172 hopefuls head to the Reebok Stadium on Thursday for the fast and furious 'FA Cup of Darts' that is the UK Open.
FA Cup of Darts starts on Thursday, live on Sky Sports
It's the cup of dreams for wannabe darts stars, as 172 hopefuls head to the Reebok Stadium on Thursday with the very real chance of coming face-to-face with their heroes in the Speedy Hire UK Open.
'The FA Cup of Darts' offers anyone the chance to make it in the big time, with 64 amateur qualifiers coming from events held at Speedy Hire Superstores and Rileys Darts Zones making it through to the final stages.
Thursday night will see the preliminary, first and second-round stages, meaning all but the top 32 in the UK Open Order of Merit will be taking part - with the big guns entering the action on Friday in a completely open draw format.
Defending champion Phil Taylor, Premier League winner Gary Anderson and world titlist Adrian Lewis enter the fray on Friday, but the open draw means they could face each other at any moment.
The £200,000 event is as frenetic as it comes, with eight boards of constant action in the early rounds making even the most experienced player's head spin, while a short dash to four legs makes early upsets almost inevitable.
Wade in action
With the amount of tungsten being flung around it is hard to keep track at times, and it will be interesting to see how 2009 champion and world No.4 James Wade gets on as he headlines Thursday night's action.
The left-hander, who has had his personal problems, is the biggest name in action on Thursday as he faces Co Durham gardener Davey Dodds - who came through the qualifiers.
"I've had a good break since the end of the Premier League Darts season and am looking forward to trying my best to win a second UK Open," said Wade.
"I don't know anything about Davey to be honest but he's obviously a top-quality player to have qualified, so I'll have to prepare right."
There are plenty of other big names in action on Thursday, with 2004 UK Open champion Roland Scholten taking on Essex-based qualifier Kevin Edwards, while the flamboyant Wayne Mardle is hoping to make a return to the big time as he plays debutant Darrin Pugh.
More great stories from the opening rounds include former world No.1 Peter Manley taking on former Widnes rugby league player John Bowles, who qualified in Bolton to return to the tournament.
Big names
"I really enjoyed it last year and I'm looking forward to getting on stage against Peter," said Bowles. "I've played alongside some big names before and I've got the experience behind me too from last year."
Another former world number one and double major winner, Colin Lloyd, is in action Thursday in what could be the tie of the first round against former Lakeside world champion Jelle Klaasen.
Belgium's Rocco Maes is glad just to be able to take his place on the oche against qualifier Colin Appleton, after he managed to recover from head and leg injuries he suffered in a bike accident in time to head to Bolton.
Even after Thursday's action the excitement continues with the draw for the third round taking place with the top 32 all thrown into the hat alongside the night's winners which could produce some huge matches for Friday.
