While it started as a game that folks play at UK pubs, darts has now become a professional sports game that has become quite popular in UK sportsbooks. Below is an all-inclusive guide on how to bet on darts.
We cover everything, including how darts are played, including the dartboard scoring system and the types of darts matches, that is, leg and set matches. We’ve also explored some of the darts tournaments at UK sportsbooks, including the PDC World Championship, Darts Premier League, and more. And that’s not all; we’ve also provided some tips for betting on darts.
How about we begin this guide from the top, by taking a look at how darts matches work, shall we?
Dartboard Scoring
Let’s start by discussing dartboard scoring. Normally, a dartboard is divided into 20 sections, that is sections 1 to 20, with each sector representing the number of points one will receive when their dart(s) land on that section. So, when a player’s dart lands on section 20, they’ll score 20 points.
In addition to the 20 sections, a dartboard is also usually divided into two rings: the inner ring and the outer ring.
When a player’s dart lands on a section in the outer ring, they’ll score double the points. For instance, if the dart lands in section 1 in the outer ring, they’ll score 2 points.
On the other hand, if a player’s dart lands on a section in the inner ring, they’ll score triple the points. So, if the dart lands in section 20 in the inner ring, they’ll score 60 points.
Then, there’s the bullseye, which is the center of the dartboard. Normally, the bullseye is divided into two sections: the inner and outer bullseye. When a player’s dart lands in the inner bullseye, they’ll score 50 points. And, when the dart lands in the outer bullseye, they’ll score 25 points.
How to Win Playing Darts
We’ve looked at the dartboard scoring; let’s now get into how to win darts.
Now, the main aim of darts is for the players to lower their scores from 501 or 301, to exactly zero (most darts matches work with the 501 scoring system). So, each player takes a turn to throw three darts at the dartboard.
When a player scores some points during the game, those points are deducted from 501, and the first player to reach zero wins. But there’s a catch; one has to finish by hitting a double. So, for example, if a player has 10 points left to reach zero, they must land on section 5 in the outer ring to score 10 points.
Legs and Sets of Darts Matches
Usually, there are two types of darts matches: legs and sets matches.
Legs matches:
This is essentially a single game of darts, or rather, a single round of darts.
Sets matches:
With darts set matches, the aim is to be first to win a particular number of legs. The number of legs required to win this match varies from one tournament to another.
Major Darts Events at UK Betting Sites
Here are some of the major darts tournaments you’ll find at UK betting sites.
PDC World Championship
This is considered one of the biggest darts events. Organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), this event is held annually from December to January, and it takes place here in the UK, in London at the Alexandra Palace.
Players in this tournament play set matches, with the winner having won 5 legs. However, if a set match ends with a 5-5 score, then the participating players will play a leg match known as the “sudden-death leg match.”
The Betfred World Matchplay
The Betfred World Matchplay is another tournament organized by the PDC. It takes place every year from the 13th-21st July, at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, UK. Participants in this tournament also play set matches, with the winner having won two legs and an additional 6 legs before a tie-break.
Premier League Darts
The BetMGM Premier League Darts is also a PDC tournament that is held annually, every Thursday between February and May. The Premier League Darts takes place across the UK, Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
As expected, this tournament also consists of set matches, with the winner having won 11 legs.
Grand Slam of Darts
This is another PDC tournament that’s held annually in November. Like the other darts tournaments, players of the Grand Slam of Darts also play set matches, with the winner having 19 legs.
World Grand Prix
There’s also the World Grand Prix tournament that is held annually in October in Leicester, England. As is the norm with the other darts tournaments, players participating in this tournament play set matches, with the winner having won 5 legs.
A unique aspect of the World Grand Prix tournament is that players must kick off and finish a leg match by scoring a double or a bullseye.
Tips on How to Bet on Darts
Here are some useful tips for gambling on darts events at UK betting sites. But first, let’s take a look at some pros and cons of betting on darts at UK sportsbooks.
Pros and Cons of Darts Betting at UK Sportsbooks
Pros and Cons
A wide range of tournaments to bet on
Most UK betting sites offer bonuses
An extensive range of bet markets
There’s a likelihood of betting on fraudulent sites
🧐 First understand how the game works
This is probably the most important tip not just for betting on darts, but it’s also a great tip on
how to bet on tennis
and other sports games.
Before placing a bet on any darts event, first understand how this game is played. This will help you make a more informed decision when it comes to the type of bet you’ll place in various darts tournaments. Luckily, we’ve provided a detailed guide on how darts are played.
✅ Ensure the sportsbook you’re betting at is legit
This is another critical tip not just for betting on darts, but it’s also an important tip on
how to bet on cricket.
Always make sure the sportsbook you’re gambling on is legitimate. And the number one way to ensure you’re betting on a legit sports betting site, is to check if they’re licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. This license is proof that the website has met the required standards, making it a top-tier and safe site to bet on.
Usually, a licensed UK sportsbook will have its licensing details clearly displayed on its website. If you want to be absolutely sure you are choosing a licensed and trusted betting site, pick one from our banners since we have tested and recommended them 100%.
🏆 Join a sportsbook with a wide range of darts tournaments
We also recommend that you bet at a sports betting site with a wide range of darts tournaments, from the PDC World Championship to the Premier League Darts, the Betfred World Matchplay, just to name a few. This gives you an extensive selection of matches to wager on.
🎯 Bet on a sports betting site with a wide range of darts betting markets
Aside from choosing a sports betting website with a wide variety of darts tournaments, it’s also best to join a sportsbook with an extensive range of darts betting markets. This provides you with a good number of bet types to choose from. Speaking of the types of bets. Let’s take a look at some of them in darts events, shall we?
Match winner:
This is a wager predicting who will win a particular dart match. This bet is similar to the
moneyline bet, if you think about it
Nine-darts finish:
This is a bet that predicts which player will reduce the 501 score to zero, with just nine darts
Tournament winner:
This wager predicts which player will win a particular darts tournament
Most 180s:
With this bet, you’ll be predicting which player will have the most 180 scores in a particular darts match. 180 is the highest score one can achieve with just three darts
Correct score:
This wager predicts the final score in either a leg or set match. Although this bet is available in set matches
🎁 Choose a sportsbook with a great range of bonuses
This is another great tip, not just for betting on darts, but also a critical tip on
how to bet on snooker.
Choosing a sports betting site with a good selection of bonus offers enables you to claim rewards like free bets that you can use when betting on darts and other sports games. Here’s a summary of the common bonuses you’ll find at UK sportsbooks.
Deposit sign-up offer
This bonus is awarded to bettors when they join a particular UK sportsbook. Now, most sports betting sites offer deposit sign-up offers, which are a percentage of your deposit back as a bonus. Some sportsbooks also add other rewards, like free bets, as part of this bonus
On-site promotions
Bettors can participate in these promos and receive rewards like boosts on bet winnings
VIP bonuses
These are exclusive rewards that are offered to members of a particular UK sportsbook’s VIP loyalty program. They include cashbacks, special monthly bonuses, reload bonuses, and more
How to Bet on Darts: Final Thoughts
We’ve come to the end of this guide on betting on darts. We hope that this guide has explained all you need to know when it comes to gambling on darts.
One more tip for betting on darts: Choose a reliable sportsbook. Make sure to check the reviews and the available markets. To make things easier, we’ve put together a list of top-rated UK betting sites, all tested by our experts. You can start by picking one from our banners and exploring its welcome offer.
How to Bet on Darts- FAQs
There honestly isn’t a particular strategy that will 100% enable you to win your darts bet, however, there are great tips, like understanding how the game works, that’ll increase your chances of winning
As we explained in this guide, 180 is the highest score a player can get with just three darts. A popular bet in regards to this is the “most 180s” bet.
Again, there are many bet options for darts. They include match winner, correct score, tournament winners, and most 180s, just to mention a few.
