Luke Humphries' 'Cool Hand' Nickname Highlights Unique Branding in Professional Darts
Luke Humphries earned his nickname 'Cool Hand' by defeating his friend Martin Lukeman in a September 2017 Challenge Tour quarter-final in Wigan, where the winner would take the nickname. At the time, Lukeman used the nickname 'Cool Man'; after Humphries' win, he adopted 'Cool Hand,' while Lukeman later became known as 'Smash.'
Humphries' nickname is a perfect reflection of his on-stage persona—calm, unflappable under pressure, and steady in finishing—fusing his sporting and stage identity.
Nicknames in professional darts are the product of a collaborative process involving players registering with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), its publicity department, agents, and broadcasters to brand and market players.
Examples of notable darts nicknames include Daryl Gurney's 'Superchin' (originating from his agent), Phil Taylor's 'The Power' (coined by Sky Sports staff), and Dirk van Duijvenbode's 'the Aubergenius' (created by commentator Dan Dawson). Some nicknames have been rejected for being too unsuitable for television, such as Tim Pusey's 'The Magnet' and Owen Bates' 'The Master.' Nationality-based nicknames like Xiaochen Zong's 'The Panda Man' are also a feature in the sport.
More than just catchy jingles, these nicknames form a player's personality and commercial brand. Darts is considered ahead of many professional sports in the sophistication of its branding through nicknames.
This insight into the culture of darts nicknames was provided by Jonathan Liew in a feature filed from Alexandra Palace for The Guardian on 17 December 2025, accompanying coverage of the World Darts Championships.
