If we are talking popular in the U.K., then yes darts is popular and more so than snooker.

Go to China and there were 250 million viewers for the World Snooker Semi Final last year. Just under a quarter of China's 1.3b population, now that is popular! Equivalent of getting 15-16 million viewers here, just as much as the Euro 16 final got in the summer.

It is growing every year, but I feel the "grassroots" of the game is very poor in this country. If it is not easily accessible by kids it will not grow. Snooker clubs are dark and shady places normally occupied by 40 and 50 year olds coughing and spluttering after having 10 fags in the past hour. I know there are a few Snooker clubs in South Wales advertising that they are "family friendly", but if I had a young girl I'd be unsure whether I'd like to take her to such a place.

I should note that I still go to Snooker clubs 2-3 times a month.