UK Open Darts Betting Preview

The UK Open begins on the 4th of June for four days, broadcast live on Sky. The tournament is known as the 'FA Cup'” of darts as it gives the minnows (pub players) the opportunity to strut the stage with the professionals, with an open draw throughout. It is probably the toughest tournament on the calendar for players to win with shocks aplenty. In the short history of the event, five of the six finals have resulted in one player who was available at three figure odds before the tournament started.

The early rounds one and two see those players ranked 33 to 96 in the PDC Order of the merit drawn along with thirty-two qualifiers. Postmen, pub landlords, lawyers, poultry farmers - the assorted works are there. These rounds are played over a very short first to six format and are fraught with danger for bettors.

The bigger guns ranked one to thirty-two enter the competition on the second day and the format lengthens with first to nine legs making headway into the last sixteen. On the Sunday there is maximum concentration level required for players with the quarters, semis and final taking place. As soon as one match is complete the winner has to ready himself for the next match. It may sound strange to say that playing darts on that final day knocks a lot out of the players but under the intense heat of the stage and pressure of the TV cameras that’s what it does. A lack of stamina can easily be shown up.

The tastiest looking tie of Round 2 is Gary Anderson versus Paul Nicholson. Anderson has already made an impact since switching from the BDO winning the Welsh Players Championship and reaching two other finals. The draw has been unkind though as Nicholson is a dangerous opponent who reached the quarter final of the World Championship in December and beat Anderson 5-4 at the Grand Slam of Darts in November last year.

Looking at the outright markets, of the tournament outsiders Jamie Caven (125-1) got a major confidence boost when winning the Welsh Regional final last month, his maiden title. Colin Osborne (50-1) has been practicing hard and if he can hit his doubles he can go well. Alan Tabern towards the end of last year was playing at a level where he looked the 3rd best arrowsmith in the PDC. He was the losing finalist in the aforementioned Welsh Regional final and his odds look big at 50s.

Of the big guns Adrian Lewis (40-1) has targeted a place in the top four by the years end. Lewis never qualified for the Premier League this year but has already got to two Players Championship finals and has slightly slowed down his game which appears to be boosting his concentration.

Phil Taylor’s odds have been on the slide after defeat to Mervyn King in the Premier League last month at odds of 1-10, in a match where he could only muster a 95.78 average, poor by his own amazing standards. Taylor is 21-20 with tournament sponsors Blue Square to win his 3rd UK open in 7 years.

World number 3 Raymond van Barneveld seems to have his head in his hands too much at present and needs to pick both himself and his game up if he is to bring home the bacon at 10-1. He does have an affinity with the venue having lifted the trophy in 2007 and 2008 which will please his many fans. The money has been coming for James Wade the new Premier League champion and he is best priced 7-1. He is on fire at present and with confidence at a high, looks sure to go well.

The event has become synonymous with 9 dart finishes and Phil Taylor alone has thrown four perfect legs in the tournament, though the 9-4 on offer looks tight. On the Saturday the 4th round matches are scheduled to complete at 5pm and the 5th round kicks off at 7pm. This short turnaround time can lead to a potential "rick" or two amongst the laying fraternity, so keep an eye open there. The burning question for tournament outright bettors is with Taylor sitting around evens, are you a backer or a layer?

Keep up to date with the latest odds and match stats at www.thetungstentipper.co.uk throughout the tournament.