A POPULAR pub chain is challenging punters in the West Midlands to try their hand at beating the darts star, Luke Humphries for the chance to win a handsome cash prize and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Marston’s have launched the ‘Cool Hand Cup’, setting darts lovers across the nation the challenge of beating ‘Cool Hand Luke’ Humphries at his own game.

Amateur players across the UK will have the opportunity to dart to their local and take part in a timed ‘around the clock’ challenge, to be in with the chance of winning £5,000 and a place at the grand final.

The Cool Hand Cup will take place in over 700 Marston’s pubs across the UK, including 190 in the West Midlands, starting with launch parties to rival the atmosphere at Ally Pally, taking place this week, from Monday, February 3 until Thursday, February 6.

Hopeful punters will have until mid March to see if they can beat the world number one (Image: Ian Winstanley) Punters are invited to step up to the oche and go around the clock, from one to 20, finishing on the bullseye, with current world number one, Humphries setting the time for guests to try and beat.

Marston’s said the challenge can be attempted by players as many times as they like throughout the competition period, with hopeful players submitting their times via a dedicated online portal where local, regional, and national leaderboards will reveal the best of the best.

The top two players from the West Midlands leader board will be whisked away by Marston’s to compete in a grand final, with all food, travel and accommodation expenses covered for them and one guest.

The four players with the fastest times will automatically proceed to the quarter-finals, with the remaining eight competing to continue their journey at the Grand Final

A series of play-offs will then determine who will take home the cup and play Luke Humphries himself in the last match of the night.

As well as the chance to play in a dart match of dreams, the winner will take home £5,000 in cash, £180 Marston’s Love My Local gift card, a set of Luke Humphries Red Dragon darts and of course, the coveted Cool Hand Cup trophy.

Neil Campbell, Chief Operating Officer at Marston’s, said: “We’ve seen the popularity of darts skyrocket in the last year, with new and exciting breakthrough players and the return of Bullseye.

“Dart boards are at the heart of so many of our pubs across the UK and we’re so excited to team up with Luke Humphries to give our guests an even bigger reason to visit and try their hand at winning a truly money-can’t-buy prize. Let the games begin!”

If you think you have what it takes, the last chance to get on the leaderboard will be at Final Throw events on March 13. The grand final is set to take place on March 28.

For the full list of all 190 pubs in the region that are taking part and to find your local, click here.