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Another month, another PDC tournament, and it’s the last one before the World Championships. At the Grand Slam of Darts, we ended up 24-18 with a profit of +12.17 units.
Let’s see if we can keep this hot streak going with our free darts betting tips and get some cash in before Christmas.
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
Scott Rand versus Jamie Caven:
A very underwhemling year for Jamie Caven, having established himself in the top 32 last year. He now needs to string a couple of wins together here to put himself in some kind of form for the World Championships. However, he’s facing one of the up-and-coming players in the PDC, Scott Rand. Rand’s had a solid year on the floor and might just have enough in his locker to see off the out-of-sorts Caven. While the result’s not a forgone conclusion, Caven just hasn’t shown enough this year to convince me he’s worth backing at odds-on against a player who has a bright future in the PDC.
Scott Rand to beat Jamie Caven: 6/5 @ 888.com.
Recommend: 1 unit
Mark Walsh versus Mark Hylton:
Two in-form players coming up against each other, with Mark Walsh’s run at the Grand Slam of Darts surprising everyone, not least me! Hylton’s quarter-final at the World Grand Prix wasn’t quite as surprising, as he’s come a long way in such a short space of time.
While I think Walsh’s run at the GSOD puts him in a good place for this match, Hylton has done enough to convince me he’s worth a bet at the price. He’s solid and steady, whereas you never know which Walsh is going to turn up.
Mark Hylton to beat Mark Walsh: 6/5 @ Paddy Power.
Recommend: 1 unit.
Peter Wright versus Denis Ovens:
All the makings of a classic here! Only joking, of course. Denis Ovens has had a puzzling year and he doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Peter Wright is just a puzzling darts player – on his day he can hang with some of the game’s best, other times he’d struggle to get a game in your local pub team.
While I can’t find an outright winner here, I think Wright looks good value to score the most 180s, as Ovens isn’t prolific on the maximums, while Wright can batter them if he’s in the mood.
Peter Wright to score more 180s than Denis Ovens: Evens @ 888.com.
Recommend: 2 units.
John Part versus Wayne Jones:
Part is favourite here, why? Both men had average Grand Slam of Darts runs, but Jones looked consistent, while Part looked a shade of his former self. I can’t see Jones losing this, as he’s had antoher consistent year, while Part looked to be getting some form back, but just didn’t capitalise as well as he should have.
Wayne Jones to beat John Part: 11/10 @ 888.com.
Recommend: 1.5 units.
Wes Newton versus Richie Burnett:
You know, I’d love Richie Burnett just to be given slightly easier draws occasionally. He’s not had any favours being handed to Wes Newton. We’ve all seen Newton get into the kind of form that’s taken him into the game’s elite, and it’ll be no surprise to see him triumph here. Yes, the short format can be unkind to bigger names, but I think Newton could get a run going here to see him going to the Ally Pally as one of those with a whiff of a chance.
Recommend: No bet.
Ronnie Baxter versus Raymond van Barneveld:
I won’t be touching Barney with a barge pole. He was absolutely shocking at the GSOD and I thought he was done for good, the way he sloped off the stage. He’s got his old advesary Ronnie Baxter on the oche facing him and Baxter’s little bit of form in Wigan might be the sign Barney could be out in the first round. If the Dutchman starts slow, it could be over quickly.
I don’t think Barney’s head’s in the right place again, so we have to back against him at the prices.
Ronnie Baxter to beat Raymond van Barneveld: 13/8 @ 888.com.
Recommend: 1 unit.
James Wade versus Andy Smith:
I feel like I’ve written this match up a few times recently and I always seem to fall on the side of Smith for some reason. To be honest, Smith has had a great year and we have made a few quid as the bookies underestimate him. James Wade, on the other hand, has had yet another inconsistent time with it. On TV, he’s playing reasonably well, off it he’s hardly done anything. Well, at least not in the UK!
Smith is around 2/1 and in this format, I think we should be tempted again, as he can score well from the off, which would put the pressure on Wade, who didn’t have the greatest GSOD.
Andy Smith to beat James Wade: 12/5 @ Betfair.
Recommend: 1 unit.
Paul Nicholson versus Steve Brown:
4/11 for Nicholson. It’s about right. Brown’s year hasn’t been anywhere near the year many had expected. He’s struggle to make his mark, while Nicholson’s star just seems to be getting brighter and brighter. No value to be had here, so we’ll call the last match of the night a dud.
Recommend: No bet.
That’s it for the first night of tips for the PDC Players Champonship, which is live on ITV4. We’ll be back tomorrow night with more tips for you to get your teeth stuck into.
Enjoy the darts and, most importantly, happy betting!
