour, and Players Championship titles.”

For him, it’s now mainly about confirming his quality on television and on the big stages. “But to start dominating on TV and putting in good performances on stage, I think that’s the next step for me – getting back to my best.”

An interesting aspect of the current darts landscape is the dominance of Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, who have claimed many major titles in recent times. Their absence at this tournament naturally raises the question of whether players like Dobey see their chances increase.

Dobey remains level-headed. “Yeah, I think everybody feels the same. It’s nice when they’re in the tournament as well, because if you win it with them there, you know you’ve done a great job.”

At the same time, he stresses that the circuit is much broader than just those two names. “But there are so many good players – it’s not just the two Lukes.”

He cites Gerwyn Price, Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen among those who can strike any given week. He is particularly emphatic about Van Veen. “He’s number three in the world and doesn’t get talked about as much as he should, because he’s a fantastic player.”

In a field packed with quality, it ultimately comes down to seizing opportunities — especially when a few top stars are missing. Dobey knows that better than most. “Whoever’s missing, you’ve got to take your opportunity, and hopefully my weekend is this weekend.”