Darts Betting: Rules, Tournaments and Strategies
Professional darts are very popular in the UK and the US. Over the past ten years, the game has begun to expand horizons: it is developing in Western Europe, Asia, Africa. Along with the demand for the competition there also comes sports betting lines for wagering on them.
The Basic Rules of Darts
The basis of darts as a professional sport was born several centuries ago in Britain.
Initially, the game was held in pubs, and it was played only for entertainment. Over time, better players began to appear, and competition improved which was the main reason for the first professional tournaments.
It must be said that the main rules of the game of darts have not changed for many years.
The game is one-on-one. Each player is awarded a certain number of points before the start, most often 301 or 501. Players take turns approaching the target at a distance of about eight feet and throw three darts.
Depending on which part of the target the dart sticks to, the player removes the appropriate points from the ones issued at the start.
The goal of the game is to reset your score balance before the opponent does. An important rule: the balance should be zero, do not go into the negative. Otherwise, the player's last throws are not counted.
The darts target consists of 20 sectors, two doubles rings and triple points, an apple and a center apple. Curiously, the maximum number of points per approach the player gets not for three hits in the center of the apple, and for three hits in the ring of tripling points sector "20" (gets 180 points).
Thus, the minimum required number of darts to win 501 points is 9 pieces, or three approaches.
Note another important rule: during the last throw the player must get either in the bull's-eye or in the sector of doubling points.
Every time a player zeros his balance, he wins the leg. Usually the game is divided into sets, in each of which the winner must win from three to five legs (depending on the tournament). To win a match, you usually have to win 3 sets.
The Different Types of Darts Betting
With the growing popularity of darts betting, sportsbooks are trying to offer both the maximum line for this sport, and the widest painting.
Betting on the Outcome. The main type of bets: proposed to bet on the future winner of a match. In darts it is rare that the competitors are of the same level, so darts odds will almost always have a favorite/underdog.
Note that in darts there are draw results, but not all sportsbooks offer three outcomes in their lines.
If the sportsbook offers bets for only two outcomes in the match (the victory of one of the dartsmen), then the draw will be a refund. Carefully check the rules of betting at each sportsbook.
Betting on the Exact Score on Sets. The winner of a darts match must usually win three sets. Accordingly, there are not many options for betting on an accurate set score (six outcomes). Odds on this type of bet are offered to the bettor with quite high odds.
Head-on. Since the strength of rivals is usually unequal, sportsbooks often offer bets on outcomes of individual sets. This changes the odds and makes the game more interesting.
Total Number of Sets. The maximum number of sets in one game is usually five. Accordingly, bets on total sets are at 3.5 or 4.5.
Betting on Checkout. The term checkout in darts means the end of one player's approach. That is, the player analyzes whether he will be able to reset his balance of points with three darts. Sportsbooks offer several options for betting on checkout.
The most popular: which player will make the most checkout (will score more points in the last throw at zero) or just a total of maximum checkout.
Total approaches by 180 points. One of the most intriguing bets on darts. We have already calculated that for the approach the player can score a maximum of 180 points. Sportsbooks offer bets on how many of such approaches will occur per match. Totals range from 1.5 to 6.5.
More Darts Betting. The betting lines are constantly growing, and sportsbooks for major tournaments like the World Cup are ready to offer bets for all tastes.
Starting with the color of the target the last dart will hit, and ending with whether the player can finish the game with a minimum number of throws (nine).
Futures Bets on Darts. It is proposed before the start of a major tournament to bet on its future winner.
What's the Right Way to Bet on Darts?
Do not think that darts is entertainment, and the favorite should always defeat the underdog. It is the same professional sport as many others, and it requires certain skills that men bring to perfection. Darts betting requires no less careful approach than betting on other sports.
Tournament Features
Before you make a bet, carefully examine the rules of the tournament. There are a lot of different rules in darts, which, although they have a standardized form, may differ from place to place.
The main differences are the number of "lags" in the set (or no sets at all), the number of initial points for the player, the mandatory ways of zeroing points in the last approach. All this and more in the rules directly affects the outcome of bets.
Player features
Explore your opponents. Since darts is a one-on-one game, learning the features of each opponent can become the main topic of match analysis. As with any other single sport (tennis, archery, rowing), much depends on the form of the dartsman.
We should not forget about the psychological component: the nerves of a dartsman are his center. If a player is upset with something or simply does not concentrate properly, it will be difficult for him to win.
Learn the players' specifics. A deeper analysis of their statistics may give the correct hint at the rate. Does the player like to take risks? Are you ready to do a checkout for 170 points? How important is the face-to-face confrontation with the future opponent?
In reality, it can take up to several hours for a darts match to be analyzed.
Dart betting strategies
There are many strategies for betting on darts on the Internet. Some sites even promise a win-win strategy. Legalbet reminds that in betting on any sport, including professional darts, you have to think only with your head.
There are no win-win strategies for darts in nature, otherwise sportsbooks would never put this sport in their lines.
