Pubs giving away £5,000 in darts challenge

Darts fans can prove themselves as a local talent and walk away with £5,000 in the process. Marston’s pubs has teamed up with darts world number one Luke Humphries to set a nationwide challenge for punters who think they have what it takes to match the skills of a professional.

Players have been tasked with an 'around the clock’ challenge - hitting every number on the board from one to 20, finishing on the bullseye. Those successful in 'The Cool Hand Cup', named after Luke's nickname Cool Hand, will be in with a chance of winning £5,000 and a place at the grand final.

The Cool Hand Cup will take place in more than 700 pubs across the UK. The last chance to get on the leaderboard will be at final throw events on Thursday, March 13.

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The challenge can be attempted by players as many times as they like throughout the competition period. Times must be submitted via a dedicated tournament microsite, where local, regional, and national leaderboards will reveal the best of the best.

The current Darts World No. 1, 2024 World Matchplay Champion and the reigning Players Championship Final Champion, Humphries, will be the first to take on the challenge, setting the time for guests to try and beat. He was 2024 Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Champion and holds 18 senior PDC titles.

The top two players from each regional leaderboard will move on to the grand final. Food, travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by Marston's for them and one guest.

The four players with the fastest times will automatically proceed to the quarter finals, with the remaining eight competing to continue their journey at the grand final. A series of play-offs will determine who will take home the cup and play Luke Humphries in the last match of the night.

The winner will take home £5,000 in cash, £180 Marston’s Love My Local gift card, a set of Luke Humphries Red Dragon darts and the Cool Hand Cup trophy. Second place will receive a £150 Marston’s gift card, third place will receive a £100 Marston’s gift card and all finalists will also receive a set of Luke Humphries Red Dragon darts.

Neil Campbell, chief operating officer at Marston’s, said: “We’ve seen the popularity of darts skyrocket in the last year, with new and exciting breakthrough players and the return of Bullseye. Dart boards are at the heart of so many of our pubs across the UK and we’re so excited to team up with Luke Humphries to give our guests an even bigger reason to visit and try their hand at winning a truly money-can’t-buy prize. Let the games begin!”

You can find your local Marston's pub here.