How To Bet On Darts? Three Game-Changing Tips!
Darts has gone from British pub sport to captivating viewers across the world. Legendary players like Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor now compete in front of rowdy sell-out crowds. There are constant events to bet on, including the PDC World Darts Championship and World Matchplay. In this article, we will show you exactly how to bet on darts and share some insider tips to help you win your first wager!
Find a Legit Bookmaker
The majority of bookmakers offer odds on darts tournaments, but that doesn’t mean you should sign up to the first one you come across. When finding a bookie, you should consider the following factors:
- Licensed - Avoid unlicensed bookies at all costs. These betting sites are operating illegally and are typically located offshore. If they run off with your money, there is very little you can do.
- Betting Markets - If a bookie only has match-winner markets on the PDC World Darts Championship, then give them a miss. The best bookies have 10 + bet types, including live markets for all games from the UK Open, World Cup of Darts, PDC Premier League Darts and other elite tournaments.
- Odds - The odds between different bookmakers can vary significantly. You can seriously boost your winnings by shopping around and placing bets with bookies that have the best betting odds on the market.
- Bonuses - Top-rated bookies have all kinds of promos that improve your odds of winning and limit your downside risk. Keep an eye out for bookmakers that provide free bets, odds boosts, loss rebates and bonus cash.
- Payment Methods - Don’t wait all day for your winnings to arrive! At the top bookmakers, you can deposit and cash out virtually instantly for free via debit/credit cards, online bank transfer and e-wallets.
- Customer Support - Some shady bookies try to shave costs by employing as few customer support agents as possible, this is a nightmare if something goes wrong with your account. Stick to betting sites that offer 24/7 customer support via live chat.
If you don’t have all day to analyse different bookies, don’t worry, we have personally tested the following betting sites. You’ll find that they consistently offer excellent odds on hundreds of darts tournaments throughout the year. In addition, be sure to take advantage of the incredible welcome bonuses on offer, many of which you can claim right now!
Pick the Right Darts Tournament & Bet Type
Before you place your first darts bet, you need to understand what the different darts tournaments are and how betting markets work. If you are new to darts betting, we recommend sticking to the major tournaments such as the PDC World Championship. This event takes place yearly in December/January and not only features the most elite players, but also a mouth-watering £2,000,000+ prize pool. Another great event is the World Grand Prix which is a double-in/double-out tournament and is an annual event in the UK. Previous winners include Johnny Clayton and Michael van Gerwen.
Now you have settled on a tournament, it is time to start snooping around the betting markets. Here are the most common darts bet types:
- Match Winner - Simply predict which player is going to win a match. For example, bet on Peter Wright to beat Michael Smith.
- Tournament Winner - Instead of predicting the outcome of a single match, you need to guess who will win a darts tournament. For example bet on Michael van Gerwen to win the World Championships.
- Total Sets - With this wager, you need to predict how many sets will be played in a game. For example, if the line is 6, you take the over and 7 sets are played, you win.
- Most 180s - 180 is the top score in darts. With this bet, you have to guess which player will rack up the most in a match or tournament.
- Highest Tournament Average - You need to calculate which player will have the highest dart average based on their average score from throwing 3 darts.
If you are new to darts betting, keep it simple and stick with match-winner bets. Once you get some experience, you can test out some more exotic markets.
Track Down a Winner
Now that you are signed up at a legit bookie and know what tournament you want to bet on, it is time to come up with a winning strategy. Here are a few tips that will have you picking winners in no time!
- Analyse historical results - Some players perform well at certain events while others struggle with a big live crowd. Players who always perform well under the bright lights include Peter Wright and Gerwyn Price.
- Bet on the underdog in short format matches - Most big dart tournaments use a five-legs per set format. However, the World Masters event uses a three legs per set format. During these shorter matches, upsets are more likely to occur, so it makes sense to bet against the favourite.
- See if there are arbitrage opportunities - If you have a free bet from a bookie, you can often guarantee a profit by using the free bet to wager on a darts match and then lay the opposite wager at a betting exchange. For example, let’s say you have a £10 free bet and use it to bet on Michael van Gerwen to beat Michael Smith at 2 to 1 odds. You then go to a betting exchange and lay a £5 bet on Michael van Gerwen to not win at 2 to 1 odds. No matter what happens, you are guaranteed at least a £10 profit, potentially even £15! The secret is finding back and lay odds which are as close as possible.
Betting on darts is a great way to get into the sport and make matches more exciting. Trust us, if you have money on Michael Smith winning the World Championships, you are going to be glued to your telly and jumping up and down, screaming, “180!” To give yourself the best odds of winning your next darts bet, remember to implement all of our tips above and sign up at one of our recommended bookmakers. Good luck!
