Darts betting guide: How to bet on the PDC World Tour

We have unpacked how to bet on darts, how darts odds work, why the format of the darts tournament matters and how to bet on darts live.It is important to note that all UK betting sites mentioned in this PDC darts betting guide holds a UK Gambling Commission licence. Read MoreDarts betting markets explainedLearning how to bet on sport involves understanding the different markets and how they settle, and for any one darts match, betting site can provide 30+ markets to choose from. We’ve taken a look at the most common darts betting markets, examining how they work and what it takes for a bet to win.Match winnerThe match winner market in darts odds is the simplest form of darts betting. Bettors are simply predicting who will win the darts match, which is decided by a player winning a certain number of legs or sets.There is no tie in darts match-ups, so bettors are only presented with two options when looking at this market. Combining match winner bets into an accumulator, such as a fourfold or bigger, is a popular option in darts, with value hard to find at times in match markets where a top player is facing an amateur. Handicap marketsIf value hunters are struggling to find a match bet in darts that appeals, they may be best served looking at the handicap betting options. A handicap gives the underdog a head start in legs or sets (for example +1.5) and hands a virtual disadvantage to the favourite (-1.5). For the bet to win, the underdog has to either win or lose by less legs/sets specified in the handicap. The favourite needs to win by more than the handicap they were handed for the best to land. So, in our example, a bet on the underdog would win if they lost the best-of-three contest 3-2. Correct scoreA correct score bet is a wager on the final score of a darts match. The more legs/set there are in a game, the more correct score options a bettor will have to choose from. Player props: 180s, checkouts & nine-darterOther darts betting markets include player props like hitting a 180, highest checkout, or even a nine-dart finish. A checkout percentage market is typically a bet based on form, so it rewards players studying the tour data. Typically, UK bookmakers rarely offer odds on whether a 180 will be scored in professional darts, as it is almost certain to happen in most standard PDC matches.Instead, darts betting odds focus on how many 180s will be scored or who will score them, with traders often compiling props like Over/Under and Most 180s bets. The nine-dart finish prop bet is a novelty market with a long price, and it should be treated as a fun bet. Even in the World Championship, the expectancy to see a nine-dart finish at some stage in the competition is up around 10/1+ in darts betting odds.Tournament winnerBet on the winner of a particular tournament. Odds are available on betting apps before the event begins and at the end of play on that day, when the odds will be refreshed based on the results and competitors still in the tournament.Legs or set: Why the format matters in darts bettingIt is always advised to check the format of a competition before betting on darts because a short-format match favours the underdog and obviously affects the probabilities of the number of 180s being struck, for example.Most PDC events are played over legs, which sees players try to get down from 501 to zero in the fewest darts. However, the World Darts Championship is played over sets. A set is a fire too three legs contest, so more darts are thrown, meaning the favourite has more time to take control and boosting the potential chances of 180s or a 170 checkout being recorded.How to bet on darts in three stepsTo place a bet on darts, the procedure is the same as it is for any other sports, whether it is Premier League darts betting or another format or competition. The majority of UK betting sites offer darts betting in some capacity, but the best darts betting sites will offer more markets, in-play betting or even live streaming on darts. Some darts tournaments on the tour are obscure so it is in the interest of the bettor to check and see if the bookie has darts betting odds available for the full tour rather than just the bigger televised events. A bookmaker that covers darts well should offer odds on the tournament before anyone steps up to the oche, giving bettors the chance to place an outright bet on the competition winner or quarter win in big events like the World Darts Championship. Once the draw is made, match markets offer bettors the chance to wager on individual matches. Those match markets can include match winner, handicap options, and total betting, such as total legs and 180s in the game. Before placing a bet on darts, make sure to have done your due diligence on the wager and checked your are getting the best betting odds with that particular bookmaker. If you are ready, add the bet to your bet slip and enter your stake, remembering never to bet more than you can afford.Live darts betting: How in-play markets workDarts is a fast moving game both in terms of play and betting odds, and therefore there is volatility in live darts odds and how a match price is built. A single leg can move a match price more than a goal in football does, for example. Live darts odds have to adjust quickly in-play, so there is plenty of room for mispricing on behalf of the odds compilers.Punters should decide on their bet and position before the first throw is even made rather than chasing a price in-play. In-play darts markets usually include the next leg winner, match winner, total 180s, total legs and more.Read MoreResponsible gamblingGambling is only for adults aged 18 and over. Betting costs most players money, and losses are the usual result over time. It is advisable to set up a deposit limit first, use disposable funds and check spending against it. Setting a budget is the best way to go before a first bet for anyone following this darts betting guide, and treat it as the price of entertainment. Deposit limits, loss limits and reality checks tools are available with every UKGC-licensed site named in this darts betting guide.For anyone needing to advice on gambling addiction, free, confidential help is available from the following organisations:GamStop BeGambleAware GamCare NHSGamblers anonymousThe National Gambling Helpline number is 0808 8020 133.Darts betting FAQsHow does handicap betting work in darts?A virtual handicap is assigned to both players, with the underdog getting a head start in terms or legs or sets and the favourite starting with a disadvantage of the same value. A bet on the handicap wins if a player cover the handicap in the final score.A 180 is the maximum score from three darts. Bets are usually on the total number of 180s in a match or on which player hits the most.Is a nine-dart finish bet worth it?It is a novelty market with a long price, so it is best treated as a fun bet.How quickly does a darts bet settle?Darts bets settle almost immediately after the game or event concludes, especially at the top darts betting sites. Withdrawing winnings depends on the bettors’ preferred payment option. The operator's processing time and the payment provider's clearing time are two separate waits.