2016 PDC World Grand Prix Qualification

[Ginge]

Its not as if there are 4 Irish spots like in the old days, 2 is probably fine.

It's still a backdoor into many events they wouldn't normally qualify for historically.

I suppose the precedent has now been set by taking away 8 guaranteed extra Euro players from the European Championships, so yes maybe it's now time time to get rid of the Irish spots as well on the same basis.

[Murphio]

Its not as if there are 4 Irish spots like in the old days, 2 is probably fine.

It's still a backdoor into many events they wouldn't normally qualify for historically.

It's a marketing strategy for this particular event - the same as the Grand Slam offers several places to players who wouldn't normally qualify for a ranked event. People complain about a lack of variety - here is an event which offers a chance through a different qualifying criteria to two local players to be cheered on by local fans. It's damnded if you do, damnded if you don't.

[The Jolly Man]

Its not as if there are 4 Irish spots like in the old days, 2 is probably fine.

It's still a backdoor into many events they wouldn't normally qualify for historically.

It's a marketing strategy for this particular event - the same as the Grand Slam offers several places to players who wouldn't normally qualify for a ranked event. People complain about a lack of variety - here is an event which offers a chance through a different qualifying criteria to two local players to be cheered on by local fans. It's damnded if you do, damnded if you don't.

I see what you are saying but this is a world event where you want the best of the best. If they want to help Irish players out put a euro tour event there.

[Murphio]

Its not as if there are 4 Irish spots like in the old days, 2 is probably fine.

It's still a backdoor into many events they wouldn't normally qualify for historically.

It's a marketing strategy for this particular event - the same as the Grand Slam offers several places to players who wouldn't normally qualify for a ranked event. People complain about a lack of variety - here is an event which offers a chance through a different qualifying criteria to two local players to be cheered on by local fans. It's damnded if you do, damnded if you don't.

I see what you are saying but this is a world event where you want the best of the best. If they want to help Irish players out put a euro tour event there.

It's not about 'helping Irish players'. It is an event based in Dublin and they want to secure local interest. It's about marketing. If the argument here is to apply unilateral qualifying critera across all ranked tournaments then that is the BDO interest in the Grand Slam ended there and then.

[Booji Boy]

Its not as if there are 4 Irish spots like in the old days, 2 is probably fine.

It's still a backdoor into many events they wouldn't normally qualify for historically.

It's a marketing strategy for this particular event - the same as the Grand Slam offers several places to players who wouldn't normally qualify for a ranked event. People complain about a lack of variety - here is an event which offers a chance through a different qualifying criteria to two local players to be cheered on by local fans. It's damnded if you do, damnded if you don't.

I see what you are saying but this is a world event where you want the best of the best. If they want to help Irish players out put a euro tour event there.

It's not about 'helping Irish players'. It is an event based in Dublin and they want to secure local interest. It's about marketing. If the argument here is to apply unilateral qualifying critera across all ranked tournaments then that is the BDO interest in the Grand Slam ended there and then.

I think the marketing argument is a bit weak and pointless these days, not to say it wasnt useful in the past.

They manage to sell out the PL darts in Dublin without any Irish lads playing in it.

[Ginge]

It's still a backdoor into many events they wouldn't normally qualify for historically.

It's a marketing strategy for this particular event - the same as the Grand Slam offers several places to players who wouldn't normally qualify for a ranked event. People complain about a lack of variety - here is an event which offers a chance through a different qualifying criteria to two local players to be cheered on by local fans. It's damnded if you do, damnded if you don't.

I see what you are saying but this is a world event where you want the best of the best. If they want to help Irish players out put a euro tour event there.

It's not about 'helping Irish players'. It is an event based in Dublin and they want to secure local interest. It's about marketing. If the argument here is to apply unilateral qualifying critera across all ranked tournaments then that is the BDO interest in the Grand Slam ended there and then.

I think the marketing argument is a bit weak and pointless these days, not to say it wasnt useful in the past.

They manage to sell out the PL darts in Dublin without any Irish lads playing in it.

A seven session darts event 12 (?) miles outside of Dublin in a room which is far too big is a much harder sell than the PL.

[Booji Boy]

It's a marketing strategy for this particular event - the same as the Grand Slam offers several places to players who wouldn't normally qualify for a ranked event. People complain about a lack of variety - here is an event which offers a chance through a different qualifying criteria to two local players to be cheered on by local fans. It's damnded if you do, damnded if you don't.

I see what you are saying but this is a world event where you want the best of the best. If they want to help Irish players out put a euro tour event there.

It's not about 'helping Irish players'. It is an event based in Dublin and they want to secure local interest. It's about marketing. If the argument here is to apply unilateral qualifying critera across all ranked tournaments then that is the BDO interest in the Grand Slam ended there and then.

I think the marketing argument is a bit weak and pointless these days, not to say it wasnt useful in the past.

They manage to sell out the PL darts in Dublin without any Irish lads playing in it.

A seven session darts event 12 (?) miles outside of Dublin in a room which is far too big is a much harder sell than the PL.

Do you believe having the irish lads in it helps to sell tickets?

[Murphio]

It's still a backdoor into many events they wouldn't normally qualify for historically.

It's a marketing strategy for this particular event - the same as the Grand Slam offers several places to players who wouldn't normally qualify for a ranked event. People complain about a lack of variety - here is an event which offers a chance through a different qualifying criteria to two local players to be cheered on by local fans. It's damnded if you do, damnded if you don't.

I see what you are saying but this is a world event where you want the best of the best. If they want to help Irish players out put a euro tour event there.

It's not about 'helping Irish players'. It is an event based in Dublin and they want to secure local interest. It's about marketing. If the argument here is to apply unilateral qualifying critera across all ranked tournaments then that is the BDO interest in the Grand Slam ended there and then.

I think the marketing argument is a bit weak and pointless these days, not to say it wasnt useful in the past.

They manage to sell out the PL darts in Dublin without any Irish lads playing in it.

The opening sessions (when the Irish lads will be featuring) struggle with sales as it is. I very much doubt we are going to see the removal of something which creates interest among locals. The Irish angle is one of the selling points of the event. They introduce early rounds to Irish music and Sky have a camera fixed outside Temple Bar. That's just the flavour of the event - I see no real argument for changing the critera - if anything the PDC should perhaps look to mix qualification up for other events a bit further to avoid the kind of repetitiveness people on here complain about.

[Ginge]

I see what you are saying but this is a world event where you want the best of the best. If they want to help Irish players out put a euro tour event there.

It's not about 'helping Irish players'. It is an event based in Dublin and they want to secure local interest. It's about marketing. If the argument here is to apply unilateral qualifying critera across all ranked tournaments then that is the BDO interest in the Grand Slam ended there and then.

I think the marketing argument is a bit weak and pointless these days, not to say it wasnt useful in the past.

They manage to sell out the PL darts in Dublin without any Irish lads playing in it.

A seven session darts event 12 (?) miles outside of Dublin in a room which is far too big is a much harder sell than the PL.

Do you believe having the irish lads in it helps to sell tickets?

Yes but not loads. People will go for the big names more than the Irish names, IMO.

[Murphio]

It's not about 'helping Irish players'. It is an event based in Dublin and they want to secure local interest. It's about marketing. If the argument here is to apply unilateral qualifying critera across all ranked tournaments then that is the BDO interest in the Grand Slam ended there and then.

I think the marketing argument is a bit weak and pointless these days, not to say it wasnt useful in the past.

They manage to sell out the PL darts in Dublin without any Irish lads playing in it.

A seven session darts event 12 (?) miles outside of Dublin in a room which is far too big is a much harder sell than the PL.

Do you believe having the irish lads in it helps to sell tickets?

Yes but not loads. People will go for the big names more than the Irish names, IMO.

I remember when Jacko Barry played Barney he had loads of friends and family there supporting him. Atmosphere was top class and I dont think you'd have got that with say Barney v Gerwen Price.

[Ginge]

The problem the event has is the venue is too big, more than anything.

[Murphio]

Worth noting that when Brendan Dolan got to the final - hitting the first double in nine darter en route - he hadn't qualified 'by right' (as it were). He was one of the two Irish qualifers.

[foggs3355]

The problem the event has is the venue is too big, more than anything.

the old venu in city west they used it be good go back to there it was like the circus tavern i think it looks better than 2-3 full we get n some session with current one

[ifm]

I'd cut it to to just the one Irish qualifier and I would give the other spot to the top or highest non qualified player from the development tour to give the youth extra incentive and bring a new face onto the tv.

Yeah even more for the bloody development tour ffs

[spaceman70]

I'd cut it to to just the one Irish qualifier and I would give the other spot to the top or highest non qualified player from the development tour to give the youth extra incentive and bring a new face onto the tv.

Yeah even more for the bloody development tour ffs

^^^^^seething.

The development tour are the stars of the future, not the challenge tour.

[ifm]

I'd cut it to to just the one Irish qualifier and I would give the other spot to the top or highest non qualified player from the development tour to give the youth extra incentive and bring a new face onto the tv.

Yeah even more for the bloody development tour ffs

^^^^^seething.

The development tour are the stars of the future, not the challenge tour.

It is the poor cousin of the PDC, 4 weekends per year?
I think it's long overdue an expansion though i suspect time in the calendar may be the issue.

[ifm]

I'd cut it to to just the one Irish qualifier and I would give the other spot to the top or highest non qualified player from the development tour to give the youth extra incentive and bring a new face onto the tv.

Yeah even more for the bloody development tour ffs

^^^^^seething.

The development tour are the stars of the future, not the challenge tour.

They are very well looked after, 8 weekends per year.

[ifm]

For me it's in the same area as wildcards, people in events that haven't earned the right to be there.

[Deleted User]

For me it's in the same area as wildcards, people in events that haven't earned the right to be there.

What about wildcard qualifying events for things like the GSOD?

A fan or not?

[Ginge]

For me it's in the same area as wildcards, people in events that haven't earned the right to be there.

What about wildcard qualifying events for things like the GSOD?

A fan or not?

At least they have to win a few matches in a qualifying event, rather than being parachuted straight into an event because they are a "name". Hello, Messers Fordham, O'Shea and Hankey!

Saying that, 8 spots for the PDC qualifying event at the GSoD was far far too many last time out.