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Back on track with a bang last night. We went 4-0, to take us to 16-12. It takes us to a profit of +7.52 units for the Grand Slam of Darts free tips.
A great night, capped with a deserved win for Martin Phillips, and a great showing by Magnus Caris in defeat to Paul Nicholson.
We’re now into the knockout stages of the tournament, with four matches, featuring two BDO players, which is always good to see at the Grand Slam of Darts.
The markets at Betfair’s are always great during the big darts tournaments. Betfair is traditionally the best value around and the ability to trade your position during a match is great. And add in the free bet promotions, you’re onto a winner.
Dean Winstanley versus Mark Walsh.
Good to see a strong performance from Dean Winstanley, as he was the breakout player in the BDO last year, getting to the final of the World Championships, capping a great year. He’s carried on his good form this year and he’s got a deserved place in the last 16 by topping a tough group without losing a game.
Mark Walsh is a bit of a shock name to come out of his group. He played well, though, and dserves his place, as well.
The thing with Walsh is that he’s been steady in his performances, and his defeat to Scott Waites, who put in a great performance, just sums up the flaws in his game that he’s just not got another gear.
I think Winstanley looks a good thing here, especially in the longer format. He’s been playing well and he’s got the gears to take apart Walsh.
Dean Winstanley to beat Mark Walsh: 4/5 @ Paddy Power.
Recommend: 2.5 units.
Ted Hankey versus Michael van Gerwen.
God, I love Ted Hankey. If he gets the invite to play in the Premier League, as Sky Sport would have you believe, I’ll be getting tickets to every venue. He’s brought, yet again, a great atmosphere to the game and he’s played good darts in the last two matches. If you get over the blip against Dean Winstanley, you can find good form, especially his win over Ian White, with an average of over 100.
Michael van Gerwen has been a revelation…well, in two matches. His only defeat, he was shocking. But it’s a trait of Michael van Gerwen that he blows hot and cold, and he’ll be hoping that he doesn’t blow cold tonight.
In a race to ten, you have to go for the experience of Hankey in this format. He’ll have the crowd riled up, and he’ll love it. While it might not be a classic, Hankey will slow Van Gerwen down, use some tactics that will rub Van Gerwen up the wrong way and hopefully take the win.
Ted Hankey to beat Michael van Gerwen: 4/5 @
Recommend: 2.5 units.
Gary Anderson versus James Wade.
Both men had a shock result going against them, Anderson more so, with his opening defeat to Nigel Heydon. James Wade’s defeat to Terry Jenkins was also a shock, but not to much.
Both men are capable of greatness on their day, but Anderson has shown more glimpses of great form compared to Wade. In fact, Wade was lucky to get in this round, simply because if he had lost to Justin Pipe, he would have been out. Pipe didn’t take his chances and Wade is through while Pipe is going home.
The bookies see this closer than I have it, as I think Anderson is geting stronger and stronger as the tournament goes on, and as long as his doubling doesn’t dsert him, his scoring will take him across the line.
Gary Anderson to beat James Wade: 10/11 @
Recommend: 2 units.
Terry Jenkins versus Wayne Jones.
The last match of the night and it could possibly be the most boring, too. Neither man excites me on the oche, they’re just always there, never really bringing fireworks, just grinding out wins here and there.
Jones has shown a bit of consistency in the tournament, while Terry Jenkins finally found the form when needed to beat James Wade.
As I can’t pick a winner here, I do like Terry Jenkins to score the most 180s. He’s more consistent with his maximum scoring, while Jones fires in a lot of 140s. The bookies have Jenkins a marginal favourite on this market, but I’d make him quite a bit shorter.
Terry Jenkins to score more 180s than Wayne Jones: 10/11 @ Paddy Power.
Recommend: 2 units.
And that’s it for the first lot of second round matches at the Grand Slam of Darts. It should be a great night, and I’m looking forward to seeing The Count once again. Hopefully he’s been asked to bring out the cape and the bats, as there’s no finer sight in darts.
Again, I’ll leave you with a link to my favourite bookmaker at the moment, 888.com .
