In the diverse realm of sports betting, it’s not just traditional team sports that captivate the minds of punters. Darts, with its precise throws and palpable tension, has carved out a unique niche among betting enthusiasts. While the sport might seem straightforward, predicting outcomes is as complex and thrilling as in any other discipline. And though darts doesn’t typically deal with goal averages, savvy bettors often draw parallels and employ strategies from other sports. For example, just as there are aficionados hunting for leagues with over 3.5 goals in football, there are those in darts who meticulously analyze player averages and match dynamics to place well-informed bets. The convergence of data-driven strategy and the electrifying atmosphere of a darts match epitomizes the exhilaration of modern sports betting.
Darts is growing rapidly in popularity as both a spectator sport and a betting medium. With high-profile events like the PDC World Darts Championship and Premier League Darts attracting large crowds and television audiences, interest in betting on darts has also increased. This guide will introduce you to the basics of betting on darts, including an overview of common betting markets and terms. Whether you’re a seasoned sports bettor looking to expand into darts or a dart enthusiast interested in making matches more exciting, this guide will provide the information you need to understand darts betting fundamentals.
Match Winner
The most straightforward dart bet is simply picking the match winner. Known as a moneyline bet in other sports, this involves choosing either the red corner or the blue corner (or Player 1 vs Player 2 in some books) to win the match. This market will have odds for each player. For example, Player 1 may be +150 while Player 2 is -180, indicating the favorites and underdogs according to bookmakers. Picking the underdog generally yields a higher payout while betting on the favored player offers lower risk. To win, your selected player must win the match.
When deciding on a match winner dart bet, look at players’ form coming into the event along with historical head-to-head records if available. Top pros like Michael van Gerwen or Peter Wright will frequently be considerable favorites due to consistent high levels of performance and ranking. But upsets do happen, especially in short exhibition matches, so there can be value in taking an underdog if you feel the odds are favorable.
Handicap Betting
Handicap betting introduces a point spread into the match, leveling the playing field between two dart players of disparate skill levels. The better player is handicapped by a certain number of points or legs, with the odds adjusting accordingly. Common handicaps are -1.5 and -2.5 legs. If van Gerwen is playing an average pro and is handicapped -2.5 legs, he must not only win the match but win by at least 3 clear legs for a bet on him to cash.
Handicap betting requires analyzing players’ scoring and finishing capabilities along with consistency throwing at doubles. A heavy favorite must significantly outperform expectations for a large handicap bet to hit. Conversely, an underdog can lose the match but cover the spread and win the bet, introducing exciting late-match drama.
Total Legs/Sets Betting
Also called over/under betting, dart punters can wager on the total number of legs or sets in a match. Books will set lines generally ranging from 16.5 to 24.5 legs for matches best of 11 or 19 to 29.5 legs for matches best of 13. You simply bet whether the actual total will stay under or go over the posted total.
These bets require analyzing previous matches to get a sense of the scoring pace expected. Some player matchups slog along with tons of missed darts while others feature two quick starters racking up legs in rapid fire. Exhibitions tend to be faster paced while early round tournament matches can involve nerves reducing scoring efficiency. Pay attention to averages and 180 per leg rates to make smart calls on over/under lines.
Individual Round Betting
Most dart matches use a best-of-x legs format, usually ranging from best of 7 up to best of 13. Betting on the results of individual rounds or legs within the match is referred to as round betting. You are simply picking the round winner between Player 1 and Player 2 for whichever leg is currently underway.
Round betting requires quick reactions and nerves of steel as odds shift after each throw. But successfully predicting back-and-forth momentum swings or capitalizing on odds spikes after big visits can yield huge rewards. This market greatly enhances the excitement of watching scoring unfolding in real-time during a match.
Specialty Bets
Once you grasp the major dart betting options, books introduce many creative specialty bets to keep things interesting:
- 180s thrown – Bet on which player will throw the most 180s in a match. Useful for power scorers.
- High checkout – Bet on which player will have the highest checkout (doubling out) combination. Tests finishing skill.
- First 180 – Bet on who will throw the first 180 of the match. Good for aggressive starters.
- 180 in leg 1 – Bet on whether a 180 will be thrown in the opening leg. Assesses early nerves.
These are just a few examples of the distinct bets on offer. Shop around to find specialty bets tailored to specific matches, giving you more ways to dissect dart players’ strengths and weaknesses.
All in all, while darts betting can seem intimidating to beginners, the major markets require just a basic grasp of the sport itself to start wagering moneyline, handicap, total, and round bets. Specialty bets let you dig deeper into various facets of the pros’ games. By studying players’ form, historical matchups, scoring and finishing statistics, and workout reports, you can make intelligent betting decisions and potentially reap significant rewards. But always remember that any betting carries risk, so bet responsibly within your means and budget.