Short answer: Mensur Suljovic's dart appears to spin because of the way his grip pressure, finger contact and release timing work together. There is no reliable public source that gives one official personal reason for it, so the honest answer is mechanical rather than mysterious: the barrel can roll as the last finger leaves the dart. The important point is that his spin is controlled. It is not the same thing as a dart wobbling, fishtailing or being dragged sideways.
Last reviewed: 13 August 2026. This guide separates what can be observed from what should not be guessed. It does not claim a medical or private reason for Suljovic's throw.
The clean answer
Suljovic's spin is best understood as a release signature. It is part of how the dart leaves his hand. A dart can rotate around its own length because one finger is still influencing the barrel fractionally later than the others, or because the thumb and fingers create a tiny rolling action at release. That does not automatically make the throw good or bad.
What matters is whether the point still travels on the intended line. If the dart spins but enters the board consistently, the spin is mostly a visible side effect of a repeatable release. If the dart kicks, wobbles or misses in a different direction every visit, the problem is not "spin" as such. The problem is usually grip pressure, steering, tension or a release that changes from dart to dart.
That is why the answer should not be "copy Mensur's spin". The useful lesson is the opposite: copy the control, not the look. Suljovic has built a throw around timing he can repeat under match pressure. Most players who try to add spin deliberately only add torque to a throw that was already hard enough to keep straight.
What viewers are actually seeing
Mensur Suljovic has one of the most recognisable actions in professional darts. The rhythm is methodical, the delivery is unusual, and the dart can appear to roll as it leaves the hand. Because the movement is slower and more distinctive than a textbook straight-through action, the spin is easier to notice on camera.
The spin is not the whole throw. It sits inside a broader routine: stance, set position, aim, pullback, grip pressure, release and follow-through. A visible barrel roll can happen at the end of that chain without ruining the line. The dart can rotate and still fly with the point leading towards the target.
The key distinction is axial spin versus unstable movement. Axial spin means the dart is rotating around its long axis, a bit like a drill bit. Wobble means the nose and tail are oscillating and the dart is no longer calmly tracking one line. Fans often use the word "spin" for both, but they are different problems.
Why spin happens in a dart throw
A dart leaves the hand through contact points. The thumb, index finger, middle finger and sometimes ring finger each apply pressure to the barrel. If those pressure points release at exactly the same time with the same force, the dart leaves very cleanly. In real throws, there is usually a tiny imbalance. One contact point lasts longer, one finger brushes the barrel, or the hand rotates slightly through the throw. That can create spin.
Some players barely show it. Others have a release where the dart visibly rolls. Barrel shape can make the effect stronger. A heavily ringed barrel gives the fingers more edge to catch. A smoother barrel releases with less friction. A front-weighted dart can feel different from a centre-weighted or rear-weighted dart. None of those things are magic; they change how cleanly the dart leaves the hand.
The release also changes under pressure. A player who squeezes harder on a doubles visit may drag the dart. A player who tries to guide the dart late may add sideways force. A player whose follow-through stops short may leave the tail behind. Spin is only useful as a clue when you connect it to the result on the board.
Spin is not the same as wobble
This distinction is the practical value of the whole question. A spinning dart can still be healthy. A wobbling dart usually tells you the release is fighting itself.
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Clean roll around the barrel | The dart is rotating but the point still leads | Leave it alone if grouping is strong |
| Tail wagging in flight | The release is unstable or pressure is uneven | Reduce squeeze and make the follow-through finish forward |
| Dart drifts left or right late | The hand may be steering after the aiming line is set | Check elbow line and release without pushing sideways |
| One dart spins, next dart does not | The grip or finger order is changing between throws | Mark a repeatable grip point and slow the first practice visit down |
That table is why Suljovic's throw is interesting for ordinary players. It is not a model to copy exactly. It is a useful reminder that a throw can look unconventional and still be repeatable. The board decides whether the motion works.
Why it works for Suljovic
At elite level, players do not need identical technique. They need repeatable technique. Suljovic's methodical throw has been good enough to build a long professional career, appear on major televised stages and win the 2017 Champions League of Darts. Mastercaller records that win over Gary Anderson in the final, which remains an important marker when judging the level his style has reached.
The official PDC player profile is the right source for basic career context, but the throw itself is better judged through observed mechanics. The public video analysis of his action, including the PDC-era "My Throw" style analysis with Rod Harrington, focuses on the way the action functions rather than treating it as a trick. That is the useful frame: a distinctive action can be technically coherent if it repeats.
Suljovic also controls tempo. A slower routine can protect timing for one player and destroy rhythm for another. In Suljovic's case, the slower pace appears tied to how he sets the dart, starts the movement and finishes the release. It is not simply delay for delay's sake. It is part of the pattern he has rehearsed.
Why you should not force spin into your own throw
For most players, deliberately trying to spin the dart is a bad trade. It gives the hand one more instruction at the worst possible moment. The release already has to manage target line, height, rhythm, pressure and follow-through. Adding "make it spin" can turn a simple throw into a steering job.
If your darts already group well and happen to rotate, there may be nothing to fix. If your darts wobble, land at odd angles or miss both sides of the target, forcing more spin will not solve it. Start with basics: grip the dart lightly enough that it can leave, keep the wrist quiet, let the point lead, and finish the hand towards the target.
This links closely with general aim mechanics. The guide to aiming darts like a pro explains why alignment, release and follow-through have to work as one chain. The same rule applies here. Spin is only one visible detail inside the chain.
A simple release test you can do at home
Use three short checks before changing anything. First, throw nine darts at treble 20 with your normal action and ignore the score. Watch how the dart enters the board. If the point leads and the darts group in a recognisable pattern, your release is probably more stable than it feels.
Second, film three visits from the side using your phone. Do not film to copy Suljovic's action. Film to see whether your hand finishes in the same place each time. If the finish changes, the spin is probably a symptom of inconsistent release timing.
Third, throw a slow set of nine darts at big single 20 with one cue only: soft fingers. Do not squeeze harder to "control" the dart. Let the barrel leave. If the dart becomes straighter with less effort, your old release was probably over-gripped. If nothing improves, the issue may be stance, elbow path, dart weight or flight setup rather than spin.
Equipment can influence spin, but it is not the answer
Dart shape affects how the fingers come away from the barrel. A straight barrel with heavy grip can hold the fingers longer. A torpedo shape can make the thumb sit differently. A smoother finish can make the release feel cleaner. Stems and flights can also change how the dart behaves in the air after release.
That does not mean you should buy new darts every time the flight looks odd. The better approach is to test one variable at a time. If your current barrels feel too aggressive, compare them with a cleaner-grip option from the dart sets collection. If the dart lands tail-up, tail-down or wobbles after a decent release, small changes from the darts accessories collection, such as flights and stems, can be worth testing.
The key word is testing. Do not change barrel, stem, flight and grip cue on the same night. You will not know what helped. Make one change, throw a proper sample, and judge the group.
How his tempo fits into the discussion
Some discussion of Suljovic's throw focuses less on the spin and more on pace. Sky Sports described him as methodical during his 2021 World Championship match with Gary Anderson, where Anderson was visibly frustrated by the rhythm of the contest. That source is about match rhythm, not a technical explanation for the spin, but it shows why Suljovic's whole style attracts attention.
This is important because viewers can confuse rhythm with mechanics. A slow player is not automatically spinning the dart because they are slow. A fast player is not automatically cleaner because they are fast. Tempo only matters if it helps the same motion happen again and again.
If a slower routine helps you stay calm, use it. If it gives you too much time to think, shorten it. Suljovic's pace works for Suljovic because it belongs to his throw. Your pace has to belong to yours.
What beginners should take from Suljovic
Beginners should take three lessons. First, there is no single perfect-looking throw. Darts has room for individual mechanics as long as the motion repeats. Second, the board matters more than the camera. A throw that looks unusual but groups is better than a textbook-looking throw that sprays. Third, visible spin is only a clue, not a verdict.
If you are new to the game, do not build your throw around a famous player's visible quirk. Build it around comfort, balance and repeatability. The guide to where a beginner should aim in darts is a better starting point than trying to copy an elite professional's release detail.
Once you have a repeatable base, you can learn from professionals more intelligently. Watch where they finish their hand. Watch whether the first dart changes the second dart. Watch how they reset after a poor visit. Those habits transfer better than trying to copy the exact way a barrel leaves someone's fingers.
Quick diagnosis by symptom
If your dart spins and lands well, do not interfere with it. Keep notes on grouping and checkout performance instead. If your dart spins and lands badly, reduce grip pressure before changing equipment. If your dart wobbles, check whether the back of the dart is being dragged by a late finger. If your dart dives or climbs, look at release height and follow-through rather than blaming spin alone.
If your misses spread both left and right, your release is changing too much. Work on one stable grip point and one finishing point. If your misses group in one area, the throw may be stable but aimed or aligned incorrectly. That is a different problem, and it is often easier to fix.
Visual guide: how to apply this at the board
Related reading
For the wider technique picture, read is there a trick to throwing darts?. For improvement structure, use how can I improve my darts?. If you want to understand the aiming side before judging the release, start with how do you aim darts like a pro?.
Sources used
- Official PDC player profile for Mensur Suljovic.
- My Throw 2.0 with Mensur Suljovic, featuring technical analysis of his action.
- Mastercaller record of Suljovic winning the 2017 Champions League of Darts.
- Sky Sports report discussing Suljovic's methodical rhythm against Gary Anderson.
Equipment checks before changing release
If your dart spins, wobbles or enters the board awkwardly, check equipment before rebuilding the throw. Compare grip and balance across darts and dart sets, then adjust flights, stems and points through darts accessories one change at a time. A clear dartboard and suitable dartboard surround make those tests easier to read.
Bottom line
Mensur Suljovic's dart spins because of how his grip and release interact, not because spin itself is the target. The reason his action works is repeatability. If your dart spins cleanly and groups, leave it alone. If it wobbles, drifts or changes from throw to throw, fix release pressure and timing before trying to copy a professional style.
FAQ
Does Mensur Suljovic deliberately spin his darts?
There is no reliable public source confirming that he deliberately spins the dart as a separate technique. The safer interpretation is that the spin is a by-product of his grip, pressure and release timing.
Is spin good in darts?
Spin is not automatically good or bad. A dart can spin and still fly cleanly. Wobble, tail wag and inconsistent entry angles are bigger warning signs than spin by itself.
Should beginners copy Suljovic's throw?
No. Beginners should copy the principle of repeatability, not the visible spin. Build a comfortable grip, a stable stance and a repeatable follow-through first.
Can equipment reduce unwanted wobble?
Sometimes. Barrel grip, dart weight, stems and flights can all affect release and flight. Test one change at a time so you can tell whether the equipment helped or whether the issue is still technique.
