Darts betting has its own specifics that can decide success or failure. From the current form of the players to the influence of emotions – every little thing can play a role. Learn the most common mistakes and gain a new perspective on this fun discipline.
Darts betting
Find out all the important information if you are planning to bet on darts
Darts are not just about hitting the bullseye – it’s a sport where skills, strategy, and nerves of steel play a key role in the most tense moments. What goes through the players’ minds when every throw can decide the victory? How can you recognize who is currently in the best form, and what all should you consider before placing a bet? In our article, we will cover all key aspects of darts – from the rules to player analysis and the common mistakes you should avoid. Keep reading and discover all the important information that can help you hit a winning ticket!
Best bookmakers
Darts – From pubs to stages under the spotlight
Darts. Just a few years ago, it was mainly a pub pastime. A group of friends, a few beers on the table, and everyone trying to hit the bullseye. Simple, low-key. But today? Today, this sport shines under the spotlight and on big stages, with thousands of fans chanting the names of their favorites. Darts are no longer just about precision. It’s a show. Players like Michael van Gerwen or Peter Wright, who dyes his hair in bright colors and looks more like a rock star on stage, entertain fans not only with their play but also with their performances. And the fans? They take it seriously. Chants, banners, and an atmosphere that resembles a football stadium. Every throw is watched with tension, every hit on the bullseye accompanied by a roar of excitement. And then there is betting. Why just watch when you can be part of the action? One well-placed bet can add even more excitement. Will the player hit the double to win? Will the underdog prevail? Or will it be a drama decided by the very last dart? Every moment has its story, and every story might be the one that grips you and won’t let go.
Best bookmakers for betting on darts
 | 22BETBonus: €120 welcome bonus | |
 | SportunaBonus: €100 welcome bonus | |
 | NineCasinoBonus: €450 welcome package | |
 | RabonaBonus: €100 welcome bonus | |
 | 20BETBonus: €100 welcome bonus |
How darts matches work: From 501 to victory
And betting on darts is gaining more and more popularity around the world. But don’t be fooled – it’s not as simple as it may seem. If you want to hit the right odds, you first need to understand how darts actually work at a professional level. What once used to be a friendly pastime is now a top-level sport with clearly defined rules, where millions are at stake and tension fills the air from the first throw to the final dart.
Structure of professional tournaments
Professional tournaments have a fixed structure. One option is the legs format, where the player must be the first to win a certain number of legs – for example, three or five. The other variant is sets format, where the path to victory is longer. Players must first win several legs to gain one set and then collect the required number of sets to triumph. And what about situations where the rules require the winner to have at least a two-leg or two-set advantage? It’s in these moments that darts reveal their true strength – patience, strategy, and the ability to withstand pressure.
From the start – players and their first throw
Each match starts simply: two players, each with three darts in hand, aiming to reduce their score from 501 to zero faster than their opponent. To start, players throw a “high dart” – whoever scores higher gets the advantage of throwing first. And that advantage often decides the match. The first throw sets the tone for the entire game. Right from the beginning, players aim for the highest scores. The biggest target is the treble 20 (60 points) – key to quickly reducing the score. If a player hits three treble 20s in a row, they score 180 points. Fans go absolutely wild. The commentator shouts: “One hundred and eighty!” and the arena erupts in a roar.
Mid-game – tactics and concentration
As the match progresses, strategy becomes the main focus. It’s not just about scoring points but about setting up the best finishing position. Players try to reach a score that allows them to finish with a double – hitting one of the smaller outer ring areas that double the points. The double is crucial because without it, you can’t win the leg. And if you miss? Your opponent gets a chance – and that can decide the whole match. With each round, the pressure builds. Every throw counts, and every mistake can be fatal. It’s in these moments that nerves of steel are revealed. Some players have rituals that help them stay focused – a specific way of holding the dart, or repetitive hand movements before a throw. At this level, even the smallest details can make a difference.
Finale – everything rides on the last dart
Now comes the decisive moment. The score is low, the tension in the arena is palpable, and the player stands before their final throw. Will they hit it or not? “Double 20?” a fan next to you whispers, clenching their fists and barely breathing. The dart flies, the air grows heavy, and everyone holds their breath. Silence stretches into what feels like eternity – and then comes the explosion of emotions. Either deafening cheers or a collective sigh. If the player hits, the match is theirs. If they miss, the drama continues and the opponent’s hopes stay alive. And that’s why darts are so captivating – it’s not just about numbers but about those moments where a single throw decides everything.
Darts betting markets: Where can you score?
Once you understand the rules and how tournaments generally work, you can start looking for events and odds posted for the matches. Don’t expect as broad an offer as in football (football betting) or tennis (tennis betting) – the market is a bit smaller here, but it’s very clear and interesting enough to grab your attention and keep it. From simple bets on the winner to specific moments like a nine-dart finish – both beginners and seasoned bettors will find something for themselves here. Let’s look at the most common betting markets available:
- Money line: This market is a classic: you simply pick the player you think will win the match. It’s a great option for those starting with darts betting and wanting a clear goal. For example, you bet that Michael van Gerwen will beat his opponent – if he wins, your bet is successful.
- Leg/Set handicap: Handicap betting adds drama to the match. The player you bet on has a certain number of legs or sets “added” or “subtracted” from their final score. For instance: if you believe Peter Wright will win with a handicap of -2.5 legs, he must win by at least three legs. A victory of 10-7 is successful, but 9-8 means the bet fails.
- Leg/Set over/under: Here you bet on the total number of legs or sets in the match. The bookmaker sets a line, for example, 4.5 legs, and you guess whether the actual number will be higher (Over) or lower (Under). If you bet Over 4.5 legs and the player wins five or more, your bet wins.
- Outright betting: If you’re confident about your favorite, you can bet on the winner of the entire tournament or competition. This is called “outright betting” and offers great long-term excitement throughout the event.
- Live betting: Live betting is an increasingly popular option, letting you react to how the match unfolds. You can bet on who will win the currently played leg or set.
- Correct score: Betting on the exact score is one of the biggest challenges because correctly guessing the final result requires both knowledge and courage. However, this market often offers very attractive odds that can be worth it.
Special bets:
- Number of 180s: How many times will players hit three darts into treble 20 for a maximum score during the match?
- Nine-dart finish: Bet that one of the players will manage to reduce the score from 501 to zero using just nine darts.
- Most 180s in a match: Hitting three darts into treble 20 is every dart player’s dream, and you can bet on which player will hit more 180s during the match.
- Highest checkout in a match: This bet allows you to predict which player will achieve the highest checkout score when finishing a leg.
How to analyze players: Who has the steady hand and nerves of steel?
For anyone interested in betting on darts – whether you’re an experienced bettor or a complete beginner – it’s crucial to properly assess the chances of individual players. It’s not enough to just look at the odds offered by the bookmaker; you also need to understand whether those odds are fair or perhaps undervalued. Darts isn’t just about who scores more points. Behind every throw lies strategy, pressure, and sometimes a bit of luck.
PDC Order of Merit
One of the easiest ways to find out who the favorites are is by looking at the PDC Order of Merit ranking. This list ranks players according to prize money earned at tournaments over the past two years. Naturally, players like Michael van Gerwen or Gerwyn Price often top the rankings and are considered tournament favorites. However, it’s not just about their skills – their higher ranking often gives them easier opponents in the early rounds. But it’s important to realize that this ranking may not reflect a player’s current form. The two-year timeframe can distort the results – a player who dominated last year might now be out of form. Conversely, someone who is excelling at smaller tournaments right now might still be undervalued. Differences in prize money between tournaments can also affect the rankings – for example, the winner of the PDC World Darts Championship earns £500,000, while the winner of the Premier League Darts “only” takes home £250,000, even though the quality of competition is often very similar.
Three-dart average
Another important indicator when analyzing players is their three-dart average. This is the average number of points a player scores with each set of three darts. Players with high averages, such as Peter Wright, often benefit from their consistency – building up a lead point by point. However, the average alone doesn’t tell the whole story. A player with a high three-dart average can still lose if they have poor finishing. Which brings us to the next key factor.
Finishing success rate
Finishing – hitting a “double” to end a leg – is a decisive moment in darts. A player might be the best at scoring high points, but if they can’t finish, they lose the match. The finishing success rate shows how well a player handles pressure in these critical moments. Players with a high finishing success rate can turn even the toughest situations to their advantage. Conversely, players with low finishing success rates may repeatedly fail and lose matches they had within reach.
Match length
Another factor worth considering is the length of the match. Short matches, for example, in a “best of 7” format, favor underdogs. A less experienced player only needs a few good legs, and the favorite doesn’t have much time to recover. On the other hand, longer matches, like “best of 17”, favor more experienced players. They have more time to eliminate mistakes and gradually turn the score around. Consider this: an underdog takes a 2-0 lead. In a short match, they have a great chance of winning, but in a longer format, the favorite will likely take control as the match progresses.
Practical tip: How to find value in odds
If you want to find an edge in betting, focus on players with a high three-dart average but weaker finishing. These players are often underrated because their results aren’t always consistent. However, when they’re on form, they can beat even the best. On the other hand, players with an average score but high finishing success are ideal choices for tight matches where nerves and experience matter most.
Common mistakes made by bettors
Betting on darts can be a lot of fun, but even the most experienced bettors sometimes slip up. It only takes a moment of inattention or too much faith in a favorite, and your whole bet can collapse. What’s the biggest trap? Blindly betting on big names. You see low odds and think, “This one’s a sure thing, no doubt about it.” But the opposite is often true – even legends like Michael van Gerwen sometimes lose form. Moreover, the more popular the player, the lower the odds. Bookmakers aren’t amateurs – they know exactly how to set odds to their advantage. Another common mistake? Ignoring current form. Rankings like the PDC Order of Merit show who’s been the best over the past two years, but what about players who are now crushing the competition at smaller tournaments? They are often underrated, and they might actually have a better chance of winning than the big names. Overlooking their recent results means missing out on truly valuable odds. And finally – emotions. They are perhaps the biggest enemy of successful betting. After a few wins, you might feel invincible, while a string of losses can tempt you to bet more to recover quickly. Neither approach is right. Want to succeed? Stay calm and stick to a sensible strategy. Don’t give in to pressure or euphoria. Bet calmly, thoughtfully, and always remember why you started – betting on darts should be about fun above all.
Conclusion: Darts betting – a game of precision and strategy
Betting on darts offers a unique combination of strategy, intuition, and excitement. Every throw can change the course of a match – and your ticket. Once you understand how players think, what their styles are, and how they handle pressure, betting transforms into a fascinating game with real depth. But remember – darts is primarily about the joy of the game. Don’t bet just to win, bet because you enjoy the process. Whether you take a risk on an underdog or stick to a favorite, always bet wisely. Darts is a sport of precision and patience – and the same principles apply to betting. Now there’s only one thing left – make your first throw and enjoy every moment!
Frequently asked questions
Don’t miss:
Michael Cermak
Discussion, comments and your experiences
Share your opinion, ask a question, or offer advice to others in the moderated discussion. Editors also participate, but they respond based on their current availability. If you expect a direct response, we recommend using email communication instead.