O/T World Darts Championship

This thread was popular last year, so decided to start this thread for this year's tournament.

Begins tonight, with Luke Humphries the seed playing at the end of the night as he begins his defence of the title.


But he is only the second favourite to win the tournament, with fellow finalist from last year Luke Littler installed as the pre-tournament favourite.


Hopefully another great tournament ahead.

Who do you think will win?

All the hype will be with Littler after his debut year, he’s done what people thought he couldn’t and he’s made darts a game for people to be interested in.

He just doesn’t seem to be affected by the pressure and plays his own game, win or lose.

I do think that Luke Hunphries may prove a step too far again. Humphries has nothing to prove and Littler will want to win this so badly.

So, Humphries

I think Littler. And if he does, it could be pivotal for years of dominance.

I'll be backing Gerwyn Price, as always. Self proclaimed in good form, but he's had major demons this season and seems to be on the decline more than being a serious contender.

A strong field this year.

Gezzy , also look out for Rhys Griffen

Gone for Humphries

James Wade is the first seed to go out, losing to Jermaine Wattimena.

Hardly a surprise, he's been in awful form lately while Wattimena has had strong tournaments recently.

I expect Peter Wright could also struggle to progress, given how his year has gone.


Gerwyn Price is the seed playing in the last game tonight.

What happened with Menzies? Ive seen the videos of him in tears, didnt watch the game.

(Goowwwaaannnnnn Gezzy)

What happened with Menzies? Ive seen the videos of him in tears, didnt watch the game.

(Goowwwaaannnnnn Gezzy)

He lost but saw today that apparently his dad is ill so clearly has bigger issues going on.

What happened with Menzies? Ive seen the videos of him in tears, didnt watch the game.

(Goowwwaaannnnnn Gezzy)

He lost but saw today that apparently his dad is ill so clearly has bigger issues going on.

Not good. Talk Sport were implying it was the crowd.

What happened with Menzies? Ive seen the videos of him in tears, didnt watch the game.

(Goowwwaaannnnnn Gezzy)

He lost but saw today that apparently his dad is ill so clearly has bigger issues going on.

Not good. Talk Sport were implying it was the crowd.

To be fair I didn't see the match so it could well have been that as well.

Probably the biggest upset so far as De Decker loses to Woodhouse.

De Decker was amongst the favourites to win the tournament.

Woodhouse is a banana skin for anyone. He's had a career best year so far. Not a major shock for me.

Woodhouse is a banana skin for anyone. He's had a career best year so far. Not a major shock for me.

De Decker was awful which helped.

Peter Wright goes through, but won't be going too far on this form.

I photographed the darts at Blackpool a few years back but I have never really followed the early rounds of the WC.

One thing I didn't realise, until last night, was how good the top end players are when compared with others in the completion.

Last night I watched the 3 games finishing with Fallon Sherrock. Some very good games there but also some erratic darts and scores averaging out at around 80 compared to the top players who are in the 100 bracket.

I photographed the darts at Blackpool a few years back but I have never really followed the early rounds of the WC.

One thing I didn't realise, until last night, was how good the top end players are when compared with others in the completion.

Last night I watched the 3 games finishing with Fallon Sherrock. Some very good games there but also some erratic darts and scores averaging out at around 80 compared to the top players who are in the 100 bracket.

Erratic was understatement in one game players took 33 darts to check out on a double ended with a double 1....

We had our 1st 9 darter tonight - Christian Kist

Gerwyn is right back on it

Major upset tonight.

Kevin Doets knocks out world number two Michael Smith.

Smith will go tumbling down the rankings now and will end up outside the top ten.

Major upset tonight.

Kevin Doets knocks out world number two Michael Smith.

Smith will go tumbling down the rankings now and will end up outside the top ten.

Most of the smart money was on Smith pre tournament as the value bet - around 28-1 or more

MvG safely though to the stages after Christmas but not a convincing performance.

Hurrell busting 140 by hitting a single 20 and two treble 20s didn't help his case - no excuse for that at this level.