The Big Interview With RAY CARVER Unicorn Darts prize winners: Mark Antony Makinson, Fred Gero and Chris Langley All win their choice of Unicorn Darts.

From Simon Smith, York, UK : Is it hard being a professional darts player? I would love to be a pro but i have a long way to go because I am 14 and I have hit 39 180's?

RAY CARVER :Hi Simon. It is extremely hard work, you have to devote yourself to your game to even compete with the top pros because after all there is a reason why the top pros are at the top. Well that's great you are wanting to play at such a young age that gives you a slight advantage. Just practise all you can and I hope to see you at a competition in the future. Take care.

From Juergen Schmitz, Germany : What do you do to withstand the pressure in darts? Is it something, you just get used to? Or something you can learn?

RAY CARVER : Hi Juergen, trying to deal with pressure is very hard. You never get used to it, that is what keeps the game fun - the pressure. Some players get used to it and other players have a drink to calm down. But myself I love the pressure nothing like taking a big out when you really need it, that is what I love. Thanks.

From Georg Svec, USA : I was watching you play at the Stoopid Juice Open in the Quad Cities on December 8 and couldn't help but wonder if stopping you to chat or shake your hand would hurt your rhythm. You were throwing lights out and I didn't want to bug you, so my question is: Do you find it a distraction at smaller tournaments when people recognize you and want to talk to you? If so, how do you handle it? Conversely, does it help to know you have support in the area as you throw in a smaller tournament?

RAY CARVER : Hi Georg, Honestly I love when people stop and talk to me it lets me know that people support me and that is very flattering. No it doesen't mess my rhythm up. I can talk but when I get to the line it is total focus. Especially at the smaller tournaments like the Stupid Juice that is just for fun. Yeah the money is good to have also but just fun, so whenever you see me feel free to stop by for a chat. Thanks for the support.

From Jon Douglas, Michigan, USA: It has been reported that your intentions are to play the full PDC circuit this year Unicorn quote, "'Razor' is planning to play the full PDC circuit in 2008 and he deserves a shot at the big time". If this is true, are you passing on the ADO and US circuit entirely? Moving overseas? Can you expand on your intentions?

RAY CARVER : Hi Jon I am going to play the US PDC events this year and try to do as many as I can overseas. Moving overseas is not true and yes I am doing away with the USA circuit not really worth the hassle. Thanks for the concern.

From Fred Gero, USA : What is the most effective practice tip/method you would give a new player to improve accuracy? I have played both Steel and Soft tip darts for roughly three years.

RAY CARVER : Hi Fred as far as practise goes I will shoot all my doubles 2 times. 100 darts at the bull, counting the bull 1 and 2, try to stay around 120. Then play 501 best of 5 legs to a set, best of 11 sets. At 18 darts or less - if it is over 18 darts I lose. You dont have to use my standards you can set you level where ever you like then you can gradually move down and see your progress. Thanks

From Jack, USA: What do you think of other US players trying to follow yours shoes? Does it take "natural ability" or can you practice enough to get to the Pro level. Can other US players arrive at this level of game play?

RAY CARVER : Hi Jack I think it is great that other players want to compete at the highest level. Yeah for me it is a natural talent that just came to me. But don't get me wrong I still have to work really hard to stay at the top level. You dont have be a natural, if you really want to play and work hard at it you can get to that level. As long as you have the heart and desire you can do it. Thanks.

From Ryan Grow, USA: How does it feel to actually be a professional dart player? What would you suggest for a mostly soft tip player to transition to what I feel is more prestigious steel tip? How did you start out throwing steel tips competively?

RAY CARVER : Hi Ryan, It is a great feeling to be considered the one of the best in the country at any sport. Well since I moved to Illinois I play mostly soft tip. Yeah steel tip is more prestigious and Professional. Making the transition to steel is just practise and desire learning your outs and the numbers. You should be setting yourself up an out while your in the 300's, other than that you will be fine. I stated out playing leagues and practising every day then playing local tournaments. Once I started winning more, I then started traveling more and more. Thanks

From Tony Makinson, Chorley, UK: If I have been disappointed with my performance in a match for my local pub team, I find myself going straight to the practise board and trying to rectify this. So I guess what I want to know is after a gruelling day on the circuit, if you have for some reason been displeased with your performance, do you head straight back to the practise board or do you simply try to forget about it and hit the practise board the next day?

RAY CARVER : Hi Tony everyone get disappointed with their performance time to time. Yes you go to the practise board and work on what you were displeased with, along with your regular regiment. You have to remember that everyone at the competion also works very hard. Don't let it bother you, just get 'em the next time around. Thanks

From Rocky, Canada : I was wondering if you foresee Darts becoming more popular in the USA and Canada, seeing as the WSOD didnt go over well. Do you think there will be a power surge to bring the sport back up ?

RAY CARVER : Hi Rocky. Yeah, I really do think it will be a sucess here in North America. It was ESPN's fault on the flop. The PDC and Sky Sports know what they are doing. It is going to just take time to get the North American people on board. Thanks

From Mason Cornelison, Kentucky, USA : With the start of the new year how do you see North American players chances in the PDC?

RAY CARVER : Hi Mason, Well to be quite honest there will be a lot more Americans involving themselves with the PDC this year. Like recent addition to Team Unicorn - Gary Mawson.

From Nicolai Kuhz, Germany : Is there a special player you would like to practise with regularly, or do you think that the best way to improve is competition?

RAY CARVER : Hi Nicolai, I dont like having a practise partner because I don't want to pick up bad habits. Set a practise routine and go it alone you will see your progress, that is my opinion. Thanks

From Vivien Guszter, Hungary : I like playing darts, because my grandfather gave me darts when I was 7 years old. I threw my first 180 when I was 9 years old-I didn't remember my parents told me that. When did you throw your first? Is it hard being a professional darts player? I am 17-years-old can I join a team in Hungary at this age?

RAY CARVER :Hi Vivien I dont know your rules in your country. If they have youth leagues or what. So keep practising and hope to see you in the near future. Thanks.

From Scott Waters,USA : Ray, I notice you prefer the ultra strong Maestro flights in Unicorns 'Big Wing' configuration. How does this flight change the characteristics of your signature dart?

RAY CARVER :Hi Scott I like to play with the Maestro shape in softip caues it takes up less space. But steel tip I still play with the full flight. Thanks.

From Chris Langley, USA : As you can tell American players don't seem to do as well in the game of darts as some other countries. What do you think is the cause of this? Is it a level of commitment or that we only have 5 PDC tournaments in the US? Or could it be a lack of sponsorship to America players? What do you think will have to change in either American player or just the game its self before an American is called World Champion?

RAY CARVER :Hi Chris, well that is a tough one. It is just the lack of playing week in, week out with the top players. I think if we played every weekend that would change. It is a matter of becoming a full time player on the PDC circuit and playing 35 weekends a year overseas. Thanks.

From Al Marsteiner, USA : : I have been throwing darts for over 10 years, I’m out of Los Angeles and I’m doing well around the local tournaments, but when I get with the top shooters, I seem to have trouble getting out of my own way. I know you have been a professional for quite some time and what do you do. I don’t drink or smoke, so it’s hard to keep the nerves out of it.

RAY CARVER :Hi Al I know just what you mean I used to have the same problem in my local tournaments. As soon as you break through and beat a good player your confidence level will get higher and higher. Then they will be dreading the call when they have to play you. So keep your head in there it will happen. Thanks Al

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