Best darts betting guide and top winning strategies

Darts has come a long way from being a simple pub game to becoming a global sporting phenomenon.

As a spectator sport it has everything you could desire – strong characters, intense playing format and lots of potential for viral moments.

Darts is incredibly popular, as evidenced by the crowds it draws, tv viewership figures and the electrifying atmosphere.

Darts is equally appealing to bettors. All year long, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) hosts leagues, competitions and tournaments around the world - both ranked and non-ranked. The majority of which are broadcast on television or online, allowing bettors to follow player form and results.

Here, we take a closer look at darts, the rules of the game and betting strategies that come with the sport. 

What are the rules of darts?

A circular dartboard with a diameter of 451 mm (17.8 in) and 20 equal-numbered sections is used to play darts. A metal wire divides each part, and the numbers go from 1 to 20.

There are two smaller sections for double and triple point scoring in addition to the main area in each segment. These are frequently called "beds." 

The board has two rings in the centre, with the bullseye (worth 50 points) in the centre and the outer bullseye (worth 25 points) surrounding it.

In order to get points, players throw darts and attempt to hit the segments which offer the most points.

To throw the darts, each player must stand behind a line known as the oche, which is exactly  2.37 metres (7 feet 9 inches) from the board.

During each visit to the oche, players alternately throw three darts at a time. Both players start on 501 points and attempt to get down to zero with the fewest darts possible. In order to win a leg, a player must finish by hitting the double or the bullseye.

How does scoring work in darts?

Darts matches can be played in legs or sets. Most tournaments use a ‘best of’ structure for legs. This means that a ‘best of 11 legs" match means the first player to win six legs is the winner.

Set mode incorporates both legs and sets, meaning a player might have to win three legs to win the set. The exact numbers of legs and sets depends on the tournament and the stage of the match. The further you go in the tournament, the more legs and sets you’ll be expected to win.

Also, darts scoring does not start at zero and go up as you earn points, in contrast to the majority of other sports. The scoring system for darts is reversed. The goal of the game is to get from 501 or 301, to zero in as few darts as possible.

Whatever the player scores will be subtracted from their total on each visit to the oche, bringing it down to zero.

As previously mentioned, the player must hit a bullseye or double score in order to complete a leg. Singles, trebles or the outer bull won’t allow players to check out.

For instance, they must throw a double 20 if they still have 40 points on the board. They need a double eight if there are still sixteen on the board.

Are you still with us? Or are you confused? Well, let us confuse you even further.

Some tournaments play around with the rules. At the Grand Prix of Darts, for instance, players must start every leg by hitting a double.

 

Point scoring in darts

In darts, throwing three treble 20s in a single oche visit yields the highest possible score of 180.

The loud "one hundred and eighty" cry that darts callers make when the score is thrown is recognisable to many. The crowd often erupts when a player hits the ‘max’.

Matches played at the highest level include a high number of 180 scores, making this a common betting market.

The fastest possible way to complete a single leg of 501 darts takes nine darts - also known as a nine darter. Here, the player uses just nine darts to win the leg in just three visits.

Although there are over 3000 methods to complete a nine-darter, the most popular method is to throw a treble 20, treble 19, and double 12 after scoring two 180s with the first six darts.

Although they are rare, nine dart finishes do occur, therefore gamblers can bet on this as well.

 

Checkouts in darts

The process of taking your score down to zero on your last visit is known as a darts checkout. This is where you win a leg.

The highest possible checkout in darts is 170. This is the highest score that can be mathematically achieved to checkout a leg. This is called the Big Fish and consists of two 180s followed by a bullseye.

Other named checkouts include the Shanghai, which is a checkout that uses each component of a single number, such as a single 20, treble 20, and double 20, or the Little Fish checkout, which is a treble 20, single 20, and bullseye (130 checkout).

Checkouts are a very popular betting market, and bookmakers typically offer a number of options.

Since two is the lowest number on the board that can be created with a double, it is evident that it has the lowest checkout in darts.

 

How do darts players take turns?

The player who starts a leg of darts is said to ‘has the darts’. Throwing first provides an advantage considering that player is expected to beat his rival to the checkout stage.

On the other hand, if a player who ‘had the darts’ scores poorly, their opponent may pass them and reach checkout first. A ‘break of throw’ occurs when a player wins a leg without throwing the first three darts.

In this way, darts and tennis are extremely similar. In tennis, the player who is serving is considered to have a big advantage, and breaking the serve - or throw in darts - is a crucial part of winning a game.

 

Common betting markets in darts

With the darts season taking place throughout the year, with leagues and tournaments coming thick and fast, there are countless betting opportunities. 

Here, we take a closer look at some of the most popular markets.

 

Match winner or outright winner

This one is pretty straight forward.

Simply speaking, this is betting on the player you think will win the match. Outright winner means betting on a player who you think will win the tournament/competition.

These bets can be placed both before and during the tournament. Usually, the best odds are available in advance, particularly for the underdogs.

 

Correct score

Another self-explanatory market. Here, you bet on the precise result of a darts match. 

For instance, you may bet on Michael van Gerwen or Peter Wright to win a certain match 6-0, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, or 6-5.

 

Correct score in sets

You can bet on what you believe the precise set score will be if the darts match involves sets. 

For instance, you might bet on a certain player to win 4-0, 4-1, 4-2, or 4-3 if the match is best of 7 sets contest.

This market is best utilised when a match is ongoing. If a player is going through a frustrating period, you may be inclined to bet on him getting whitewashed in the next set. Or vice versa.

 

Handicap betting

Just like in other sports, handicap markets are also popular in darts. In order to make betting odds more equal, one of the players is given a virtual lead or deficit in scoring. For example, the odds on the favourite will be so low that it is not worth betting on if they are facing a player with a lower ranking.

As a result, the favourite is assigned a handicap, for example -2.5, which would require them to win by three leg margins for the wager to be successful.

Three dart averages betting

This market is typically only accessible during major tournament events. In essence, it centres on the average score a player will receive for each of their three darts during a match.

A three-dart average of above 95 is what most elite players aim for, though this can change based on how well they play. However, you have the option to wager on it, and it is typically an under/over wager.

 

Most 180s betting

In each particular match, you can bet on which player will have the most 180s. You also have the option of betting on the number of 180s that will occur throughout a match or even a tournament.

Keep in mind, some players tend to be heavy 180 scorers while others won’t. A good example is someone like James Wade, who has been one of the best players in darts for the last couple of decades, but isn’t a massive 180 hitter.

 

Checkout betting

It is possible to bet on which player will have the highest checkout during a game. 

You also have the option on betting on each player's checkout total, such as how many 140+ checkouts Luke Littler will make in a match.

 

Nine darter betting

We already spoke a little bit about nine darters. This concerns winning a leg with only nine darts. While it is rare, bookmakers tend to make this market available.  

Simply speaking, you are betting on whether there will be a nine-dart finish in a particular match.

 

Best darts betting strategies

There are a number of important factors to take into account while placing darts bets. Here, we take you through a few of them.

 

Player form

With weekly matches against their primary opponents, Premier League Darts is an excellent opportunity to evaluate how the top eight players are doing at the beginning of the season.

The Order of Merit can also provide insight into a player's success. These do not provide reliable information about recent form, because they are typically taken over a longer time period and are centred on player prize winnings.

Examining the outcomes of the most recent tournaments - not just the winners, but also the statistics - is the best approach to assess current form.

Statistics on a player's individual checkout percentage, three dart average, treble percentage, number of 180s scored and others go a long way in deciding which way to bet.

 

Head-to-head record

Studying past matches between the two particular players is a smart idea in any head-to-head sport, like tennis, football or darts.

Darts is a sport that is known for rivalries, and depending on their past head-to-head performance, players may occasionally have a psychological edge over their rivals.

Even though both players might be in excellent form, one player's speed or style may turn off the other. 

James Wade and Ricky Evans are two players we will use as an example. Some would claim Evans would struggle in such match as his rapid-fire style is disrupted by Wade’s slower, more methodical approach.

It is a smart idea to consider both player form and the opponent before placing a darts bet.

 

Match or tournament format

Certain darts player excel in different formats. Some favour playing in a race to a certain number of legs, while others prefer to slug it out in sets. This can have an impact on betting.

While a straight legs game is a simple race to the finish, you have to be a lot more strategic when it comes to a set format.

In a set match, you can win more legs and still lose because you did not win the appropriate legs when you needed to.

There have been two World Championship finals in which Phil Taylor lost, despite winning more overall legs than his opponent. It’s rare but it does happen. 

 

Biggest mistakes in darts betting

Here, we take a look at some of the biggest mistakes to avoid when deciding to have a bet on the darts.

 

Betting with one bookmaker

Before placing a bet, you’re advised to shop around for the best odds. Different bookmakers will offer different prices and the onus is on you to find the best deal. Also, be aware of any special offers or cashback when placing your bet.

 

Only backing the big names

While it may be tempting to stick with the big names every single time, you will be better off backing lower ranked players in certain matches.

Darts has come a long way and there are players ranked 50 and below who are capable of upsets - especially at the Players Championship events where there is no crowd.

It’s true that favourites win more than they lose. But make sure to always ask yourself if the odds for the favourite offer enough reward for the risk.

 

Don't ignore the underdog

Darts is a fickle beast and players experience all kinds of mental pressures on the oche, that may not be seen by the average viewer.

A match that on paper looks like a simple win for one player, could have a very different outcome.

Score, crowd and rival player pressure can play a big part in performance and players can visibly unravel during a match if things aren't going their way.

Therefore, your biggest profits could come from putting your chips on an underdog, especially in a high pressure event like the World Championship, which has seen many big names crash out to unknown qualifiers.

For example, sheet metal worker Kirk Sheperd reached the final of the 2008 World Championship and was 1000/1 before the tournament began.

 

Don't ignore form

Just like in football or any other sport, darts players go through spells of good and bad form. Doing a little bit of research can go a long way in helping you maximise your rewards.