The Evolution of Darts: A Sport on the Rise

No sport has seen a transformation quite like darts over the past two decades. What once was a simple pub game with limited TV exposure has grown into a major sport with regular TV coverage, and its popularity continues to soar. Today, darts fans can enjoy a huge range of tournaments, almost weekly, thanks to the increased visibility and accessibility of the sport.

This surge in popularity has attracted a new wave of fans, and betting sites have responded by offering numerous darts markets, making it easy for fans to get involved. Many have turned to betting on darts as the sport has grown, resulting in the creation of more betting options. Both seasoned fans and newcomers can enjoy betting on darts, making it a major part of the sport’s fan experience.

Whether you’re placing a bet on a player to win a tournament or wagering on the handicap line for a single match, there’s something for everyone. Fans who follow darts closely will find plenty of opportunities to make a profit from their knowledge. At the same time, casual fans looking to add interest while watching the sport will also find plenty of ways to get involved.

Outright Betting

For those new to betting on darts, outright betting is the simplest way to get started. This involves betting on a player to win a tournament outright. Many tournaments last one or two weeks, and placing a bet on a player to win the entire event can provide excitement throughout the competition.

Even the favorite players are often available at good odds before a tournament begins, making this market attractive to bettors. While betting on individual matches may offer short odds, outright betting provides a chance to back your favorite player at better odds, hoping they go all the way to win.

This is an ideal market for newcomers to darts betting because of its simplicity. All you need to do is pick the player you think will win the tournament and enjoy the ride!

The Main Win Markets

The main win market focuses on betting on individual matches, which is straightforward but often offers low odds. For this reason, many bettors prefer to place accumulators, combining several games into one bet. This approach is ideal for those attending or watching a full night of darts on TV.

Although placing a single bet on one match might not offer great returns, combining five or six games from the same night into an accumulator can boost your potential winnings. If you’re looking for a bet that resolves quickly, this is a great option since it allows you to collect your winnings after a single session, rather than waiting for the entire tournament to conclude.

This market is perfect for casual fans and beginners, as it’s easy to understand. While backing single games might not be worthwhile, combining multiple matches into an accumulator can offer attractive odds.

Handicap Betting

Handicap betting allows you to enhance the odds on heavy favorites by betting on a player with a fictional handicap line created by the bookmaker. This approach offers better odds but adds an extra challenge to your bet.

Each bookmaker creates its own handicap lines, so it’s important to shop around for the best odds. A slight difference in the line or price can significantly impact your bet, so always look for the bookmaker offering the most favorable terms.

In handicap betting, you’re betting on a player to win either with an advantage or against a player with an advantage. For instance, if you’re backing the favorite, they may be given a -1.5 sets handicap, meaning they need to win by two or more sets for your bet to succeed. If you believe a player will win comfortably, this market can offer better odds than a straightforward win bet.

While handicap betting is more complex, it offers great value for those with a deep understanding of the sport. Beginners might want to avoid this market until they gain more confidence and knowledge about the players and matches.

Alternative Markets

For experienced bettors and darts fans, there are several alternative markets to explore, both for outright tournaments and individual matches. These markets are more complicated, but they also provide an opportunity to find great value if you believe a bookmaker has mispriced an event.

Outright Markets

In addition to betting on a player to win the tournament, you can now bet on options such as “to reach the quarter-finals” or “to reach the semi-finals.” This is a good option if you believe a player will perform well but may not win the entire tournament. Betting on a player to reach a specific stage allows you to back them without the need for an outright victory.

You can also use this market as a hedge on your outright bet. For example, if you’ve backed a player to win a tournament, you could also back them to reach the semi-finals as insurance. This way, if they fall short in the semis or final, you still receive a return on your investment.

Game Markets

There are also many alternative markets available for individual games, with one of the most popular being the market for the total number of 180s scored in a game. You can bet on this for each player or for the match total. The typical betting format is an over/under line. For example, if the line is 5.5, you would bet on either over (6 or more 180s) or under (5 or fewer 180s).

This market is perfect for those who want an interest in the game regardless of the winner, focusing on exciting moments like 180s being thrown.

There are plenty of ways to bet on darts, making it easy for newcomers to get involved. While some markets can be more complex, beginners should stick to the simpler markets until they gain experience and confidence.

Outright win markets and individual game markets are excellent entry points for those new to darts betting. These options don’t require extensive knowledge of betting or the sport itself. An outright bet on a favorite player can add excitement as you root for them to win the title, while an accumulator on individual matches gives you interest in each game of the night.

For experienced bettors, handicap betting and alternative markets like 180s provide opportunities to capitalize on in-depth knowledge of the sport. No matter your level of expertise, darts offers something for everyone, and with the wide range of betting markets now available, it’s easier than ever to get involved.