Local darts players invited to take on world number one ‘Cool Hand Luke’ Humphries in Marston’s brewery challenge

Three local pubs will be part of a nationwide challenge after Marston’s brewery teamed up with darts world number one ‘Cool Hand Luke’ Humphries.

Amateur players across the nation will have the opportunity to dart to their local and participate in a timed ‘around the clock’ challenge to be in with the chance of winning £5,000 and a place at the grand final.

Ringwood’s Original White Hart, the Stourvale in Christchurch and Downton pub, the Bull Hotel, will invite locals to try and beat the world’s number one dart player’s time to earn a spot in the final.

The Cool Hand Cup will take place in over 700 pubs across the UK, starting with launch parties from 3rd-6th February. The last chance to get on the leaderboard will be at final throw events on 13th March.

Guests will step up to the oche and go around the clock, from one to 20, finishing on the bullseye. Players can attempt the challenge as many times as they like throughout the competition period, and times must be submitted via a dedicated tournament microsite, where local, regional, and national leaderboards will reveal the best of the best.

The 2024 World Matchplay champion and the reigning Players Championship Final champion, Humphries, will be the first to take on the challenge, setting the time for guests to try and beat. Humphries is also a former Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Champion with 18 senior PDC titles.

The top two players from each regional leaderboard will be whisked away by Marston’s to compete in a grand final, with all food, travel and accommodation expenses covered for them and one guest.

The four players with the fastest times will automatically proceed to the quarter-finals, with the remaining eight competing to continue their journey at the grand final. A series of play-offs will determine who will take home the cup and play Humphries in the night’s last match.

The winner will take home £5,000 in cash, £180 Marston’s Love My Local gift card, a set of Luke Humphries Red Dragon darts and, of course, the Cool Hand Cup trophy.

None of the finalists will go home empty-handed, as second place will receive a £150 Marston’s gift card, third place will receive a £100 Marston’s gift card, and all finalists will receive a set of Humphries’ Red Dragon darts.

Neil Campbell, Chief Operating Officer at Marston’s, said: “We’ve seen the popularity of darts skyrocket in the last year, with new and exciting breakthrough players and the return of bullseye.

“Dartboards are at the heart of so many of our pubs across the UK, and we’re so excited to team up with Luke Humphries to give our guests an even bigger reason to visit and try their hand at winning a truly money-can’t-buy prize.”

To find other participating pubs, visit marstonspubs.co.uk/cool-hand-cup