Cork

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"Diddle for the middle" — also called "cork" or "middle for diddle" — is how players decide who throws first. Each player throws one dart at the bullseye, and whoever gets closest goes first. If both hit the bull, or both miss by a similar amount, they throw again. It's a beautifully simple system that adds a moment of pressure before the match even starts. Throwing first matters more than casual fans realize. In 501, the player who throws first has a statistical advantage because they get the first crack at a checkout. In professional best-of formats, throwing first in the opening leg sets the tone. Data from the PDC shows that the player who wins the bull throw goes on to win the match slightly more often than 50%. The diddle also serves as a mini warm-up and a psychological moment. It's your first dart under match conditions, with your opponent and sometimes an audience watching. How you handle that single dart says something about your composure. Some players throw it casually; others treat it with dead seriousness. In pub darts, the diddle can be a social moment — banter flows, bets are made on who'll get closer. In professional darts, it's filmed and commentated on. The convention is that the away player or the lower-seeded player throws first at the bull, and the home player or higher seed throws second, giving them the advantage of seeing where the first dart landed. It's a small ritual, but it's part of what makes darts feel like a proper sport with traditions and etiquette.