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The game of darts is believed to have evolved from archery and began as a pub game in the early part of the 20th century. It was particularly popular In the UK throughout the 1970s and 1980s and in recent years, has become increasingly popular in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia.

It is an absorbing sport which still attracts bumper crowds and major tournaments are regularly priced up by major bookmakers. Betting on darts has become increasingly prevalent over the past decade and events such as the World Championship and the World Match-play have become hugely significant wagering events. We take a look at how to bet intelligently on darts and provide advice and tips which will hopefully help you make wiser decisions before placing a wager:

Types of Bet

Tournament Outright
The majority of tournaments will be priced up a week in advance although major events such as the World Championship will often be available months in advance. Tournament betting requires your chosen player to be victorious and to be the last player standing. They will be required to progress to the final two before securing the title. Each-way betting is available on darts tournaments and although each bookmaker’s terms will vary, your player will be required to make the final two in order for you to receive a pay-out.

Handicaps
Darts can throw up a number of one-sided matches, particularly during the early stages of a tournament. Favourites can often start a game at extremely prohibitive odds and the average bettor is unlikely to wager at this price. This market is about getting greater value from backing the favourites or giving the underdog a chance. If you believe that the outsider can keep remain competitive and give the favourite a bit of a scare, the + handicap is ideal.

If the format of a tournament is first to six sets, the +2.5 handicap allows the underdog to stay within two sets of the favourite. You would be able to cash in your bet if the score ended 6-5 or 6-4. 5+ [2.5 sets] = 7.5, 4+ [2.5 sets] = 6.5.
If the score ended 6-3, unfortunately your bet would lose. 3+ [2.5 sets] = 5.5
Punters who believe that the favourite will cruise to a straightforward win, you can back them to win by a clear number of sets. Using the same example of -2.5 sets, a winning score-line of 6-1, 6-2 or even 6-3 would result in a pay-out. 6- [2.5 sets] = 3.5 and that would still be higher than the opponent’s total.

180s
Throwing 180s is a huge part of the game and they always provokes a roar of approval from the crowd. There are numerous 180s markets available with online bookmakers and these can be a great way of betting of a game of darts without having to predict the outcome. ‘Big Hitters’ tend to be players who have the accuracy to land numerous 180s per match and these type of competitors are always worth backing on the ‘Most 180s’ markets.

If you’ve backed a player to hit the highest number of 180s, they only need to outscore their opponent in this field. If they lose the match but hit six more 180s than their opponent, you would still be paid out regardless of the defeat.
Some players tend to play a hugely tactical game and move around the board as opposed to always aiming for 180s. During the latter part of his career on the tour, Phil Taylor tended to aim for treble 19s as opposed to treble 20s and this made him a poor bet in the 180s market.

If you think it’s going to be a high-scoring contest with very little between the players, you can bet on ‘Total 180s’. If you bet on Over 10.5 180s, you will require at least 11 in order for your bet to be successful. Matches which involve evenly matched players and expected to be long contests are often good for these markets.

In Play Betting

Darts is a hugely competitive sport and the momentum can change direction in the blink of an eye. This makes it an ideal proposition for in-play betting. Once the game has begun, bettors can still get involved and the constant fluctuations are perfect for obtaining value.

Some players are notorious fast-starters but often fail to maintain their high level of performance throughout the entire game. They can be backed at the beginning of the match and once they go in front, it is often a good idea to back their opponent. If you do your maths correctly, you can ensure that you make a profit regardless of the result.

Pricing of alternative markets will also change throughout the game. If the first set is played and there was just a single 180 thrown, then this is the perfect chance to take advantage of the in-play market. If the pre-match market is set at Under/Over 7.5 180s, by the time that the first set is complete, it may have reduced to Under/Over 5.5 due to the paucity of 180s during the early stages of the game. However, matches naturally become more competitive as they reach the business end and during the latter stages, players can often throw more 180s as they desperately search for big scores.

If you’re betting in-play, it is always advised to watch the match and get a feel for the pattern of play. If a player is missing their doubles by the narrowest of margins, it could be worth backing them to start picking up some points in the later stages.

Things to Consider

BDO / PDC
There are two major darts bodies who regulate the various competitions. The BDO and PDC have two completely separate sets of players following an acrimonious split in the early 1990s. The PDC circuit is generally considered to be superior so when betting on these tournament, they will have more markets available but the quality of game is likely to be higher. Players are less likely to make errors or have ‘off days’ on the PDC whereas many of the BDO players are not paid as highly and have less experience in front of the TV cameras and playing in front of big crowds.

Player Schedules
Similar to other solo sports, player well-being and mood can greatly affect the outcome of any match. Always study a players schedule and ensure that they aren’t going to put in a below-par performance. Competitors who are racking up the miles and coming into a tournament during a particularly busy period can often be less focused than their opponent. Players who are competing in Australia on Sunday and then having to fly back to the UK to squeeze in a practice session before another round of Premier League darts on the Thursday are unlikely to be fully focussed and may still be suffering from jet lag.

Players will often give you an idea of how punishing their schedules are via their social media account and this can be a great way of avoiding potential upsets.

Current Form
Confidence is a massive factor in sport and players can often be hard to stop when they are riding the crest of a wave. Always back a player who is in a purple patch. Every run has to end at some point but if your chosen player is winning TV tournaments and beating players ranked above them, this is a good sign. If you can spot an up and coming player before the bookmakers, it can be a great way of turning a profit.
Sometimes, players are feeling under the weather or aren’t playing with their usual swagger and these should be avoided.

Tournament Preference and Location
Similar to the majority of individual sports, certain players will flourish at particular venues. Phil Taylor was prolific at the World Matchplay in Blackpool and told reporters that it was his favourite tournament on the darts calendar. Always check a player’s tournament history before placing a wager.

Particular venues will bring out the best in some players and this is always worth bearing in mind. During the Premier League, many players will compete at a tournament close to home. In 2018. Daryl Gurney excelled in front of a Northern Irish crowd whilst any Scouse or North Eastern player is always likely to get an excellent reception during the Liverpool and Newcastle legs of the tour. Being close to home and having a partisan home crowd willing them on tends to help lift a player’s performance.

Tips and Strategies
• Explore the different markets available. Don’t just stick to the outright market.
• Always check a player’s tournament history before placing a wager
• Keep up-to-date with a player’s current mind-set using social media
• Don’t be afraid to change your opinion halfway through a match. Betting in-play allows profit to be made mid-match.
• Do your research

As one of the most popular sports across Asia, Table Tennis offers punters plenty of opportunities to win big – in a multitude of events.

Like many Olympic sports, the focus of the world’s media hots up on Table Tennis as part of the games but with regular ranking events, an annual World Cup and the introduction of the International Ping Pong Tournament in the UK – Table Tennis is enjoying somewhat of a resurgence in the public eye.

Here is our guide to how bet on Table Tennis intelligently:-

• Cash in on the Bookmaker’s Uncertainty
Table tennis – particularly in the Western betting markets – is not one of the prominent sports for punters and bookies alike. As a result, bookmakers often have no choice but to use the ranking system as their only guide when developing pre-match odds. This opens a window of opportunity for punters who can exploit over or under priced bets in specific events and hopefully win big.

• Target the Smaller Events on the Table Tennis Calendar
Table tennis is one of the very few Olympic sports that has a fully developed, worldwide calendar outside of the Olympic Games. Meaning, there are a wealth of events for punters to bet on – often with smaller prize money pots, in relatively obscure places around the world. The biggest names in Table Tennis have to compete in a certain number of events to retain their place on the world tour but often these lesser known ranking events can spring a few surprises – with the inclusion of amateur players in the draw often a factor too. Most of the biggest names in Table Tennis tend to save their best performances for the World Cups and the Olympic Games.

• Search for Value Outside of Asia
As one of the most popular sports in China, Table Tennis competitions are normally dominated by the Chinese on both the men and women’s side – with all of the medals at the 2016 Olympics in Table Tennis being won by Chinese players. There are a stream of talented European players however – particularly from Russia and Germany and bookmakers are often lulled in to offering shorter odds on the Chinese players – simply due to their nationality. Obviously, this betting strategy can fall up short but searching for players who come into each event in form and have strong odds in the head to head match up can be an effective betting ploy.

• Research Form and Head to Head Records
The number of events on the Table Tennis Calendar can be a huge help when looking to bet on the sport successfully as developing a database of results can be a simple task –with so many of the world’s best playing against each other on a regular basis. Researching player form, their head to head record against a specific opponent or even a certain type of opponent (e.g. left hander) can give crucial clues when looking to punt on Table Tennis intelligently.

• Embrace the In-Play Betting Opportunities
The enhancement of in-play betting opportunities across all sports has given a whole new world for punters to enjoy when betting on sport. Table Tennis is no different and with its long-haul scoring format of sets to 11 points (must win by 2 clear points) and race to 3 or 5 sets – it gives the bettor plenty of opportunities to stake on each set, the winning margin, bet with a handicap or even the outcome of each point. Following the action in play (through live streams) can greatly help the punter witness any momentum shifts or changes in performance from each player and bet accordingly.

With its all action, fast and furious set up, Speedway is one of the premier motorcycle sports on the planet.

With four riders crammed on to a tight track – all jostling for position – whilst travelling on a bike with no gears, at ridiculous speeds, make it one of the most exciting sports to watch and as a result – a fascinating sport for punters to bet on.

Here is our guide to how bet on Speedway intelligently:-

• Utilise the Betting Opportunities
Speedway events are comprised of multiple heats (short, sharp races of 4 laps) that are usually complete inside 1 or 2 minutes. With each race normally housing 4 competitors, the opportunities to bet on each race within a Speedway meeting are endless. Many Speedway events are also team events, with riders looking to score points for their specific team in a head to head fixture. Once again, this brings about tactical battles within the race, where riders look to protect one and other as he race ensues meaning there a plenty of markets for punters to exploit when betting on Speedway.

• Benefit from the Lack of Outright Favourites
As mentioned, Speedway races are fast and frenetic and it’s usually the rider who makes the best start that goes on to dominate the race – provided they make no mistakes in the corresponding 4 laps. As a result, in a field of 4 riders, particularly at the elite level, it is often difficult for bookmakers and punters alike to ascertain who the outright favourite is in each race – something that is reflected in the odds. So looking to back riders who may be in good form or have a good head to head record is the way to go in what invariably is a very open field at the start of a Speedway race.

• Home Team Advantage
One of the age-old discussions in the world of Speedway is the influence of the home team in a Speedway meeting as tracks can be tailored to suit the needs of the home team in a very influential manner. Also, home teams will train on their track so they will be fully aware of the nuances of each area of their home turf. Independent commissioners have been brought in (in UK Speedway) in an attempt to level up the playing field but home advantage still plays a huge part within Speedway meetings and backing home riders – especially if conditions get wet and windy – is an effective betting approach.

• Target the Big Events
Speedway is one of the most popular motorcycle sports in Northern Europe (UK and Scandinavia) as well as in Australia and Russia. 2018 saw the traditional Speedway World Cup develop into a new format entitled the Speedway of Nations which saw competitors from all over the world compete in a pair’s event – which was ultimately won by Russia who edged out the UK in the final. With so many countries taking part and over 100 individual heats being tallied up, targeting the big events can give punters a Speedway betting field day in and around the big events in the calendar.

• Factor in Injury Inevitability
Due to its high octane, all-action nature, injuries are an inevitable part of Speedway with high-impact collisions happening on tracks, all over the world, regularly. As a result, many of the biggest names in the sport take weeks/months out to rehabilitate and they can take a while to fully recover and reach maximum speeds again. Following the form and injury history of the biggest names in Speedway is an essential part of wagering on Speedway effectively.

Like many winter sports, Snowboarding struggles for TV exposure outside of the main events such as the World Cup, World Championships and of course the Winter Olympics.

Unlike many of its winter competitors however, Snowboarding has an international appeal to all generations and with its varied competitive forms, is one of the biggest winter sports on the planet.

Here is our guide to how bet on Snowboarding intelligently:-

• Follow the Trend and Go For the Big Events
Simply due to their seasonal nature, Winter Sports can struggle to influence betting markets as the sports that are played all year round take to take precedence for bookmakers. The exceptions to that rule however are the Winter Olympics and World Championships. The World Championships take place annually whilst the Winter Olympics take place every four years and is the biggest event in Winter Sports. Bookmakers will follow the trend in popularity and offer specials and enhanced odds in support of these events – which is music to the ears of punters.

• Embrace the Variety
Snowboarding is a diverse sport, with many different disciplines being carried out within the sport. The most popular event in recent years has become Snowboard Cross, which sees 4 competitors go head to head in a battle to cross the finish line first. Punters can also stake on the Slalom (a timed event down a slalom course), Big Air (a judged competition for boarders to perform tricks following a high jump) and Half Pipe (another judged competition, where competitors have to travel down a half pipe, being marked on their tricks as they go). The amount of events available to bet on in the world of Snowboarding can be daunting but all present huge opportunities to win big, with the complex nature of each event requiring its own unique skill set.

• Target the Races
Whilst Big Air and Half Pipe events are fantastically entertaining to watch, the difficulty involved in each trick coupled with the personal element of being judged by neutral judges – can bring about some unpredictable results, which make wagering on those disciplines very difficult to do successfully. Slalom, Giant Slalom and Snowboard Cross are simpler formats to follow, with timed scores being the measurement of success in the slalom events and the Snowboard Cross being a straight race to the finish, the lack of outside variables make wagering on the races an effective tactic.

• Get the Bets in Early
The big events in the Snowboarding calendar are normally spread out over 2/3 days at the Olympics or World Championships with athletes having to qualify from heats to reach the latter stages. As competitions progress, awareness of favourites for the crown tends to grow with each round of the event that passes – meaning backing the favoured boarder as early as possible (either pre-event or in play) can greatly enhance any potential winnings come the end of the competition.

• Snowboarding Knowledge is Key
As with most winter sports, World Championships and Winter Olympics are the culmination of a year or even 4 years of training for athletes – who will be looking to peak at the right times. Knowledge of which boarders have performed well throughout the seasons, awareness of athletes that may be recovering from injury or which participants will be looking to integrate a new trick in to their routine, are all key considerations when staking on Snowboarding as there aren’t too many variables within the sport – with the course and constraints being the same for all athletes – finding the niches in the betting market can be the deciding factor when looking to win big.

With its popularity across the globe, particularly in Northern Europe and Asia – Snooker is one of the most lucrative sports available for punters to stake on with its wealth of betting opportunities.

The World Snooker Association have developed an extensive Worldwide Calendar where the elite players on the planet, travel all over the globe, with huge prize money on offer – culminating in the World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield, UK in May.

Here is our guide to how bet on Snooker intelligently:-

• Cash in with Snooker Bookmakers
With many of the main events in the snooker calendar being held in the UK, many of the big players on the UK Betting Scene provide sponsorship for the big events – such as the Ladbrokes Players Championship and the Betfred World Championship. As a result, the bookmakers often have a vested interest to entice new customers or reward existing customers by offering deals/enhanced odds around the big events on the snooker calendar.

• Avoid the Fast and Furious Events
As a game of great tradition, snooker has seen its popularity gradually wain since the height of its fame in the 1980’s and a number of innovations have been brought in – in an attempt to make the game more fashionable. Such events include the Snooker Shootout – a one frame tournament – featuring many of the world’s biggest names, where players have a 20 second shot clock and can be pitted against pretty much anyone, with no seeding system. The lottery of the event makes it almost impossible to pick a winner and such events should be avoided for the seasoned Snooker punter.

• Exploit the Handicaps
Most snooker knockout events implement a seeding system, protecting the highest ranked players in the world – as reward for their past performances at previous events. In the early stages of these events, the world’s elite may be pitted against relative unknowns – that have progressed to this stage through qualifying. The self-paced nature of snooker, allows players to compete with the world’s elite (provided they have the skill set) regardless of physicality or experience. Meaning, many of the world’s best are pushed all the way by talented amateurs in the early stages of big events. Capitalising on the Handicap market (giving the outsider a head start of 2/3/4 frames) is frequently an effective ploy – particularly in the big events.

• Back the Big Breaks
The maximum score a player can achieve in one break on a snooker table is 147 and many of the world’s top players have completed this feat – in front of the TV cameras – on multiple occasions. Pre-tournament betting on the outcome of a Snooker event can be tough but backing a 147 to be made in any event – is always a worthwhile outside punt as most of the world’s big names are more than capable.

• Embrace the In-Play Snooker Betting
Snooker’s complex scoring system makes it a dream for punters with its wealth of betting opportunities, within each frame and across the whole match – that allow the punter to bet without fear. The slow-paced nature of the game too puts less emphasis on impulsive betting and allows for a more measured decision making process that will hopefully maximise the winning potential.

• Become Informed through Live Snooker Streaming
As mentioned, many of the biggest events on the snooker calendar are backed by big UK Bookmakers meaning customers can indulge in live snooker whilst placing stakes on the outcome. Being able so visibly see player’s strategies as well as the state each game is in (e.g. the way in which the balls are spread) gives the punter a huge advantage when betting on Snooker.

• Build A Snooker Betting Strategy
With so many events on the snooker calendar and with most events featuring many of the biggest names in the game – week in, week out – building a database of results would be an effective ploy as most of the biggest names in the game play against each other regularly. Whilst some players are known for their swash-buckling approach (Ronnie O’Sullivan or Judd Trump) others are known for their staunch defence and safety play (John Higgins or Barry Hawkins) and game styles often pair off well against one and other. Knowledge of past results, player form and head to head history are all useful tools for Snooker punters and the extra knowledge can give punters the edge.

Australia’s National Sport very rarely captures the imagination of many outside of Australia itself but the complex structure and fierce nature of the game make it fascinating to watch and provides many betting opportunities for rookie and seasoned punters alike.

With 18 men on each side taking the Oval – with the ultimate aim of kicking the ball between a series of four goal posts (total is dependent on which posts the ball travels through) it can be a frenetic sport to watch for the uninitiated but getting to know Aussie Rules can help punters win big.

Here is our guide to how bet on Aussie Rules intelligently:-

• Target the Outright Markets and Build an Accumulator
Much like many of the UK and US markets, Aussie Rules sees teams to head to head as part of a League season, with each team playing each other twice – home and away. Betting on the outright results of Aussie Rules matches can be a lucrative tactic as can developing an accumulator bet. Where punters can pick 2 or more matches (with kick off times usually being close together) and sit back and watch if their pre-match picks come in. The huge advantage of accumulator betting is that punters can stake a small amount – to win big – the odds are against them of course.

• Back the Underdogs
It goes without saying, that continually backing the underdog in any sporting discipline would not be the most effective tactic. However, the physical and unpredictable nature of Aussie Rules however lends itself to backing the underdog in a head to head market. Research of past form, injuries and head to head records are of course a key facet but with teams being able to score points through behinds as well as goals – accumulating points in an Aussie Rules game is not a difficult thing for teams to do meaning underdogs can often be within a handful of points in the dying embers of a game and can often upset the supposedly bigger team for the win.

• Embrace the Unusual Markets
Aussie Rules has one of the most complex scoring structures for fans and punters to follow with points being awarded for a goal (6 points) or a behind (1 point) meaning games can often be quite high scoring and entertaining. The structure gives punters scope to tackle the wealth of markets associated with an Aussie Rules game such as total points scored, winning margin as well as positive and negative handicap markets – which are all in-play for the duration of the game – give punters plenty of opportunities to win big in unconventional markets.

• Study the Form Tables and the Rules
As mentioned, outside of Australia, Aussie Rules footy can struggle for notoriety on the world stage. Whilst punting on the nuances of the game can bring about profitable results, lack of knowledge on team selection, form and the actual rules of the game itself can be costly for punters. Research around which teams are in good form, how each team accumulates their points (goals or behinds) are essential things to consider when betting on Aussie Rules.

• Bet in Play
With each match being played over four, 20 minute long quarters betting in-play on Aussie Rules doesn’t need to be an impulsive vocation and punters can enjoy watching the match whilst making informed predictions on the outcome. In addition, watching the game can help rookie punters become more familiar with the rules of the game and can once more help all levels of bettor wager on Aussie Rules more intelligently.

Saturday night sees the eagerly anticipated return of WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua.

Now 21-0 with 20 KOs to his name, AJ faces the challenge of Russian slugger Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium in front of 80,000 fans, who arrives in England looking to regain a championship strap after holding the WBA’s ‘regular’ title from 2011-2013.

This is a mandatory challenge for Joshua. With much talk surrounding the possible unification bout with WBC king Deontay Wilder, Eddie Hearn and AJ decided to fulfil their mandatory requirements first in the form of Povetkin; a Wilder-Fury showdown is expected in December this year.

The undercard at Wembley Stadium looks tasty as well. Luke Campbell looks to seek revenge over Yvan Mendy; the Frenchman took Campbell’s unbeaten record in 2015 and Campbell is chomping at the bit for shot at a lightweight world title again.

The British cruiserweight title is also up for grabs as Matty Askin defends against Lawrence Okolie, and David Price makes another return at heavyweight against 12-0 Sergey Kuzmin.

Where can we find value from Saturday’s card?

Anthony Joshua to win by decision @ 11/4 (BetVictor)

We all know the dangers of a heavyweight contest: knockouts are very common. This being said, there is an argument to favour this one ending with the judges scorecards. On March 31 earlier this year, Anthony Joshua went the distance for the first time in his professional career. Beating Joseph Parker in a unanimous decision, AJ showed another side to his boxing skillset in working his jab against the Kiwi. Parker proved illusive and hard to hit; Povetkin will prove hard to stop.

The Russian has only lost once in his professional career when he came up against the legendary force of Wladimir Klitschko. Despite struggling against the Ukrainian, Povetkin lasted the distance in a tricky fight; Wlad was also arguably at the peak of his powers.

Joshua has recently explained his desire to provide entertainment for his army of UK fans, and although he will chase the KO on Saturday, AJ is well aware of the threat the Russian poses. A change in tactics may occur half way through the fight once the Brit has tested the chin of Povetkin.

11/4 certainly shows value.

Over 8.5 rounds @ 1/1 (BetVictor)

Backing over 8.5 rounds allows a bit of breathing space in regards to our previous bet. There is no value in backing Joshua to win outright, so backing the fight to finish on the cards or between rounds 9-12 shows significant value at Evens.

Luke Campbell to beat Yvan Mendy at 2/7 (BetVictor)

Luke Campbell was shocked by the Frenchman in 2015 at London’s O2. Since then, the Hull fighter has challenged for Jorge Linares’ world title, stretched his record to 18-2 and got himself back into a position to rematch the 33-year-old. Mendy has won every fight since, however, Campbell has developed significantly. Now under the tutelage of Shane McGuigan, ‘Coolhand’ will have learnt his lessons from his split decision loss to the Frenchman.

2/7 isn’t a fantastic price, but the money is safe with Campbell sure to get the victory barring disaster. He will peak over the next year or so, with a Linares rematch in his sights.

Matty Askin to beat Lawrence Okolie @ 9/4 (BetVictor)

Make no mistake. This fight is a 50/50. Matty Askin is being severely overlooked by the British public, and perhaps Okolie and his team. Askin has won his last five fights – three coming against previously unbeaten opponents – and the 29-year-old shouldn’t be fazed by facing ‘Sauce’ at Wembley.

Okolie is technically superior, however, cruiserweight is a weight class known for it’s upsets. I’ll still be a little surprised if Askin wins, but in a 50/50 fight, the value lies in the underdog. 9/4 is a fantastic price for the champion.