Darts Betting Guide
Betting on darts is slowly becoming more popular as the sport takes off and fans get more ravenous. It’s another way to have fun while you watch the game and it gives you something extra to cheer for.
You don’t need to be a darts expert or a betting pro to start. Even if it’s your first time betting on any sport, you’ll be fine. I’ll break down the basics with no fancy jargon and give you a few pointers, so you feel comfortable placing your first bet.
This guide covers everything from how darts betting works to understanding odds and different types of bets. You’ll also find practical tips to bet smarter and avoid common mistakes.
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The Current Darts Format
Darts is typically played as a game of “501.” This means each player starts with a score of 501 and takes turns throwing up to three darts, aiming to reduce their score to exactly zero.
Legs and Sets: A match is usually divided into legs, and sometimes sets. A leg is one game of 501. A group of legs can form a set. For instance, a match might be the best of 5 sets, with each set the best of 7 legs. In that case, a player needs to win 4 legs (out of a maximum 7) to take a set, and 3 sets to win the match.
Major Events to Bet On
If you’re considering betting on darts, knowing how the league works is helpful. One great thing about darts is that there are high-profile events throughout the year. The professional circuit (primarily run by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)) has a packed calendar of tournaments.
Here are some of the biggest darts competitions that attract a lot of betting interest:
| Tournament | Timing & Format | Key Features | Betting Appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDC World Darts Championship | December–January Knockout format, 96 players | Flagship event held at Alexandra Palace, festive atmosphere, massive crowds, global stars | Most prestigious, long matches, consistent form matters, many betting markets available |
| Premier League Darts | February–May Weekly league format with playoffs | Invitational, top 10 players, played in arenas across UK & Europe | Frequent marquee matchups, weekly betting opportunities, great for long-term betting strategies |
| UK Open | March (Spring) Random draw knockout tournament | “FA Cup of Darts”, open to pros and amateurs, fast-paced and unpredictable | “FA Cup of Darts”, open to pros and amateurs, fast-paced and unpredictable |
| World Matchplay | July Legs format, longer matches | Held at Winter Gardens in Blackpool, high prestige, no sets | Longer matches favor favorites, good for backing in-form or high-ranking players |
| World Grand Prix | October Double-in, double-out legs format | Unique rules requiring double start and finish, held in Dublin | High upset potential, betting edge in identifying strong double-in players |
| Grand Slam of Darts | November Group stage + knockout format | Mix of top players and qualifiers, group stage surprises common | Value in betting on lesser-known players early, potential for mismatches and big odds in group stage |
Why This Matters for Betting
Knowing the darts format matters because it directly affects your bets. Shorter matches, like the Premier League’s best-of-11 legs, mean underdogs have a better shot at an upset. In longer sets at the World Championship, favorites usually have the edge.
The league format can also influence player motivation. For instance, a player who’s already qualified for playoffs might ease up late in the Premier League season. On the other hand, in a knockout format like the World Championship, everyone gives their best every match.
Understanding these small details helps you make smarter bets. It’s not complicated, but knowing how the competition works puts you ahead.
Ways to Bet on Darts Online – Types of Bets You Can Place
Betting on darts online can be a fun way to feel more involved in each match. It’s important to know the different bet types so you understand your options. This helps you choose bets that make sense instead of just guessing.
Match Winner
This is the simplest darts bet. You just pick which player will win the match. It’s like the moneyline bet in other sports – just choose the winner, and if that player wins, you win your bet. There are only two possible outcomes, so it’s straightforward for beginners.
Correct Score
Here you predict the exact final score of the match. In darts, this usually means guessing how many legs each player will win. For example, you might bet on a player to beat their opponent by 5–3 in legs. To win this bet, the final result must be exactly what you predicted, which makes it harder than a simple match winner bet.
Total Legs (Over/Under)
This is a bet on how long the match will go. The sportsbook sets a number for the total legs in the match, and you bet on over or under that number. For instance, if the line is 9.5 legs, you choose whether you think the match will have more (over) or fewer (under) than that many legs. It doesn’t matter who wins the match—what matters is the total number of legs played by the end.
180s (Maximum Score Throws)
A “180” is the highest score a player can get with three darts (scoring triple 20 three times). Many darts fans love to cheer for 180s, and you can bet on them too. One common wager is betting on the total number of 180s in a match (often an over/under bet).
For example, you might bet on over 4.5 total 180s in the match if you expect a lot of high scoring. Some sportsbooks also offer bets on which player will hit the most 180s.
Handicap Betting
Handicap betting in darts is similar to point spread betting in other sports. The idea is to even out a matchup where one player is heavily favored. The sportsbook gives one player a “handicap” of a certain number of legs or sets.
For example, Michael Smith might be -2.5 legs and Peter Wright +2.5. Betting on Smith means he must win by 3+ legs; betting on Wright wins if he loses by 2 or fewer. Handicap bets make uneven matches more exciting and offer better odds.
Outright Winner
An outright bet is a wager on who will win an entire tournament or competition. Instead of betting on individual games, you’re picking the overall champion. For example, you could bet on a player to win the World Darts Championship before the event starts (or during the event, with updated odds).
In-Play (Live) Bets
In-play bets are wagers made during the match, with odds shifting in real time. You can bet on things like the next leg winner or a 180 on the next throw. Live betting lets you react to momentum swings, but quick decisions are key as the action moves fast.
Understanding the Odds factors
Odds in darts betting aren’t just random numbers, they tell you what the sportsbook expects. By knowing what goes into darts odds, you can find smart bets that other people might miss. Here’s how you can use darts-specific odds to your advantage.
- Short Format Means Tighter Odds – Short darts matches (like best-of-11 legs) often have tighter odds because they’re harder to predict. One lucky leg can change the whole match. Sportsbooks understand this and usually won’t offer very high odds on favorites, even if they’re ranked much higher.
Tip: In short matches, consider betting small amounts on underdogs. The odds might offer better value than favorites because surprises happen more often in these shorter games. - Watch Odds Shift on 180s – Odds for the total number of 180s thrown can shift quickly depending on who’s playing. Big scorers will have lower odds for hitting multiple 180s, while consistent, steady players get longer odds. If a player known for hitting lots of 180s starts slowly, odds will shift quickly.
Tip: Watch in-play odds for 180s. If a known big-scorer starts slow, odds will jump, giving you better value once they heat up. - Outright Bets Favor Big Names Early – Odds for outright tournament winners typically favor the big names heavily at first. The sportsbook expects bettors to pick popular, well-known players, so early odds aren’t usually generous. But once the tournament starts and a favorite struggles early, those odds can get much better.
Tip: Wait to bet on favorites after a shaky early match. You’ll often find better odds than pre-tournament lines. - In-Play Odds React Fast to Breaks of Throw – In darts, holding your throw (winning when you throw first) is expected. When someone breaks a throw (wins a leg when throwing second), in-play odds shift dramatically. Sportsbooks know how critical breaks are in determining match outcomes.
Tip: Pay attention to players who consistently pressure their opponent’s throw. When they break, odds move quickly in their favor, so be ready to bet immediately.
Proven Strategies for Darts Betting
Betting on darts can be straightforward, but consistently winning takes strategy. Pro bettors don’t guess—they rely on proven, actionable strategies that directly apply to the game. Here are eight darts-specific betting strategies you can use to improve your edge right away:
Leg Differential Tracking
Pro bettors often track leg differentials—how many legs players win or lose by—not just wins and losses. Players who frequently win matches by wide margins are more reliable, especially in handicap betting.
Example
If Gerwyn Price has an average leg differential of +3.2 and faces a weaker opponent, a handicap bet of -2.5 legs makes sense.
Checkout Percentage Analysis
Checkout percentage shows how effectively a player finishes legs (doubles out). Players who regularly finish above 40% are more dependable in tight situations. Bet on close matchups based on higher checkout percentages.
Example
If two evenly matched players meet, back the one averaging a 43% checkout rate over one averaging 36%.
180s Frequency by Venue
Certain venues or tournaments have conditions that favor high-scoring players (lighting, board quality, crowd atmosphere). Track players’ 180 frequency by location to identify trends. Bet the “over” on 180 totals at proven high-scoring venues.
Example
If Gary Anderson averages 5.5 total 180s per match at Ally Pally but only 2.8 elsewhere, bet the over when he plays there.
Performance vs. Specific Opponents
Darts can be psychological. Some players consistently struggle or excel against specific opponents. Keep track of head-to-head matchups beyond simple win-loss records. Place match-winner bets based on head-to-head dominance.
Example
If Michael van Gerwen is 8-1 historically against Rob Cross, confidently bet Michael straight up or with a handicap.
First-9 Darts Average
This stat measures scoring power early in legs, highlighting consistent throwers who pressure opponents early. Players with strong first-9 averages often secure early breaks. Use first-9 darts averages for bets on early leg winners.
Example
If Jonny Clayton averages over 105 for their first-9 darts and Nathan Aspinall averages around 95, bet Jonny Clayton to lead after 4 legs.
Live Betting After Missed Doubles
Missed doubles significantly swing match momentum. Skilled bettors capitalize live by betting immediately after players miss crucial doubles. Place live bets against players struggling on doubles mid-match.
Example
If Dimitri Van den Bergh misses multiple doubles early, quickly bet against him in upcoming legs.
Set Play Specialist Tracking
Some players excel specifically in longer “set play” formats like the World Championship rather than “leg play” formats. Track player performance by format type. Bet confidently on players known as set-play specialists.
Example
If Dave Chisnall struggles in short formats but regularly advances far in set tournaments, bet him outright in events with set formats.
Throw Order Advantage
In darts, throwing first provides an advantage. Track player performance closely in matches where they throw first, especially in deciding legs or sets. Place in-play bets based on throw order, especially in tight matchups.
Example
If Joe Cullen wins 65% of legs when throwing first and enters a deciding leg with throw advantage, immediately bet live on Joe Cullen.
How to Handicap Darts Games and Make Better Bets
Handicapping in darts betting means evaluating players and matches to find betting opportunities that others might miss. By analyzing specific factors, you can make more informed bets. Here’s how to approach handicapping in darts:
Betting Tip #1Analyze Player Form
Recent performance is crucial. Players on a winning streak often have higher confidence and consistency. Look at their results over the past few tournaments to gauge current form.
Example: In the 2025 Premier League Darts Night 7 in Cardiff, Gerwyn Price showcased strong form by winning the event, which was his third win of the season. This indicated his high confidence and consistency during that period.
Betting Tip #2Head-to-Head Records
Some players consistently perform well against certain opponents. Reviewing head-to-head records can reveal patterns that might influence match outcomes.
Example: During the 2025 Premier League Darts, Chris Dobey faced Stephen Bunting in the opening match of Week 7. Bookmakers favored Bunting despite neither player having won yet that season, suggesting that historical performance and head-to-head records influenced the odds.
Betting Tip #3Tournament Format Consideration
Different tournaments have varying formats (sets vs. legs). Some players excel in specific formats, affecting their performance.
Example: The World Grand Prix uses a double-in, double-out format, which can favor players adept at starting and finishing legs with doubles. Historically, players like James Wade have performed well in this format due to their proficiency with doubles.
Betting Tip #4Venue and Environmental Factors
Playing conditions, such as stage setup and crowd support, can impact player performance.
Example: In the 2025 Premier League Night 8 in Newcastle, local player Chris Dobey was expected to benefit from strong home crowd support, potentially boosting his performance against Luke Humphries.
Betting Tip #5Statistical Analysis
Utilize detailed statistics like three-dart averages, checkout percentages, and 180s hit. These metrics provide insights into a player’s scoring ability and finishing efficiency.
Example: Darts Orakel offers comprehensive player statistics, including three-dart averages. For instance, as of March 2025, Luke Littler had a three-dart average of 100.42, indicating high scoring potential.
Best Sites to Bet on Darts
Finding the right place to bet on darts is important. You can choose regulated sportsbooks in states that allow online betting, or offshore sites if your state doesn’t offer legal betting yet. Regulated sportsbooks usually offer clear rules, reliable payouts, and strong security measures. Offshore betting sites can also be safe options, especially if they’ve built up trust over many years.
Safety matters most. Stick with sportsbooks that have positive track records, clear terms, and transparent payout processes. Good betting sites offer fair odds on darts matches, plenty of betting markets, and responsive customer support. Whether you go regulated or offshore, always check reviews, look at player feedback, and choose the sites that have earned their trust from real bettors.
Hit the Bullseye with Smart Darts Betting
Darts betting is simple if you focus on the basics. Watch for player form, match formats, and odds shifts to bet smart and enjoy matches. You don’t need to be an expert—just pay attention to the details.
Always bet with a plan. Use strategies like tracking checkout percentages and handicapping based on stats. Pick trusted betting sites, whether regulated or offshore, and prioritize safety for a stress-free experience.
Remember, learning how to bet on darts should always be enjoyable. So keep it simple, use what you’ve learned, and start placing smarter bets. Whether you’re new or a seasoned pro, now you’re ready to hit the bullseye every time you bet.
Still exploring the best sport to bet on? Check out our full collection of sports betting guides for expert tips across a wide range of games—from mainstream leagues to niche events.
