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Well, what a long wait for the darts to come back. Can you believe it’s been that long since the World Matchplay? But now we’re back into darts season and we’ve got the World Grand Prix, then the Grand Slam of Darts and then the big one… the World Championship. It doesn’t get any better than that. Well, darts-related, at least.
The World Grand Prix is a great event, feature a set-based scoring format and also a double-in scoring feature. So, think of it like the World Championships but with a player having to score a double before he starts. It’s a top field for the event and it’s going to be a great week and a bit of darts.
I want to mention the bookmakers that will give you some free money for depositing there. Is there anything better than free money? Well, more free money. So, use my tips along with these free sign-up offers and we’ll keep the great run going!
First off, Betfair. If you’ve not got an account with Betfair, why not? More often than not, they have the best prices and, thanks to the ability to back or lay a selection, you can bet in-play with ease and also lay your bet back should you think the tide is about to turn for your player. It’s where serious bettors bet and if you’re serious about darts betting, you NEED an account here. Plus you get a free bet up to £25, which is always nice.
Victor Chandler as a well established name in sports betting and they really get behind the great sport of darts. They’ll give you up to a £100 free sports bet, as well as casino chips is you sign up there. There’s not a better offer available and I’ve taken advantage of this for tonight’s tips, and I think you should too. Hey, if the tips win, great, but if, for some strange reason, they don’t, you’ve lost nothing!
Boylesports are another great bookmaker for darts. They have a huge variety of markets and they have a nice £20 deposit bonus. You deposit and bet £20, they match it. Simples!
Stan James are big supporters of darts. We find their markets to be amongst the best when it comes to darts betting, which is why we proudly support them. Plus, their £25 match bet is a fantastic offer, probably the best out there at the moment. So, why not sign up, deposit and have a nibble on our first tip of the night and Stan James will match it:
Seriously, if you don’t have accounts at any of these bookmakers, sign up, deposit and use your free bet to have a dabble on tonight’s tips. Now that that’s out of the way and you’ve got your free bets, let’s get the tips going.
Andy Smith Vs Jamie Caven:
Andy Smith has pulled out some great results as of late, but he’s playing the man who needs to transfer his floor form to the stage. It just seems that when the camera gets on Jamie Caven, he seizes up. However, he’s got the game to beat Smith if Smith’s form starts to dip to where it has been over the past few years. But we can’t take the risk and Smith has come into a decent vein of form. The bookies have this match reasonably close and I agree.
The stats betting isn’t up to much, but a small dabble on Smith to take this simply because of recent televised form.
Andy Smith to beat Jamie Caven: 11/8 @
Recommend: 1 unit @ 11/8
Terry Jenkins Vs Vincent van der Voort:
This is the match I’ve been waiting to bet on since the draw was made. Terry Jenkins has been in shocking form. Seriously shocking. Vincent van der Voort, on the other hand, has been playing some good darts. His run at the World Matchplay was decent enough and his performance in the Champions League Darts also showed he’s in good form. Jenkins, on the other hand, hasn’t been setting the world alight.
I honestly believe the prices have been put up wrong for this match. I have van der Voort as favourite and the bookies all have Jenkins as the jolly. Based on this, we’re going in on the Dutchman to get his World Grand Prix off to a flier.
Vincent van der Voort to beat Terry Jenkins: 11/8 @
Recommend: 3 units @ 11/8
Steve Brown Vs Steve Farmer
Oh. 10/11 the pair? That’s about right. Farmer won his first PDC tournament recently, while Steve Brown is trying to make a name for himself in the PDC after the World Matchplay. What do I think? I honestly have no idea with this one. There is no value, simply because no-one knows what the craic is with either man and if Brown is simply a flash in the pan, while Farmer, the PDC old hand, might just grind Brown down.
But just take notes whilst watching this match. Nothing to see here!
Recommend: No bet.
Adrian Lewis Vs Alan Tabern
Poor Jackpot. Adrian Lewis went on a 15-group stage run in the Champions League Darts before losing spectacularly a fortnight ago. Lewis had been playing good darts until the last group stage, where he just capitulated. Tabern has been playing his solid, if unspectacular darts and will be hard to beat.
Basically, Lewis’ form on the TV seems to be slipping slightly, while Tabern is grinding out results like only he can. Lewis is the favourite, but Tabern might just be the value bet.
Alan Tabern to beat Adrian Lewis: 5/4 @
Recommend: 1 unit @ 5/4
Ronnie Baxter Vs Gary Anderson:
This match should be a cracker. Anderson has been in average form since making the final of the UK Open. His last appearance on Sky Sports in a PDC event was marred by an alleged injury to his throwing arm/shoulder. Baxter has been his consistent self and I think this one has too many variables to pick an outright winner. The market has Anderson a reasonably short priced favourite, but Baxter might just upset the apple-cart if Anderson struggles on his doubles, as he’s known to do.
However, both men can fire in great checkouts and this match should be no different.
Highest checkout in Baxter Vs Anderson match over 114.5: 4/5 @
Recommend: 2.5 units @ 4/5
Phil Taylor Vs Brendan Dolan
Erm… What do I say about this? Taylor won his group in the Champions League Darts, losing only one match. The Powers’ bandwagon shows no signs of slowing down and Brendan Dolan really shouldn’t be the man to do that. As always, a short price on a Taylor win and even the handicap markets are shocking value.
In short: just watch a legend in action.
Recommend: No bet.
Kevin Painter Vs Mark Dudbridge
You know, I like Kevin Painter. I know he’s much maligned in darting circles, but he does seem to give 100% all the time and has a bit of passion. On the other hand, we have Mark Dudbridge. To be honest, I don’t get him. He’s a World Championship finalist, just like Painter, but he’s struggled for consistent form and has been up and down the rankings like a yo-yo. Painter is the favourite for this match and rightly so, but on paper this should be really close. I don’t like backing Painter at the prices, but I wouldn’t put you off. Again, just enjoy this match as it really could go either way.
Recommend: No bet.
Mervyn King Vs Wayne Jones
A very tasty match to round the first day of darts action, with the uber-consistent Wayne Jones taking on the uber-mental Mervyn King. Jones really needs to bring his floor form to the televised stages and if he doesn’t, it will be a case of “what could have been” for him. He hasn’t been handed the kindest of draws, with King a firm feature on the television. However, I like Jones to cause a slight upset here. King has been relatively inconsistent as of late and someone like Jones can really take advantage of that.
Wayne Jones to beat Marvyn King: 6/4 @
Well, that’s all I’ve got to offer you at the moment. It’s going to be along day’s play and I’m going to be sat enjoying it. I love the set format and the World Grand Prix is a really unique event on the PDC calendar, plus the Irish crowds are always amazing.
Remember, get stuck in to the free bets on offer and, most importantly, get yourself to Betfair for your free bet:
