“Before he plays, he always sniffs smelling salts” – Luke Woodhouse unveils unusual ritual of fellow darter

“Before he plays, he always sniffs smelling salts” – Luke Woodhouse unveils unusual ritual of fellow darter

 

 

Darts is a game of fine margins, steely nerve and obsessive preparation – and according to Luke Woodhouse, some players will try just about anything to gain an edge at the oche.

The former World Championship quarter-finalist has lifted the lid on one of the more unusual pre-match routines on the professional circuit, revealing that a fellow darter regularly uses smelling salts before stepping up to throw.

“Before he plays, he always sniffs smelling salts,” Woodhouse said, smiling as he recalled the ritual. “You see him just before he’s about to go on stage – quick sniff, eyes light up, and then he’s straight into game mode.”

While smelling salts are more commonly associated with boxers, rugby players or American football athletes looking for an instant jolt of alertness, their appearance in darts might surprise fans who view the sport as a calmer, more methodical contest.

But Woodhouse insists that routines – no matter how strange they appear – are part and parcel of life on the professional tour.

“Everyone’s got something,” he explained. “Some lads have to line their darts up perfectly the same way every time, some listen to the same song on repeat, some won’t step on the oche until they’ve done a certain number of practice throws. This is just his thing.”

The 36-year-old admitted that the pressures of televised darts can drive players to seek comfort in habits that help them feel in control, particularly when walking out under bright lights and in front of thousands of fans.

“It’s not just throwing darts at a board,” Woodhouse said. “You’re dealing with noise, expectations, cameras in your face. Anything that helps you switch on mentally, you’re going to stick with it.”

Asked whether the smelling salts actually make a difference, Woodhouse laughed. “He swears by them. Whether it’s the salts or just the belief they work, I don’t know. But confidence is massive in this game. If you think you’re ready, half the battle’s won.”

Woodhouse himself prefers a more understated approach, focusing on breathing and rhythm rather than external stimulants. Still, he has no issue with others experimenting.

“As long as it’s legal and it works for you, crack on,” he said. “Darts is such a personal sport. What works for one player might completely throw another off.”

The revelation offers fans a glimpse behind the scenes of the PDC tour, where superstitions and rituals are as much a part of the landscape as walk-on music and high-pressure finishes.

And while smelling salts may not become the next big trend at the oche, Woodhouse’s story underlines a simple truth about elite sport: when the margins are razor-thin, players will cling to anything that gives them a sense of readiness – even if it makes a few eyebrows rise along the way.