Left-handed players are pretty rare in darts. But does that make them special? Or better yet, does that make them undervalued in terms of betting?
Several sports have left-hand advantages. Think lefty pitchers or batters in baseball, throwing off their opponents’ strategy. But darts? It’s just you, the board, and a lot of pressure.
So I went down the rabbit hole. Turns out, there’s more to this lefty thing than I expected—and if you’re a bettor, it might be worth paying attention.
Are Lefties The Secret Dart Betting Niche to Pay the Bills?
Darts isn’t like baseball, tennis, or boxing. You’re not dealing with topspin serves or southpaw jabs from unfamiliar angles. It’s a target sport. Everyone throws at the same dartboard. Nobody’s reacting to your style or movements.
So the idea that being left-handed is some secret huge advantage? Not quite. But there is something interesting here.
Only about 4% of pro darts players are left-handed. Compare that to about 10% of the general population, and you start wondering—are lefties actually getting shortchanged somehow? If books feel the same way, is that where the betting angle lies?
James Wade: The Underrated King of the Lefties (According to Odds at Least)
You can’t talk about left-handers in darts without bringing up James “The Machine” Wade. The man’s got 11 major PDC titles and 38 total trophies. But ask the average fan who the top three darts players are, and Wade often gets left out of the conversation. Why?
Maybe it’s his quiet, steady style. Maybe it’s the lack of a World Championship title. Or maybe—just maybe—it’s the lefty thing. He doesn’t throw with that flashy, aggressive flair that gets the TikTok edits. But he wins. A lot.
And here’s the kicker: ahead of the 2024 Worlds, Wade was a long shot 50/1 to win it on a +5000 line. That’s wild considering his track record. (He made the quarters by the way, and outperformed a bunch of the guys who had shorter odds.)
Why Left-Handed Dart Players Sometimes Slip Through the Cracks at Sportsbooks
Bookmakers aren’t dumb. They base odds on data, form, and where people are putting their money. But the public? The public loves hype, flash, and big names.
If you’re crafting your darts betting strategy, this is where the edge might come in. A consistent, quiet southpaw like Wade might get longer odds than his right-handed counterpart with more flair but less grit.
And in knockout events, where pressure mounts and nerves crack… I’d rather back “The Machine” than someone who can throw 180s but crumbles on doubles.
The Mental Side and Match Rhythm
Some left-handers play at a slower, more deliberate pace. Wade is the poster child for this, and rhythm in darts is huge. A fiery, quick-throwing player can get thrown off if their opponent slows the pace. It’s not sabotage—it’s just style mismatch.
In a sport of millimeters and milliseconds, messing with rhythm can tilt a match. You’re not betting on handedness, really—you’re betting on temperament clash. And if one player cracks? That’s your payout.
Let’s Talk About the Dartboard
Now, I’m not saying the dartboard is out to get left-handers. But there are some weird little quirks that can make things trickier for them. Are the books setting odds with this stuff in mind?
For example, the layout of high-value numbers like 20, 19, and 18 seems to line up a bit better for right-handed angles. It’s subtle—like, “this-miss-goes-into-1-not-5” subtle—but over the course of a match, tiny misses matter.
Then there’s finishing sequences. Right-handers love finishing on double-16 because if you miss, you can step down to double-8, then double-4… all on the same side of the board. Smooth, easy, rhythm-friendly.
Lefties? They often finish on double-10. Fine, but miss that and now you’re aiming across the board at double-5. Awkward. Kind of like trying to dance to your own echo.
Past Upsets From Southpaws That Made Bookies Cry
These aren’t daily events, sure. But they happen often enough to raise eyebrows—and maybe open wallets.
- Let’s rewind to 2011. Mark Webster, a Welsh lefty, knocked out Phil Taylor—yes, that Phil Taylor—in the World Championship quarter-finals. The odds? Around 10/1. You’d have made bank if you saw that one coming.
- Then there was Darin “Big Daddy” Young, an American lefty who beat van Barneveld in Barney’s farewell match in 2019. Another upset. Another moment where a little-known lefty came out of nowhere and delivered the goods.
Professional Left Hand Dart Players to Watch For
If you’re looking for loose odds on other lefties these are the top names to watch for:
- James Wade
- Stephen Bunting
- Mickey Mansell
- Mark Webster
So… Should You Always Bet the Lefty?
Nah. That’s not the takeaway here. Blindly betting on a player just because they throw with their left hand is a great way to lose your beer money.
What you should do is look deeper. Does this lefty have good form? Have they beaten top players recently? Are they mentally tough? Is their opponent hot-headed or rhythm-sensitive?
And—this is key—are the odds offering value? It’s about spotting when the market’s sleeping on someone, and sneaking in while everyone else is chasing big names and highlight reels.
Final Thoughts
Left-handers in darts aren’t magical unicorns. They’re not cursed either. They’re just rare enough—and quietly good enough—that sometimes, just sometimes, they slip through the cracks of public perception and end up as betting gold.
So next time you’re placing bets for a big darts night, take a second look at that lefty in the lineup. He might not be flashy. But if he’s steady, composed, and the odds are generous… you might’ve just found your hidden edge.
And hey—have you ever cashed in big on a darts underdog? Left-handed or not, I wanna hear your story. Drop a comment or shoot me a message.
About the Author
Alonzo Solano
The Boss of Betting, Editor-in-Chief & Sports Analyst
Alonzo Solano is an author, sports analyst, Editor in Chief of BossofBetting.com, and host of the 'NFL Latino TV' podcast.
Outside of family, his biggest passion is NFL football. Perhaps he is best known for his podcast 'NFL Latino TV,' where he shares his analysis and perspectives on the game with a worldwide Spanish-speaking audience.
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