Darts, like football and cricket, originated in Britain but has since expanded its reach globally, becoming increasingly popular across the world thanks to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Darts has a plethora of tournaments in a variety of formats, from traditional set format to straight matchplay.
Regardless of the format, each darts competition offers a range of betting opportunities that add an extra layer of excitement to the sport. This guide delves into the various betting options available, from the high-stakes environment of the World Championship to the rapid pace of Premier League Darts matches. It offers darts betting tips and strategies to improve your betting experience across these diverse formats.
Main Darts Betting Markets
Darts betting offers a diverse array of markets, from straightforward match-win bets to intricate options, appealing to both experienced and novice bettors. Let’s delve into the main darts betting markets and their impact on betting strategies.
Match Winner
The most common darts betting market is simply predicting the winner of a given match. This is usually a simple 2-way market but some league formats may include the draw option as Premier League Darts did for many years.
Handicap Betting
This market is a popular choice when there is an overwhelming favourite to win which can happen a lot in darts matches, especially in the earlier rounds of competitions. Handicap betting levels the playing field and helps balance the odds by giving the underdog a virtual head start.
For example, if the favourite has a handicap of -2.5 sets (or legs), they need to win by at least 3 sets for a bet on them to pay out. Conversely, the underdog may be given a +2.5 set handicap, meaning they can afford to lose by up to 2 sets, and handicap bets on them would still win.
Most 180s
A “Most 180s” bet in darts is a wager on which player will score the most 180s (the highest score possible with three darts) during a match. When trying to predict a match winner looks too difficult to call, the most 180s market is always worth a look as it does not matter who wins. Some players are known for their 180 hitting while others will switch to treble 19 more often meaning they hit less maximums. Keep an eye on their recent throwing styles when assessing the odds.
Total 180s
In this over or under darts bet, a line is set by the bookmakers on the total number of 180 scores expected in a match. Your bet is based on whether you predict the actual total of 180s will be higher or lower than this betting line.
For example, the line could be set at 8.5 which means if you bet the Over option there has to be at least nine 180s scored for the bet to win. If you bet on the Under option then there can be no more than eight 180s for the bet to succeed.
Correct Score
As with football, the correct score market asks you to predict the exact final score of the match. Although quite difficult to do, the odds will be much more favourable than the straight win bet. You can cover several correct score outcomes to increase your chances.
Total Legs / Sets
This is another Over/Under market where you bet on whether the total number of sets or legs will be higher or lower than the bookmaker’s established line.
Highest Checkout
Yet another Over/Under market but this time on the highest checkout of the match. The bookmaker will provide the line, 121.5 for example and you bet on if the highest finish (by either player) will be above or below this set line.
Player with Highest Checkout
This market allows you to bet on which player you think will score the highest checkout in the match. New kid on the block Luke Littler loves leaving the maximum 170 finish so he is sometimes worth a closer look in this market.
Combination Multiple Bets
Combination bets in darts are a type of betting where you place a wager on several different outcomes either within the same game or across multiple games.
This could include betting on the winners of multiple matches, the total number of 180s scored across these matches, or predicting specific players’ high checkout score. To win a combination bet, all your predictions must be correct, making it a higher risk bet but offering much greater odds than single bets.
Other Darts Betting Markets
- Ante Post Betting - In addition to betting on individual matches you can also bet on the outright winner of a tournament.
- Player 180s - 180 betting also lets you focus on just one player and predict how many 180s they will get.
- Match Treble - A popular darts bet, especially where there is a heavy favourite, is the ‘match treble’. For this bet to win the player not only has to win the match, but also to get the most 180s and the highest checkout.
- Match Double - This bet is for your chosen player just to win and hit the most 180s so no need to worry about who gets the highest checkout.
Darts Betting Strategies
Betting on darts can greatly enhance the excitement of watching a live match, adding an extra layer of engagement. For those aspiring to win money consistently, it’s crucial to have a thorough understanding of the game and to conduct detailed research.
This approach enables you to make well-informed and strategic choices in your darts betting. Below are some key darts betting strategies to consider as a beginner:
Start Simple
If you are new to darts betting it’s best to stick to simple match betting at first. Betting on the winner of a match is a straightforward approach. As a beginner, you can start here before exploring more complex darts bets.
Research Form & Stats
Check recent performances and how players have historically fared against each other. A player in good form or with a strong record against their opponent can be a safer bet. Some players also perform better in the quieter ‘floor events’ rather than up on the big stage under the glare of the tv cameras.
Watch Social Media
Follow darts news, player interviews, and statistics. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on the darts players’ social media activity. You can easily follow them all on X (formerly Twitter) or keep them in a special list. It can often provide useful info, for example if they are not feeling well. Being informed can give you an edge in making betting decisions.
Utilise Betting Offers
There are always plenty of promotions centred around darts betting such as early payouts, money back specials and odds boosts. You can find all the latest darts betting offers right here on Freebets.com.
Using these offers as part of your routine can greatly enhance your long term profits. For example during the World Championship, Boylesports paid out bets early if your player went two sets up, or three sets up in later rounds which is a tremendous offer.
Major Darts Tournaments
The most prestigious darts tournament is the renowned PDC World Darts Championship, held at Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally) in London. This iconic event occurs over the Christmas period and concludes shortly after the New Year with the crowning of the new world darts champion.
In 2024, Luke Humphries claimed his first world title by defeating Luke Littler 6-4 in the final.
The next major tournaments that all darts players aspire to win are the PDC World Matchplay, held in sunny Blackpool in July, and the invitational Premier League Darts, a weekly event.
These three tournaments make up darts’ Triple Crown events. Only three players, Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson, have achieved the PDC Triple Crown in their careers.
Here are some of the other top tournaments on the darts calendar.
- UK Open - The event, held at Butlin’s Minehead, is commonly known as the “FA Cup of darts,” featuring an unseeded, open draw after each round and welcoming players from all levels of the sport.
- World Grand Prix - Held in Dublin, this event is unusual in that players also have to start each leg with a double. “Double in, in Dublin”.
- Grand Slam Of Darts - Now a ranking-tournament, this PDC event is held annually in Wolverhampton.
Darts Betting FAQs
How Does Darts Betting Work?
Darts betting involves placing wagers on various outcomes in a darts match or tournament, such as the winner, scorelines, or specific achievements like the number of 180s.
What Types of Darts Bets Can I Place?
You can simply bet on the winner of a match or tournament, or opt for one of the many other markets available such as the highest checkout or which player scores the most 180s.
What Does +1.5 Mean in Darts?
In darts betting, +1.5 is a handicap bet that means that the underdog is given a 1.5 set (or leg) advantage. This means they can still lose the match by 1 set and a bet on them at +1.5 will be successful.
Is There Live Betting Available on Darts?
Yes, most major bookmakers provide live odds along with live streaming or graphical simulations of the action so you can bet as the game unfolds.
