Rob Cross turned the world of darts on its head on New Year’s Day. The 27-year-old beat Phil Taylor to win the PDC World Darts Championship in his first year as a professional, giving hope to pub players everywhere.
Such a rapid rise has never before been seen in the PDC but Taylor himself did something similar in the BDO. As the home of amateur darts, the BDO has long been the place where up and coming players sharpen their teeth and this week it’s time for the organisation to grab the limelight again with their World Darts Championship.
Thousands of Darts fans will make the trip to Frimley Green, Surrey for a chance to visit what many believe is the true home of darts, Lakeside Country Club. The venue will host the BDO World Darts Championship for a 33rd time and this year’s tournament is shaping up to be as entertaining as any other.
Durrant Can Do What Van Gerwen Couldn’t
Punters may be wary about backing another clear favourite for a darts tournament after Michael van Gerwen let them down by losing to Cross in the semi finals but it is tough to look past Glen Durrant for more Lakeside glory.
This is the third year in a row in which the Teessider has headed into the BDO World Darts Championship with punters expecting a win. He fell short in 2016 but was far from disheartened. Rather than sulking, Durrant got back down to work and finally achieved his dream 12 months ago.
Durrant’s success at the Lakeside was all about perseverance and hard work. 47 he may well be but Durrant isn’t ready to let go of his world championship and has spoken openly about his desire to join the PDC if things go well in the coming week. Driven by a desire to play against the best in the world and with the knowledge of exactly what it takes to win this title, Durrant is the man all the others have to beat at best betting odds of 11/8 with Coral.
Waites the Pick of the Each Way Options
While Durrant’s taste of the PDC at the Grand Slam of Darts helped to convince him that the PDC is where his future lies, Scott Waites has never had his head turned in the same way. The two-time BDO World Champion and 2010 Grand Slam winner has long fended off questions about joining the PDC and he seems as happy as ever with his lot.
Waites has a well tested routine at the Lakeside and will once again be well backed at a best price of 25/1 with Betfred. The main concern is a tough draw that pits him against Ross Montgomery in the first round but it could be just the thing that Waites needs to get him up to speed nice and early for a run to the final.
Rob Cross’ win at the Alexandra Palace has sent punters into a frenzy looking for players who can ape his heroics at the Lakeside. While Cross was hardly overlooked by the bookies at a general 16/1, our value bet prediction for the BDO World Darts Championship is a much healthier 66/1 with Bet365.
Derk Telnekes is the man in question. The Dutch player caught the eye when winning the Belgium Open in August and he reached the semi finals of the Czech Open in November. Other than that, his results may seem unconvincing and his lack of big stage experience makes Telnekes look a risky play but at massive odds of 66/1 we fancy him for an each way bet.