Phil Taylor Darts – "The Power" Darts & Accessories at Diplomatgames

Phil Taylor is the most successful and influential personality in modern darts history. The Englishman, with the legendary nickname "The Power," won an incredible 16 World Championships, dominated professional darts for over two decades, and set records that still stand today.

His track record in major tournaments alone is extraordinary: 16 World Championships, 16 World Matchplay titles, 11 World Grand Prix titles, six Premier League titles, and six Grand Slam titles are all part of his career. Target puts his total record at 214 professional tournament wins and 85 major titles.

Taylor is also particularly interesting for dart players who are deeply involved with equipment. Throughout his career, he played with various barrel shapes, weights, and setups, and was long associated with Unicorn before switching to Target Darts in 2014. There, the well-known Phil Taylor Power 9Five Series was developed, which now spans numerous generations.

At Diplomatgames, you'll find Phil Taylor darts and matching accessories. But which darts did Phil Taylor play, how heavy were his darts, and why did The Power change his barrel shape during his career? Here you'll learn more about the career, successes, playing style, and equipment of the most successful world champion in darts history.

Phil Taylor Profile

Name: Philip Douglas Taylor
Nickname: The Power
Birthday: August 13, 1960
Birthplace: Stoke-on-Trent, England
Nationality: English
Throwing Hand: Right
Current Dart Partner: Target Darts
With Target since: 2014
Former Major Manufacturer: Unicorn
Known Dart Weights: approx. 22 to 26 grams, depending on career phase
Known Target Series: Power 9Five
World Champion: 16 times
World Matchplay: 16 times
World Grand Prix: 11 times
Premier League: 6 times
Grand Slam of Darts: 6 times
UK Open: 5 times
Professional Tournament Wins: 214
Major Titles: 85.

Who is Phil Taylor?

Phil Taylor was born on August 13, 1960, in Stoke-on-Trent.

His origins initially had little to do with the life of a future sports superstar. Taylor grew up in humble circumstances and worked various factory jobs after school.

Among other things, he worked as a sheet metal worker and later in a ceramics factory, where he manufactured ceramic toilet paper holders and similar ceramic products.

Darts was initially a hobby.

No one could have guessed then that this factory worker would one day become the most successful darts player of all time.

How did Phil Taylor get into darts?

Another darts legend played a crucial role in Taylor's development:

Eric Bristow.

Taylor played regularly in a pub in Stoke-on-Trent and showed immense talent. Bristow recognized his potential and supported him financially, allowing Taylor to concentrate more intensely on darts.

That would pay off.

It was Bristow, of all people, who later became Taylor's opponent in his first World Championship triumph.

In 1990, Taylor reached the final in his first World Championship – and defeated his mentor.

This marked the beginning of one of the most extraordinary careers in sports history. Target cites the 1990 World Championship title against Bristow as the start of Taylor's unparalleled dominance.

Phil Taylor becomes 16-time World Champion

If there's one number inextricably linked with Phil Taylor, it's:

16.

Taylor won a total of 16 Darts World Championships.

He won his first two titles in the then BDO system.

After the split in professional darts, Taylor was one of the defining players of the new organization, which gave rise to today's PDC.

There, he won another 14 World Championships.

Particularly incredible:

From 1995 to 2002, Taylor won eight World Championships in a row. This record still stands.

The Power won his last World Championship title in 2013 against Michael van Gerwen.

The greatest successes of Phil Taylor

The Power's list of titles reads almost absurdly:

• 16× World Champion
• 16× World Matchplay Champion
• 11× World Grand Prix Champion
• 6× Premier League Champion
• 6× Grand Slam of Darts Champion
• 5× UK Open Champion
• 4× European Champion
• numerous other international titles
• 214 professional tournament wins
• 85 Major Titles.

Taylor reached the World Championship final a total of 21 times.

He reached 17 finals at the World Matchplay – and won 16 of them.

Target puts his win rate in World Matchplay finals at an incredible 94 percent.

Phil Taylor and the World Matchplay

Besides the World Championship, there is one tournament particularly strongly associated with Taylor:

the World Matchplay in Blackpool.

Taylor won it:

16 times.

He won his last World Matchplay title in 2017, in his last full year on the regular PDC tour.

With that, he essentially ended his career at one of his favorite tournaments as it had gone on for decades:

with a title.

Two Nine-Darters in one match

One of Phil Taylor's most famous achievements came in the 2010 Premier League final against James Wade.

In that one match, Taylor threw:

two nine-darters.

This means he finished a leg with the minimum possible number of nine darts twice within the same match.

Taylor then won the final 10-8.

This match remains one of the best-known examples of the level of play "The Power" could reach in his prime.

Why is Phil Taylor called "The Power"?

Phil Taylor is now known worldwide as:

"The Power"

However, that wasn't his only nickname.

Target mentions earlier designations such as "The Crafty Potter", "The Governor", and "The Godfather".

"The Crafty Potter" alluded to his work in the ceramics industry.

"The Power" eventually became the name that defined his career.

And hardly any nickname fit better.

Taylor dominated opponents sometimes for entire tournaments and seasons.

What is Phil Taylor's playing style?

Phil Taylor's playing style was primarily based on three things:

repeatability, concentration, and enormous training effort.

Taylor was almost obsessed with consistently reproducing his throw.

For many years, he trained much more intensely than many of his competitors at the time.

In an interview, for example, he recalled being in the practice room early in the morning at county tournaments, even though his match didn't start until late afternoon.

He also set specific goals at home.

This enormous training discipline was an important part of his dominance.

Phil Taylor and mental strength

However, Taylor was not only technically exceptional.

His dominance eventually developed a psychological effect.

Opponents knew:

If they missed chances, The Power would punish them.

Taylor combined extremely strong scoring with consistent finishing and a remarkable ability to raise his game precisely in crucial moments.

This made matches against him an enormous mental challenge for many years.

Which darts did Phil Taylor play?

This question is particularly interesting with Phil Taylor, because:

He played very different darts throughout his career.

Therefore, there isn't "the one Phil Taylor dart."

His equipment history can be broadly divided into two particularly well-known phases:

Unicorn → Target.

Various famous Taylor generations or "Phases" emerged at Unicorn.

These included the well-known Phil Taylor Phase 5 darts.

In 2014, Taylor eventually switched to Target.

There, it originated:

Target Phil Taylor Power 9Five.

Phil Taylor and Unicorn Darts

Many of Phil Taylor's World Championship titles were won with Unicorn Darts.

Older darts fans, in particular, therefore strongly associate "The Power" with Unicorn to this day.

During this collaboration, different Taylor barrels were created.

A particularly well-known model is the Phil Taylor Phase 5.

Unicorn, together with Taylor, experimented with different barrel shapes, tungsten percentages, shafts, and flights. At the 2009 World Championship, for example, Taylor played with an advanced configuration from his then Unicorn phase.

These old Phil Taylor darts now sometimes have genuine collector's value.

The switch from Unicorn to Target

2014 brought a major change.

Phil Taylor switched to Target Darts.

Target describes the collaboration as an intensive development of a setup that would precisely match Taylor's unusual throw.

This led to the creation of the famous:

Power 9Five Series.

The various generations document the continuous development of his setup.

And this development continued even after his dominant PDC era.

Target Phil Taylor Power 9Five

The Target Power 9Five series is one of the most famous premium player darts ever.

The name "9Five" refers to the high 95% tungsten content of many models.

The shape of many later Taylor darts is particularly striking.

While numerous professionals use very slim and long straight barrels, Taylor temporarily played with much more compact, stronger barrels.

This gives many Power 9Five generations a distinctive look.

Power 9Five – now numerous generations

Target continuously developed the Power 9Five series.

The different generations sometimes vary significantly in:

grip structure, barrel shape, weight, coating, shaft system, and points.

In 2025, for example, Target introduced the 12th generation of the Power 9Five.

This is interesting for collectors and Taylor fans.

Because the individual generations practically show the evolution of a 16-time world champion's setup.

How many grams did Phil Taylor play with?

This question also cannot be answered with just one number for his entire career.

Phil Taylor changed his setup multiple times.

In various career phases, he played darts weighing approximately 22 to 26 grams, among others.

His heavier 26-gram Unicorn Phase 5 darts became particularly well-known, while different weights were also produced at Target.

Therefore, one should not simply state at Diplomatgames:

"Phil Taylor plays 26 grams."

It is better to say:

Phil Taylor played various dart weights throughout his career. His heavier setups, up to about 26 grams, are particularly well-known.

This is both factually more accurate and more helpful for buyers.

Why are Phil Taylor Darts so unusual?

With Taylor, you can see particularly well that a professional dart doesn't necessarily have to look as one might expect.

Many modern professionals use:

long, thin, and relatively straight barrels.

Taylor, however, played with more compact and sometimes significantly wider barrels over various career phases.

This shows:

The best dart is not the dart with the "most perfect" theoretical shape – but the dart that suits one's own throw.

Target itself explains that the various generations of Taylor darts resulted from years of fine-tuning to his individual throw.

Who are Phil Taylor Darts suitable for?

Depending on the generation, Phil Taylor Darts can be particularly interesting if you:

• prefer a more compact barrel,
• tend to play medium to heavier darts,
• want a clearly defined grip position,
• are looking for 95% tungsten premium darts,
• want to compare different Power 9Five generations,
• or are a fan or collector of The Power.

However, especially with Taylor, the following applies:

Compare generations!

A Power 9Five Gen 5 can play completely differently from a later generation.

At Diplomatgames, therefore, always pay attention to the weight, barrel length, diameter, balance, and grip structure of the respective model.

Phil Taylor – from factory worker to millionaire

One of the most fascinating aspects of Taylor's story is his background.

After school, he initially worked for very little money in a metal factory.

Later, he earned his living in a ceramics factory, manufacturing items such as toilet paper holders and similar ceramic products.

His ambitions were initially modest.

Taylor later explained that one of his original goals was simply to earn enough money from darts to pay off his mortgage.

What followed was something completely different.

Taylor became the first true superstar of the modern darts era.

Phil Taylor and Eric Bristow

Without Eric Bristow, The Power's story might have turned out differently.

The five-time world champion recognized Taylor's talent early on and supported him.

Bristow thus became the mentor of a man who would later even surpass his own records.

The story took an almost cinematic turn in 1990:

Taylor reached his first World Championship final.

His opponent:

Eric Bristow.

Taylor won.

The student had defeated his mentor on the biggest stage.

Phil Taylor vs. Raymond van Barneveld

One of the most important rivalries in Taylor's career developed with Raymond van Barneveld.

The 2007 World Championship final is particularly famous.

Taylor was the dominant PDC star.

Barney had just switched from the BDO to the PDC.

The final went down to the deciding set and ultimately the deciding leg.

Van Barneveld won.

The match is still considered one of the most significant World Championship finals ever.

Phil Taylor vs. Michael van Gerwen

Later, a new rivalry emerged.

Michael van Gerwen developed into the player who could finally challenge Taylor's dominance.

Interestingly, both met in the 2013 World Championship final.

Taylor won.

It was his:

16th and final World Championship title.

Thus, Taylor's last World Championship triumph holds a special symbolism.

The old dominant player defeated the player who would then become the new number one in the sport for years to come.

The last World Championship final against Rob Cross

Taylor's last major PDC tournament also made history.

At the 2018 World Championship, The Power once again reached the final.

His opponent was none other than World Championship debutant Rob Cross.

Cross won.

This marked the end of Taylor's regular PDC career after another World Championship final. Target explicitly names this final appearance as the culmination of his record-breaking PDC career.

It was a symbolic changing of the guard:

The greatest player of the old era handed over the stage to a new world champion.

Phil Taylor after the PDC

After his retirement from the regular PDC tour, Taylor did not immediately disappear completely from the dartboard.

He later competed on the World Seniors Darts Tour.

2024 was finally to be his last year in competitive darts. Target also documents this second farewell in his player profile.

Health problems, particularly a hip injury, played a role in the definitive end of his competitive career.

This concluded an active career whose records will continue to shape the sport for a long time.

Controversies surrounding Phil Taylor

However, a complete biography also includes the fact that Taylor's career was not exclusively made up of sporting successes.

Taylor was convicted in 2001 of indecent assault (sexual harassment/indecent battery according to the British legal terminology at the time). The BBC mentions this conviction in its extensive career portrait.

For a shop category page, I would keep this point factual and concise. It is part of his publicly documented biography, but should neither be sensationalized nor suppressed if a comprehensive player profile is the goal.

What is Phil Taylor doing today?

After his final retirement from competitive darts, Taylor is no longer active as a regular tournament professional.

However, his influence on the sport remains enormous.

He continues to appear as a well-known darts personality, while Target continues his product lines. For example, a new generation of the Power-9Five series was released in 2025.

Taylor has also spoken about possible roles as a mentor or coach. The Power is particularly keen to follow the development of the new generation around Luke Littler.

Phil Taylor and Luke Littler

Meanwhile, Taylor's most famous record is regularly associated with a new name:

Luke Littler.

Littler himself has stated that he wants to attack Taylor's record of 16 World Championships.

Taylor, in turn, spoke positively about the young Englishman and sees the potential for an extraordinary career in him.

This creates an interesting connection between three great darts generations:

Phil Taylor → Michael van Gerwen → Luke Littler.

The question of whether anyone will ever surpass Taylor's 16 World Championship titles is likely to accompany the sport of darts for many years to come.

Why is Phil Taylor considered the greatest darts player of all time?

Of course, one can debate the "GOAT" of any sport.

However, in Phil Taylor's case, the numbers speak an unusually clear language.

16 World Championships.

16 World Matchplays.

11 World Grand Prix titles.

85 Major titles.

214 professional tournament victories.

In addition, he won eight consecutive World Championships from 1995 to 2002.

But perhaps the most important point is:

Taylor changed the expectations of what a professional darts player could achieve.

Training, consistency, and professionalism reached a new level during his era.

That is why Phil Taylor is still considered by many to be:

The Greatest of All Time – the GOAT of darts

is regarded.

Buy Phil Taylor Darts at Diplomatgames

Do you want to buy Phil Taylor darts or are you looking for a Target Power 9Five dart?

At Diplomatgames you will find various Phil Taylor darts from Target and matching The Power accessories, subject to availability.

The Target Power 9Five series, which has been continuously developed over numerous generations, is particularly well-known.

Depending on the model, the following differ:

Weight, barrel length, diameter, tungsten content, grip structure, balance, coating, and point system.

Therefore, you should not only choose by "Phil Taylor".

Compare the different generations and technical data with your own throwing style.

Discover the available Phil Taylor Darts at Diplomatgames now and find out which Power setup best suits your game.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about Phil Taylor

Which darts did Phil Taylor play?

Phil Taylor played various darts throughout his career. His earlier Unicorn Phase Darts and later Target Power 9Five Darts are particularly well-known. Taylor switched to Target in 2014.

How many grams did Phil Taylor play?

Taylor used different weights throughout his career, roughly in the range of 22 to 26 grams. His heavier setups around 26 grams became particularly well-known. Therefore, a distinction should always be made between the respective career phase and dart generation.

How many times did Phil Taylor become world champion?

Phil Taylor won 16 World Championships and still holds the record. He even won eight World Championships in a row.

What are Phil Taylor's greatest achievements?

In addition to his 16 World Championship titles, Taylor won, among others, 16 World Matchplays, eleven World Grand Prix titles, six Premier Leagues, six Grand Slams, and five UK Opens. Target puts his career total at 85 Major titles.

Why is Phil Taylor called "The Power"?

"The Power" became Taylor's famous nickname and suited his decades of dominance. Previously, he was also known as "The Crafty Potter" – an allusion to his work in the ceramics industry.

What did Phil Taylor do before his darts career?

Taylor worked, among other things, in a metal factory and later a ceramics factory. There, he manufactured ceramic toilet paper holders or corresponding parts.

Which manufacturers did Phil Taylor play for?

The two best-known equipment phases of his career are Unicorn and Target. In 2014, Taylor switched to Target, where the Power-9Five series was developed.

Is Phil Taylor still an active darts professional?

No. Taylor ended his regular PDC career after the 2018 World Championship and later played on the World Seniors Tour. In 2024, this phase of his competitive career also ended.

Where can you buy Phil Taylor Darts?

You can buy Phil Taylor Darts at Diplomatgames. Depending on availability, you will find Target Power 9Five Signature Darts and matching The Power accessories there.