JELLE KLAASEN is targeting a play-off place in his Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts debut season.
The young Dutchman will make his first appearance in the tournament on Thursday at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, taking on Terry Jenkins.
With a further 13 league nights in front of crowds of up to 8,000 fans to follow the Liverpool event, Klaasen admits that he will gain great experience in the next three months.
"If I play well I know I can make the semi-finals," said Klaasen.
"I'll be trying to do that and if I make it then it's great. If not, it's only my first time and it's going to be a great experience.
"For me, the most important thing is getting the experience. I've played on a lot of stages but to play in front of so many people can only be good for you.
"People have told me that it's amazing to play in front of so many people, totally different. But I think I can handle it and I'll be fine."
Klaasen burst onto the professional scene with victory in the 2006 Lakeside Championship, defeating Premier League rival Raymond van Barneveld in the final, but admits he initially found it tough to adapt to a full-time darts career.
"Maybe it came too quickly, but nobody can take that away from me," he added.
"I'm glad I won the Lakeside but it's been like a rollercoaster for me with the ups and downs since.
"I think in all the TV tournaments I've been in since I have played well. When I've lost I've lost because of missed doubles, not because I've played badly.
"I've been practising a lot in the last couple of years, three or four hours every day, and have done a lot to get here.
"Everybody in Holland likes the decision to put me in the Premier League and I've only had compliments.
"People seem to like seeing me on TV - maybe I look different and am a good image for darts - and think I deserve it, and hopefully I can give them some good entertainment."
Tickets for the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts at the Echo Arena in Liverpool are still available - call 0844 8000 400 to purchase.
Watch the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts live on Sky Sports, and in HD, and follow the tournament in PDCtv.