Hitting the Punting Bullseye: Darts Betting Guide

The easy-to-play but surprisingly difficult sport of darts exploded in popularity during the 1970s and '80s – emerging from the pubs and clubs of the land to national prominence. The early 90s witnessed a dip in the popularity of the tungsten warriors, but fast forward to 2024, and the game has never been bigger, thanks to headline-grabbing new talents such as Luke Littler, the booming popularity of the festive highlight that is the PDC World Championship, and the birth of Premier League Darts.

These days, barely a week passes by without a darts tournament of some description – many of which benefit from TV coverage – meaning fans of the "arrers" have a steady stream of action to follow throughout the year. And, of course, if you can watch it, you can bet on it.

Bookmakers' sponsorship has served as a key catalyst in the 21st-century darting explosion, and firms are only too happy to provide odds on events, both big and small. For those new to betting on bullseyes, we present a guide to one of the most exciting punting sports on the planet.

Biggest Darts Tournaments

As mentioned, those seeking to place a darting wager will rarely be short of choice, with circuit events running almost continuously throughout the year. However, as in most sports, some tournaments stand tall above the rest.

• PDC World ChampionshipThe biggest darts tournament, bar none, and the one they all want to win. The PDC World Championship is held at the Alexandra Palace between mid-December and early January each year
• Premier League DartsLaunched in 2005, the Sky Sports-backed Premier League has taken the darting world by storm. Held weekly between February and May at British, Irish, German, and Dutch venues, the event sees eight of the top players in the game compete for points ahead of the Play-Off finals in London
• UK OpenA 168-player knockout event at Butlins, Minehead, in March. Utilising a random draw after each round and using a Legs format, the UK Open is known as the FA Cup of darts
• World MatchplaySummertime sees the action switch to the Winter Gardens for the World Matchplay. This legs-based tournament takes place in July.
• World Grand PrixTraditionally held in Dublin, this distinctive event has called Leicester home since 2021. Getting underway in October, this Autumn highlight is the only televised tournament which requires players to start and end on a double
• Players Championship FinalsOctober/November sees the top 64 players on the PDC Order of Merit descend on Butlins for this hugely popular knockout competition
• European Darts ChampionshipThis October event sees the top 32 players on the European Order of Merit lock horns in a legs-based format

Types of Darts Bets

• Outright BetsA Bet on a player to win a specific tournament. Each way betting usually pays out on the two players who make the final. For the bigger events you can also bet on players to win their quarter or half of the draw
• Match BetsA Bet on a player to win a match. Many top betting sites also offer In-Play match betting
• Most 180s BetsAs the name suggests, this is a punt on which of the two players will throw the most 180s in a match
• Over/Under BetsThis is most often a bet on whether a match will go over or under a specified number of sets or legs
• Handicap BetsIn handicap betting, the underdog received a theoretical head start – expressed in terms of legs or sets, depending on the format. An example of a handicap bet would be Luke Littler (-1.50 legs) and Michael Smith (+1.50 legs). Those punting on Littler -1.50 would need the teen sensation to win the match by two or more legs for their bet to be a winner

Darts Betting: Key Pointers

So that’s the main events, and the types of bets available, but how should punters bet on the race to turn 501 into 0? As with any betting pursuit, there are many factors to weigh up, but the following list represents a solid start on the road to darting gold.

• ResearchFirst things first; if you are serious about betting on darts, you will need to follow the sport. There are many excellent darts stats sites available (The Darts Database and Darts Orakel are two of the best) enabling you to delve into the performance aspects of the top players. Key stats to look for include Checkout Percentage and Average Score per throw. Always place more importance on recent form as, like many sportsmen, Darts players can experience peaks and troughs in performance
• Playing ConditionsMany of the season's darts tournaments are floor events – essentially behind-closed-doors affairs with either a limited crowd or no crowd at all. The darts world is littered with players who rack up impressive stats in these floor events, only to fall to pieces under the bright lights of the Stage events – such as those outlined above. When considering a bet in a major darts tournament, always check that the player has demonstrated they can perform to their best when the pressure is on.
• Consider Shocks in Shorter FormatsThe shorter the format, the more likely it is that a shock will occur. It is unlikely that a low-seeded player will conquer one of the world’s best in a best-of-13-sets match. However, they may well outplay their rival over two sets – which can be all it takes to win in the best of 3 sets first round at the Darts Grand Prix, for example. If you are looking to back an outsider or two, the early rounds of a tournament are the best time to do it
• Study the throwIn high-pressure matchups, a sound strategy is to support the player with the more natural throwing action. Those with a very deliberate, manufactured style are more likely to crack slightly, which, in a game of fine margins can be the difference between winning and losing
• Consider outside factorsIn a game which requires supreme concentration, a clear mind can be essential to success. In addition to studying the stats, it can pay to focus on any significant events involving a player. Those returning from illness or injury may be physically fit to play, but it can take weeks or months before they slip back into their successful rhythm. Be wary of supporting these players upon their return, but follow their form to spot signs of improvement before the oddsmakers do. Emotional turmoil can also play a role – will a player going through a divorce or in the headlines for all the wrong reasons really be ready to show his best

Darts can present a fun-filled, tension-packed punting experience, and is an excellent night out if the Premier League comes calling to a town near you. Bearing the above in mind may help you hit more betting bullseyes than disappointing missed doubles, but, as always, gamble responsibly.

Other Guides: 

An Online Betting Guide For Beginner Punters

Rugby League Betting Guide

Cricket In Play Betting Guide