Known by many as “The King,” Mervyn King is one of the most seasoned and well-respected players in professional darts. With a career spanning over 30 years, King has continuously been a formidable rival for the top players. He has defeated some of the biggest names in the sport and advanced to several major finals. If you want to know more about King and understand why he is one of the best, this article is for you.
Mervyn King Quick Stats
| Full name: | Mervyn King |
| Nationality: | British |
| Dominant hand: | Right hand |
| Playing since: | 1970s |
| Average 3-Darts Score: | Regularly around 95 on the PDC circuit |
| Checkout Percentage: | 48.55% |
| 180s Hit: | Typically around 22% |
| Major Titles: | Multiple runner-up finishes, Winmau World Masters |
Mervyn King Biography
Do you just know Mervyn King from the PDC? But that’s not where his professional darts career started. His career kick-started long before he was a member of PDC. When he first took up a dart as a child, his amazing talent instantly got him into the limelight. Thanks to his top-notch talent and amazing consistency, King made a name for himself in the British Darts Organisation by the late 1980s and early 1990s. He grabbed the eyeballs of millions with his consistent throw, distinctive posture, and unwavering competitive edge.
King often competed in the BDO World Championships at this time, pushing himself to the limit and competing against the best the organization had to offer. Performing steadily in these matches, King developed a strong reputation as one of the most dependable and dangerous players in the world of darts.
The highest point in his BDO career was when he bagged the Winmau World Masters trophy in 2004. Winning it marked King as a member of the sport’s elite, as it was considered one of the most prominent competitions outside of the World Championship at the time. The win showed his ability to compete with anyone and served as both a career high point and a declaration of intent.
King joined numerous other well-known players who had moved to the Professional Darts Corporation in 2007 in pursuit of more competition, publicity, and prize money. His career took a significant turn with the transfer, which gave him access to some of the largest darts stages and new challenges.
Mervyn King Career Highlights
Highlights of PDC Careers
After his switch to the Professional Darts Corporation in 2007, King has not looked back. With incredible performances, he has always been at the top level of the sport. Despite his ongoing pursuit of that elusive first televised PDC major, his career is filled with impressive runs, close calls, and victories that highlight his talent and tenacity.
Want to know more about Mervyn King’s career? We can’t put everything in this piece. That’s why here are the top achievements of one of the top darts players, King:
2012 World Grand Prix Finalist
King’s finest run occurred at the World Grand Prix in Dublin, when he faced Michael van Gerwen in the final. King challenged Van Gerwen all the way, showcasing his tactical skills and resilience in one of the PDC’s most difficult double-start formats. Considering how good Michael van Gerwen is, it was a super hard battle. Ultimately, King managed to bag the win, and this match marked a turning point in his career.
UK Open Finalist (2010, 2014)
Popularly called the “FA Cup of darts,” the UK Open is unpredictable and full of upsets. Being consistent in such a volatile tournament is a challenge in itself, and King did it with ease. He showed remarkable consistency by reaching the final on two occasions. Although he just fell a few inches short of lifting the title, his ability to handle pressure and understand the game made him the best.
Premier League Appearances
King has been invited on multiple occasions to play in the Premier League Darts, an exclusive tournament that brings together the finest players in the world. He has proven that he can compete with anyone on his day by winning significant bouts against prominent opponents like Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson, and Michael van Gerwen.
European Tour & Pro Tour Success
King has achieved great success on the Players Championship circuit away from the major TV stages, winning numerous titles and putting up strong performances all across the European Tour. He has maintained his position as one of the best in the world for a large portion of his career thanks to these accomplishments.
What Darts Does Mervyn King Use?
When it comes to dart equipment, they define the playstyle and overall identity of a player. That’s why if you want to know more about Mervyn King darts, you need to know which darts equipment he uses. King is generally well known for sticking to a consistent setup over the years. However, to cope with the tide of change, he has made some minor adjustments. So, here are the specifications of the Mervyn King darts:
Weight: King’s gameplay is all about striking the perfect balance, and that’s why he uses a dart that offers amazing balance. He typically uses darts weighing 22 grams. We can call this a middle ground that allows for both accuracy and a smooth rhythm. Darts with his weight are not extremely light, nor are they extremely heavy. That’s why you get consistent performance.
Material: The standard for professional-level darts is 90% tungsten, which is what his darts are made of. King can group his darts firmly in the treble 20 with little chance of deflection because tungsten permits thinner barrels without compromising durability.
Barrel Design & Grip: The barrels’ straight profile and traditional ringed grip offer King a steady hold while preserving his balance. King’s signature stance, in which he leans heavily forward at the oche, is particularly suited to this design, as is his steady throwing motion.
Flights: King often chooses regular flights. However, he occasionally also adds his own branding. His measured, controlled throw is complemented by steadiness through the air, which is best provided by standard flights.
Shafts: When it comes to shafts, King prefers medium nylon shafts. These are normally chosen for their durability and balance. The combination of medium shafts with standard flights is all you need for delivering that amazing performance. It stabilizes the dart mid-flight and ensures a consistent entry angle into the board.
Other Information About Mervyn King
You should be aware of the following extra details on Mervyn King:
Consistency: Consistently qualifies for majors that are broadcast, frequently pushing world champions and highly ranked players into close matches.
Style of play: King’s forward-leaning stance and steady, methodical throw make him one of the most recognizable players on the circuit.
Nickname: “The King” is a straightforward yet appropriate nickname that captures his last name and his lengthy tenure at the top.
Longevity: Having played professionally for more than thirty years, he is still regarded as one of the sport’s most enduring personalities.
