‘I was trying to get under their skin’ – Luke Littler deliberately taunted fans in World Series of Darts final
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation and defending PDC World Champion, has revealed that his provocative gestures during the 2025 World Series of Darts Finals final were a deliberate attempt to “get under the skin” of the boisterous Amsterdam crowd. The teenager, known for his unflappable demeanor, faced relentless jeers from the 6,000-strong Dutch fans at AFAS Live on September 14, supporting local hero Michael van Gerwen. Littler’s taunts, including a water sip followed by a double 10 checkout and pointing at himself, were part of a strategy to rattle the audience and fuel his comeback. Despite the 11-7 loss to van Gerwen, Littler’s candid admission post-match has been praised as a masterclass in psychological warfare, showcasing his growing maturity in handling hostile environments.
The Final: Boos, Taunts, and a Turning Point
The £400,000 World Series of Darts Finals final was a high-stakes rematch of the 2025 World Championship decider, where Littler had defeated van Gerwen 7-3. Trailing 6-3 at the second break amid constant boos, Littler stepped up for the 10th leg. The crowd erupted in jeers as he missed a treble, but Littler paused dramatically, took a deliberate sip of water, nailed a double 10 to break back, and then stared down the audience before pointing at himself in triumph. “I was trying to get under their skin,” Littler confessed in his ITV Sport interview. “The boos? It’s their home crowd—they can do what they want. But I knew it would fire me up.”
The gesture marked a turning point: Littler won two straight legs to level at 6-5, including an 88 finish. However, van Gerwen, the three-time world champion, regained control, winning five of the next six legs to claim his sixth World Series title and end a two-year TV drought. Littler averaged 97.5 with 12 maximums, but van Gerwen’s 98.37 and clinical 130 checkout proved decisive. “The fans wanted Michael to win—he played the best darts this weekend,” Littler said graciously. “It’s good to see him back.”
Littler’s taunt echoed his style: turning adversity into advantage. In the semifinal against Gerwyn Price (11-7 win), he silenced boos with a nine-dart leg, and against Jonny Clayton (6-4), he lapped up the jeers after a 81 checkout. “People might say I was nervous—I wasn’t,” Littler added. “I just had to dig in.”
Littler’s Strategy: Psychological Edge in a Hostile Arena
Littler’s admission reveals a calculated approach to crowd interaction, a hallmark of darts’ rowdy culture. Amsterdam’s AFAS Live, hosting the event for the first time, was a fortress for van Gerwen, with Dutch fans booing Littler’s every move—from his first-round 6-4 win over Simon Whitlock to the final. “The crowd was loud, celebrating every point like a Grand Slam,” Littler said. By taunting them—pausing for water amid jeers, then celebrating emphatically—he aimed to disrupt their momentum and boost his own. Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle called it “elite mind games—Littler’s using the boos as fuel.”
This tactic isn’t new for Littler. At the 2025 Australian Darts Masters, he mimicked jeers after a 170 checkout, and in the World Championship, he pointed to himself after silencing Ally Pally. “It’s part of the game,” he explained. “If they boo, I give them something to cheer about—or boo more.” Van Gerwen, gracious in victory, acknowledged Littler’s resilience: “Luke’s tough—he turns the crowd against him and thrives.”
Fan and Expert Praise for Littler’s Maturity
Littler’s revelation has been lauded as a sign of his growth. On X, fans posted: “Littler admitting he taunted the Amsterdam crowd to get under their skin? Genius psychology at 18! 🎯” (@DartsFanatic). Another said, “From boos to motivation—Luke’s cold response is why he’s the future” (@TheNukeArmy). Mardle praised, “It’s remarkable composure. Most would crack, but Luke owns the oche.”
The final drew record crowds, with van Gerwen’s emotional win—his first TV title since 2023—celebrated by daughter Zoe on stage. Littler, gracious in defeat, pocketed £35,000 as runner-up, pushing his 2025 earnings over £1.5 million. With the World Grand Prix next (October 7-12), his taunting tactic promises more drama.
Littler’s deliberate provocation in Amsterdam wasn’t recklessness—it was strategy. In a sport where crowds fuel the fire, The Nuke knows how to stoke it his way.
