Darts Betting Guide: How to Bet on PDC and BDO Darts Events

Darts has grown from a pub game to a globally televised sport with a thriving betting market. The PDC circuit — featuring the World Championship, Premier League, and major TV tournaments — drives the vast majority of darts betting activity.

Key Darts Betting Markets

Match Winner

Pick the winner of the match. In the early rounds of the World Championship, heavy favourites can be priced at 1.05-1.10, offering minimal value. The quarter-finals onwards produce more competitive pricing.

Set and Leg Handicaps

Handicap betting transforms one-sided contests into competitive propositions. If Michael van Gerwen is -2.5 sets against a qualifier, he must win by at least 3 clear sets. A £10 bet on the underdog +2.5 at 1.85 returns £18.50 if the outsider wins one set or more.

Total 180s

The over/under 180s market is one of the most popular darts bets. Lines are set based on expected match length and both players' 180-per-leg ratios. A best-of-13 sets World Championship match typically has a 180s line of 12.5-15.5.

Highest Checkout

Bet on which player hits the higher checkout in the match. Players with aggressive finishing styles — who regularly attempt bull finishes — tend to dominate this market.

Analysing Darts Matches

Three-dart average — The primary performance metric. A player averaging 100+ is among the world's best; below 90 suggests a qualifying-round standard
Checkout percentage — Anything above 40% is strong at PDC level. The gap between a 35% and 45% finisher is enormous over a long match
Recent form vs ranking — Darts form can fluctuate dramatically. A world number 5 on a poor run of form may be more vulnerable than rankings suggest
Format familiarity — Some players perform better in short formats (best of 11 legs) than long ones (best of 13 sets) due to concentration and stamina differences

Tournament Outright Betting

The PDC World Championship (December-January) and Premier League (February-May) are the two biggest outright markets. Each-way betting at 1/4 odds for a top-4 finish in the Premier League can offer solid value. In the World Championship, look for in-form players in favourable draws rather than simply backing the top seed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main darts betting markets?+

The main markets are match winner, correct score in sets or legs, handicap betting (set or leg handicaps), total 180s (over/under), highest checkout, most 180s in the match, and tournament outrights. Live betting is also hugely popular during televised PDC events.

How does set and leg betting work in darts?+

PDC World Championship matches are played in sets, with each set comprising the best of 5 legs. You can bet on the exact set score (e.g., 7-5 in sets) or apply handicaps. In Premier League darts, matches are played in legs only, making leg betting the relevant market.

What is a checkout market in darts?+

A checkout is the score a player finishes a leg on — hitting a double to close out. Highest checkout markets let you bet on which player will hit the highest checkout in the match. Common high checkouts include 170 (treble 20, treble 20, bullseye), 167, and 164.

How important are 180s for darts betting?+

The 180s market is one of the most popular darts-specific bets. A 180 is three treble-20s in a single visit. The total 180s line correlates with match length — longer matches naturally produce more 180s. Top players like Luke Humphries average one 180 every 2-3 legs.

What statistics matter most for darts betting?+

Three-dart average is the most important stat — it measures scoring efficiency. Top PDC players average 95-100+. Checkout percentage measures finishing ability under pressure. A player with a high average but low checkout percentage will win fewer legs than the averages suggest.