How to Bet on Darts
Darts has garnered a dedicated global following for its brilliant showdowns and nail-biting moments. While watching these world-class athletes aim for the bullseye is great, the enjoyment can be improved further for many fans through betting on the sport.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the ins and outs of betting on darts. From understanding the different competitions, markets and more, we've got you covered so that you can be knowledgeable when next placing bets on darts.
How Do Dart Matches Work
In dart matches, two players take turns throwing 3 darts at a dartboard in order to score points. The dartboard is divided into 20 sections, which represent 1-20. Within each segment, there are 2 rings: the upper-most ring awards double the number represented, and the innermost ring represents triple points. In the middle of the board, there is a circle with a ring around it known as the bullseye. The bullseye itself is worth 50 points, while the outside is worth 25.
The vast majority of darts competitions use the 501 scoring system. To win the game, players must get from 501 to 0 before the other player. The final dart, however, must land on a double. So, for example, if you only have 4 left, you must hit double 2 to win.
Why Do People Bet on Darts
Betting on darts is a way for many people to add an extra layer of enjoyment to one of their favourite sports. By placing bets, it can allow viewers to become more invested in certain matchups and dart players.
It is also an opportunity for darts fans to put their darts knowledge to use. Darts betting essentially comes down to making predictions using what you know about the sport and each player. Making predictions is a fun side hobby that can be enjoyable during a darts fixture.
Darts Competitions
When it comes to darts betting, the large majority of bettors place bets on the PDC tournaments. The Professional Darts Corporation houses the world's best players and has big-money events that take place all over the world and throughout the year. The jewel in the crown of darts is the PDC World Championship, which takes place at Christmas and the New Year.
Coming after the World Championship is the Premier League. This is an invitation-only event which takes place over a period of weeks. Every week, the selected ten players compete in a round-robin-style tournament. The top 4 players are then entered into a knockout-style competition at the end to determine the winner.
On top of this, there is also the World Matchplay, UK Open, Champions League of Darts, European Championship and many more.
Popular Betting Markets
There are several available betting markets when placing wagers on darts. In this section, we are going to go over some of the most popular betting markets fans of darts can use on upcoming fixtures.
Money Line
This is a very straightforward bet where you must predict who you think will win the match; this is one of the most simple betting formats in darts.
Outright
This betting market involves betting on which player you think will win a particular darts tournament or competition.
Leg/ Set Handicap
In leg or set handicap betting, 1 darts player has a predetermined number of legs or sets added or taken away from their final score to determine the outcome of the bet. For example, if you were to bet on a darts player with a leg handicap of -2.5, he would need to win the match by at least 3 legs for a successful bet. Therefore, a 10-7 victory would lead to a successful bet, whereas a 9-8 victory would not.
Leg/ Set, Over/ Under
This betting market involves betting whether or not you think a player will win over or under a certain number of legs or sets in a match. For example, if you bet on a darts player to win over 4.5 legs in a match, if he wins five legs or more, the bet is successful.
With this darts handicap and over/under betting, the player you bet on is not required to win the match for the bet to be successful. They simply need to achieve the parameters set by the bet.
Live Betting on Darts
Like many sports, you can bet on dart matches live. You can place bets and adjust your wagers based on what is happening live. Live betting offers a fun opportunity to analyse matches and make predictions on the fly.
Live betting can also provide opportunities to place some very smart bets. For example, let's say a pre-match favourite falls behind in a match; now, the odds for them to win will be better than ever. If you are still confident in their ability to win, then this could provide a unique betting opportunity that was once not available.
How to Find The Best Odds
Live betting can be great fun when you are able to react to the ever-changing markets effectively. However, being able to find these opportunities is a lot easier said than done. The same can be applied to placing bets in general. This is why we recommend using online betting tools to find the best odds, no matter which sport you want to place bets on.
There are betting tools out there which can help you compare odds in seconds and find the best markets. There are other betting tools, such as matched betting calculators, which can help you view your expected losses and profits so that you can finetune your bets or engage in matched betting.
Summary
Darts is one of the biggest sports in the UK, with millions tuning in to watch some of the biggest competitions. As a result, it is not surprising that many people also choose to bet on the sport. We hope this article has been helpful in showing how you can bet on darts in the future. Always remember to gamble responsibly if you do choose to partake in this hobby.
