How do television cameras at the World Darts Championship always seem to know exactly where the next dart is heading? It’s a question many fans have asked — and if you’ve ever wondered yourself, you’re certainly not alone.
Over the years, some viewers have suggested broadcasts run on a slight delay, giving directors time to choose the right camera angle. That theory, however, is wide of the mark. In reality, there’s a specialist behind the scenes whose sole job is to make it happen.
That person is known as the spotter, one of the most important — and least understood — figures in televised darts. A spotter’s role is to tell the production team where the next dart is likely to land before it’s even thrown. And it’s no easy task, especially during fast-paced matches involving players like Ricky Evans.
One of the spotters working at this year’s World Darts Championship, Owen Binks, has given fans a rare behind-the-scenes insight into how the job works.
“This is how you see the World Championship live on Sky Sports,” Binks explained while showing footage from the production truck. “This is what we’ve got for you.”
Speaking to Dutch outlet Het Nieuwsblad, Binks lifted the lid on what he described as one of the toughest roles in sport.
“Even many darts fans have no idea my job exists,” he said. “A darts spotter works in the production room with the director and tells the cameras what to focus on during each throw.
“We give the instructions and everyone else follows them. TV directors often don’t fully understand darts, so they trust what we say. That gives us some power — but also a lot of pressure. You’re responsible.”
Binks admitted the role demands lightning-fast thinking.
“I can say it’s a tough job — much harder than being a referee,” he added. “Referees usually have the answer in front of them and a few seconds to think. As a spotter, I have to think faster than the players themselves.
“You have to anticipate what they’ll do based on habits, experience, standard checkout routes and even where they’re looking. You can often tell from a player’s eyes where they’re aiming, but even then it’s not simple.
“We’ve had people try it who wanted to become spotters, but they quickly realised it’s not for them. Even world-class players have tried — but they often think about what they would do, not what the player on stage will actually do. That’s a big difference.”
Former BDO world champion Keith Deller, one of the most recognisable spotters in the sport, has also spoken openly about the demands of the role.
“When you see a player needing, say, 106, you’re thinking ‘treble 20, single 14, double 16’ and you tell the cameras and director where you expect them to go,” Deller explained in an interview with The Star.
“I’ve probably been one of the longest-serving spotters ever. I’m at all the big tournaments, feeling the atmosphere. It’s a brilliant job — but it’s hard. Commentators can guess a route and, if they’re wrong, it doesn’t really matter. But if I get it wrong, the camera’s on the wrong place.”
Deller added that certain players make the job even more challenging.
“You’ve got to stay alert with players like Jonny Clayton, who often does his own thing. And when someone like Michael Smith is throwing quickly, you really have to be on your toes.
“It’s about knowing all the combinations and, most importantly, not panicking. If someone needs 25, many go nine and double eight — but you’ve also got to be thinking, ‘what if they hit a 12?’ When players are quick, you don’t have time to catch up.”
Thanks to the work of spotters like Binks and Deller, darts broadcasts flow seamlessly — even if most viewers never realise just how much pressure sits behind every perfectly framed shot of the board.
