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Dennis Priestley reckons there'll definitely be players boozing before games at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
The legendary two-time world champion, who became the first person to win both the BDO and WDC events in 1991 and 1994 respectively, was an avid drinker before stepping up to the oche.
He and the vast majority of his opponents would turn to alcohol for a helping hand – and while the drinking culture isn't believed to be anywhere near as excessive these days, Priestley is adamant it still very much exists.
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He told OLGB: "Players will definitely be drinking before games, even at this year's tournament. There aren't many that go on stage without having a drink before they play.
"If you can name a handful of players that haven't had a drop of alcohol before their games this year, I'll be gobsmacked. Drinking before games definitely helps the players."
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The 73-year-old even believes he couldn't have achieved what he did with tungsten in hand without being under the influence. But there was a fine margin between calming the nerves and being drunk.
"If it hadn't been for alcohol, I probably wouldn't have won anything in the sport," he continued. "You've just got to know exactly the right amount you need to keep a steady nerve.
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"When I won my first World Championship, I probably had three or four bottles of Holsten Pils during the build-up to coming on stage. It just calms the nerves."
Earlier this year German darts ace Jochen Graudenz shockingly claimed that a whopping "70 per cent of players are alcoholics". But many top stars, including Michael van Gerwen, have previously called for pints to be ditched at events.
- Darts
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