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View the comprehensive list of all 16 Ally Pally nine-darters, including exact checkout combinations, opponent scores, and match rounds in our dedicated player records index.
View All 16 Ally Pally Nine-Darters →1990: Paul Lim and the First World Championship Nine-Darter
Before the PDC was formed, the global standard for perfection was established on 9 January 1990 at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green. Representing the United States, Singapore-born Paul Lim stepped to the oche in the second round of the BDO World Championship against Jack McKenna.
Lim landed back-to-back 180s before coolly pinning Treble 20, Treble 19, and Double 12 on his final visit. The crowd erupted, referee Martin Fitzmaurice called the immortal game-shot, and Lim earned a historic £52,000 bonus prize—a windfall larger than the £24,000 champion's prize collected by Phil Taylor that year.
"I just told myself: 'Don't snatch it.' When that double 12 went in, it changed my life forever."
The 14-Year Drought: The Circus Tavern Curse (1994–2007)
When the top 16 players broke away to form the World Darts Council (later PDC) in 1993, expectations were immense that the game's greatest talents would regularly replicate Lim's feat on the new stage at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex.
Instead, a mystifying drought unfolded. Between Dennis Priestley's maiden title in 1994 and Raymond van Barneveld's epic sudden-death victory over Phil Taylor on New Year's Day 2007, not a single nine-darter was thrown in 14 tournaments at the Circus Tavern.
Despite Phil Taylor dominating the era with scoring averages frequently topping 105 and 107, and despite hundreds of attempts reaching six perfect darts, the final double remained elusive in Purfleet. The Circus Tavern closed its darts chapter in 2007 with its nine-dart register completely blank.
The Alexandra Palace Renaissance: Breaking the Seal (2009–Present)
When the championship moved to Alexandra Palace in December 2007, it took just two editions for the curse to break. On 2 January 2009, Raymond van Barneveld struck the first PDC World Championship nine-darter in his quarter-final clash with Jelle Klaasen.
Barney's breakthrough uncorked a golden era of perfection. To date, 16 nine-darters have been achieved on the Alexandra Palace stage, making it the most prolific nine-dart venue in world championship history.
The first PDC World Championship nine-darter in history, ending the 15-year tournament wait.
Barney becomes the first player in history to hit two World Championship nine-darters.
The first nine-darter ever hit in a World Championship final, struck in the opening set of his title victory.
The first tournament featuring two separate nine-darters in the same event.
Borland hits an electric sudden-death nine-darter to win a match in a deciding leg, sparking Ally Pally delirium.
"The Greatest Leg in Darts History"—MVG misses D12 for a nine-darter, Smith hits D12 on the very next visit.
Anatomy of Perfection: Mathematical Combinations
From a starting score of 501, there are 3,944 theoretically possible nine-dart combinations. However, under elite tournament conditions, professional players stick almost exclusively to two proven tactical pathways:
| Route | Turn 1 | Turn 2 | Turn 3 (Checkout) | Frequency at Ally Pally |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Traditional 141 Route | T20, T20, T20 (180) | T20, T20, T20 (180) | T20, T19, D12 (141) | Over 85% of all tournament 9-darters |
| The 144 Route | T20, T20, T20 (180) | T20, T20, T20 (180) | T20, T20, D12 (144) | Rarely attempted (requires 8 consecutive T20s) |
| The 147 Bullseye Route | T20, T20, T20 (180) | T20, T20, T20 (180) | T20, T17, Bull (147) | Used when players prefer the 50mm bullseye target |
Read more about dartboard dimensions and segment values in our official 501 Darts Rules & Board Dimensions Guide.
Prize Bonuses: From Golden Cars to Charity Pledges
The financial incentives for achieving stage perfection have evolved dramatically:
- 1990 (Paul Lim): £52,000 cash bonus sponsored by M&B Brewery, dwarfing the tournament champion's purse.
- PDC Early Years: Traditional £25,000 to £50,000 cash bonuses were common for televised nine-dart finishes.
- Rolling PDC Bonus: For several seasons, the PDC instituted a £5,000 rolling bonus per event that accumulated until struck.
- Charity Pledges & Fan Incentives: In recent years, title sponsors such as Selco, Cazoo, and Paddy Power have introduced creative promotions, donating £50,000 to prostate cancer charities, providing £100,000 fan giveaways, or offering player incentives.
- 2026/27 Status: Check official updates in our Prize Money & Bonus Breakdown to see if a dedicated nine-dart sponsor bonus is active for the upcoming championship.