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Incentives, Performance and Choking in Darts

Author

Listed:
  • Bouke Klein Teeselink

    (VU Amsterdam)

  • Rogier J. D. Potter van Loon

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Martijn (M.J.) van den Assem

    (VU Amsterdam)

  • Dennie van Dolder

    (VU Amsterdam)

Abstract

This paper examines how within-match variation in incentives affects the performance of darts players. The game of darts offers an attractive naturally occurring research setting, because performance can be observed at the individual level and without obscuring effects of risk considerations and behavior of others. We analyze four data sets covering a total of 29,381 darts matches of professional, amateur, and youth players. We find that amateur and youth players display a sizable performance decrease at decisive moments. Professional players appear less susceptible of such choking under pressure. Our results speak to a growing literature on the limits of increasing incentives as a recipe for better performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Bouke Klein Teeselink & Rogier J. D. Potter van Loon & Martijn (M.J.) van den Assem & Dennie van Dolder, 2018. "Incentives, Performance and Choking in Darts," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 18-101/IV, Tinbergen Institute, revised 30 Sep 2019.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20180101
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Daniel Goller, 2023. "Analysing a built-in advantage in asymmetric darts contests using causal machine learning," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 325(1), pages 649-679, June.
    2. Masaya Nishihata & Suguru Otani, 2024. "Pressure, Reference Points, and Risk-Taking Behavior: Evidence from Bench Press Competitions," Papers 2409.13333, arXiv.org.
    3. Avkhimovich, N., 2024. "Should the strongest be the last? Strategic choice of ordering in sports relays," Journal of the New Economic Association, New Economic Association, vol. 62(1), pages 31-48.
    4. Enzo Brox & Daniel Goller, 2024. "Tournaments, Contestant Heterogeneity and Performance," Papers 2401.05210, arXiv.org, revised Oct 2024.
    5. Marius Ötting & Roland Langrock & Christian Deutscher & Vianey Leos‐Barajas, 2020. "The hot hand in professional darts," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 183(2), pages 565-580, February.
    6. Bucciol, Alessandro & Castagnetti, Alessandro, 2020. "Choking under pressure in archery," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 89(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    incentives; choking under pressure; performance; darts;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • Z20 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - General

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