How To Bet On Darts: Darts Betting Guide For Beginners

Darts, that game you’d play at the local pub, has now hit the big leagues, and guess what? You can be part of the action, too, not just with cheers but with smart bets that might fatten your wallet. It’s like stepping up to the oche yourself, every bit as thrilling and strategic.

With our help, you’ll learn how to place bets on darts, which darts tournaments to look for, and darts betting strategies for you to bet like a pro.

MrBetting is your guide to how to bet on darts, but you’ll also learn the best darts betting tips, best darts betting sites and become a real pro at darts betting.

How Do Darts Match Work?

Тwo players take turns throwing three darts at a dartboard. It’s not just about hitting the board; it’s about where you hit. The board is divided into 20 radial sections, each worth 1 to 20 points. Hit those thin outer and inner rings, and you’ve got yourself a nice bonus, doubling or tripling your points. And the cherry on top? The bullseye. Land there, and you could bag 25 or 50 points.

Now, most darts games use the 501 system. Both players start with 501 points and race to zero. But here’s the kicker: you’ve got to finish by hitting a double or that bullseye.

There are two main types of competitions: legs and sets. In a legs game, it’s like a sprint. Win a certain number of legs, and you’re the champ. The number of legs in darts changes depending on the tournament.

Sets are more like a marathon with sprints. You need to bag a bunch of legs to win a set, then win enough sets to take the match. It’s a game of endurance and precision.

Some tournaments have their own twists, like needing a two-leg lead to clinch the win. It keeps things spicy and the players on their toes.

So, next time you’re watching a game, remember it’s not just about throwing sharp objects. It’s about strategy, precision, and sometimes, holding your nerve under pressure when throwing 3 darts at the board.

How to Bet on Darts?

Betting on darts is an exhilarating activity to keep you on your toes for a while. You might think darts are not an exciting sport to bet such as betting on football or horse racing, but you’re in for a surprise. But how to start betting on darts?

If you’re ready to dive into the world of darts betting, start by finding a reputable online betting site and setting up an account, or log in if you already have one. Once you’re in, search for the ‘darts’ section, typically nestled within the array of sports you can bet on.

Now you are ready to lay down some bets. Many bettors begin with pre-tournament bet type, so you might want to consider it too, when starting to bet on a darts tournaments.

It’s also wise to consider the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) – it’s the premier league of darts, drawing the crème de la crème of players worldwide. The crown jewel of the season is the PDC World Championship, standing tall as the most prestigious event in the darts calendar.

Darts Betting Odds

Let’s get real about the odds. They might look like just numbers, but they’re stories waiting to unfold. Whether they’re in fractions (like 3/1) or decimals (like 4.00), they’re telling you what you could win. 

It’s essential to understand that the odds you encounter will reflect the specific darts market you select. Usually, underdogs carry bigger odds than the favourites, promising larger payouts if they pull off an upset. Betting sites also offer odds in several formats, including decimal, European, American, and Malaysian.

Choosing the right odds format and understanding how they work can significantly boost your darts betting experience, so it’s worth getting familiar with the options available at your chosen bookmaker.

Popular Darts Betting Markets

The number of darts markets is huge, with a range of betting options available. You’ve got your straight bets, picking the winner like you’d pick a favourite song. Then there’s handicap betting, giving the underdog a virtual head start. Over/under bets, highest checkouts, 180s — each one is a different beat, a new rhythm to explore.

Here are the most popular types of darts betting markets:

✔️ Handicap betting

Handicap betting, while popular, is a bit more challenging and is particularly so for newcomers to betting on darts. 

Bookmakers level the playing field in this betting style by either giving a disadvantage to the favoured player or an advantage to the underdog. 

For example, during a PDC World Darts Championship match, you might back your favourite darts player to win, even with a -1.5 handicap. This kind of wager not only spices up the betting but also offers more attractive odds. The player you bet on must not only win the match but also do so by enough legs for a successful bet.

✔️ Outright bets

Betting on the outright winner, often referred to as the Tournament Winner or Match Winner, is a popular way to bet.

To determine the outcome of the bet, you must bet on whether a player will triumph in either the entire tournament or a specific match. 

For instance, consider a matchup in the Ladbrokes UK Open where Gilding faces Gawlas. Here, you’d be betting on who you believe will emerge victorious from the two. If you place your bet on Gilding and he defeats Gawlas, your bet is successful.

✔️ Over/Under Markets

The Over/Under market is a highly popular betting option that zeroes in on the total number of legs in a darts match. 

Consider a match that is played best of seven. This sets the minimum number of legs to be played at four, while the maximum rises to seven. If you opt to bet Over 6.5, you’re speculating that the total number of legs played will hit 7. With darts Over/Under betting, the player you placed your bet on is not required to win the match for the bet to be successful. You’ll only clinch the bet if this specific scenario unfolds.

Known for offering enticing odds, the Over/Under market is a solid choice for those in pursuit of greater returns, but it also necessitates detailed research and a deep understanding of the dynamics of the game before you place your bets.

✔️ Correct Score

The Correct Score market is another well-liked option for darts betting fans. This betting style allows you to bet precisely and forecast the final score of the match. 

Imagine you’re betting on a Grand Slam of Darts clash between Michael Smith and Nathan Aspinall. You might predict that Smith will clinch the match with a score of 16-5. For you to win the bet, the match must conclude with that exact scoreline. 

The Correct Score market often carries higher odds due to the challenging nature of accurately predicting the final score of a darts match.

✔️ Other Markets

Another popular betting market for darts is the ‘Quarter Winner’ market. It’s like a mini-competition within the big game. With the Quarter winner, you’re backing your favourite in a race, but here, you’re rooting for them to outshine everyone in their corner of the tournament. It’s not about the whole event, just their slice of the pie.

A different darts market is betting on the number of 180’s. Imagine you’re at a party, and every time someone hits that perfect score, there’s a cheer. How many cheers will you hear by the end of the night? That’s the kind of vibe this bet brings.

And the nine-dart finish? It’s the unicorn of darts. Rare, majestic, and when it happens, it’s magic.

The tournament winner is another betting market, where you need to guess who will win a darts tournament instead of predicting the outcome of a single match.

✔️ Darts Spread Bet

Darts spread betting is another betting market involving betting on a ‘spread’ or prediction of outcomes to happen in a darts event.

Here is a guide on how to bet on spread bets:

Step 1: Pick a spread market on a match. The ‘spread’ on Total Legs may be 8.3-8.7.
Step 2: Determine whether the final outcome will be higher or lower than the spread.
Step 3: If higher (more than 8.7), you would buy. If lower (less than 8.3 minutes), you would sell.
Step 4: To calculate your profit, see the difference between your chosen buy or sell level and the actual result, then multiply it by your stake. The greater the difference, the more significant your profit or loss.

✔️ In-Play Betting

In-play betting is where the adrenaline really kicks in. If live betting is your passion, then the in-play score market offers an engaging way to take part. With this betting style, it’s possible to bet on the score after several sets or legs have been played. 

For example, an event featuring Ryan Searle against Nathan Rafferty. You might predict the match to conclude with Over 7 sets in total. So, if the match ends with a score of 5/3 sets, your bet is a winner. It’s important to note that this market is best suited for those who are adept at analyzing real-time statistics and have a solid understanding of darts dynamics.

Darts Betting Tips and Strategies

So, you want to step into this world? Darts by itself is an easy-to-understand game without any complex rules to worry about. It’s accessible for players who are just starting in, but also for those who are seasoned. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things you can do to maximize your game experience. Here are some tips and strategies to boost your betting journey next time you choose your events to bet on:

➡️ Understand the Game

Start by really getting the game, its rules, its heroes, and its heart. You can’t expect to win big if you’re not familiar with the sport itself. Arming yourself with extensive knowledge about darts will make your research and betting process much smoother. It’s also beneficial to get familiar with common darts terminology, such as ‘most 180s’ and ‘nine-dart finishes.’ 

If you can, spend time exploring various darts guides and resources to deepen your understanding of the game. This foundational knowledge will not only enhance your betting strategy but also increase your enjoyment of the sport.

➡️ Choose the Right Bookmaker

Then, find your bookmaker, someone who gets you, offering odds that speak to you and a place you trust. Test several bookies if you need to, but finding the perfect one is a must. You can always rely on MrBetting.co.uk to present you with the best betting sites on the market, so test the waters and find what works best for you.

The best sportsbooks offer not only great odds but also many bonuses that you can use to place a bet on darts. One of the most popular promos is the welcome bonus which comes in free cash or free bets. Also, the top sites on the betting market offer live darts betting. Live betting for darts involves betting on the sport during matches based on unfolding events.

➡️ Learn to Read the Odds

Before diving into darts betting, it’s crucial to scout for the most favourable odds. This involves comparing the odds offered by various bookmakers. Securing higher odds means the potential for a better payout across different markets. The key, of course, is to couple those great odds with a winning bet. So, take the time to research and make an informed choice for your wager. (Read: How to read sports betting odds)

➡️ Choose Short-Format Games

Games with shorter formats tend to be less predictable and have better odds. In long matches, the top dart players usually have much time to show their skills and eventually dominate. Yet, in short-format games, the likelihood of unexpected outcomes increases, which might offer more valuable betting opportunities.

When engaging in these shorter games, it’s wise to identify players known for their slow starts. Recognizing such patterns in players can be crucial for making informed bets in short-format games.

➡️ Embrace the Small Victories

Welcome the small victories and cherish every bit of profit you earn. Gambling comes with uncertainty, and it’s often unpredictable when your next successful bet will come through or if a substantial win is on the horizon. 

So, whenever you secure a win, no matter the size, take a moment to celebrate that achievement. Appreciating these smaller wins not only improves the enjoyment of betting but also helps maintain a positive perspective in the unpredictable world of gambling.

Biggest Darts Tournaments to Bet

The big darts tournaments or competitions are like the grand stages of darts. The popular darts betting tournaments like the PDC World Darts Championship, the PDC Premier League darts, the World Matchplay, the Grand Slam of Darts aren’t just games; they’re epic narratives, and your bets are part of the story.

Here are the top 5 darts professional darts tournaments to consider for betting:

• Professional Darts Corporation (PDC)
• World Darts Federation (WDF)
• Euro Tour and Players Championships
• World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts
•  UK Open
• World Cup of Darts
• World Series of Darts

Final Words

Darts has grown massively over the last 20 years; coming from a local pub game to a world phenomenon. Betting on darts is like composing your own symphony. It’s about understanding the deep rhythms, getting swept up in the crescendos, and finding beauty in the quiet moments. As you navigate this world, remember it’s not just about winning; it’s about the thrill of the play, the passion, and the sheer joy of being part of the game. So go on, bet with wisdom, dive in with all your heart, and who knows? Your journey might just be as thrilling as a perfect nine-darter!