2018 World Series of Darts Finals Betting Tips and Odds

From Las Vegas to Auckland, Gelsenkirchen to Shanghai, all roads lead to Vienna and to out 2018 World Series of Darts Finals betting tips.

The unique format of the tournament sees the great and the good of the game travel to all four corners of the globe to take part in ‘Masters’ events; then, those who accrue the most points are given a handy seeding for the finals, which this year have moved from Glasgow to Vienna.

The field is supplemented by the most consistent quartet of players from the Order of Merit, as well as four who emerged from the qualifiers held just a couple of weeks ago.

There is much to look forward to when the action kicks off in the Multiversum Schwechat on Friday, November 2. Can Michael van Gerwen bounce back from his early exit from the European Championships last week? Can the winner of that event, James Wade, continue his darting renaissance in Austria? And can local hero, Mensur Suljovic, take the title on home soil?

These questions and many more will be answered as the PDC schedule heads into its thrilling final throes in 2018.

Tournament History & Format

The World Series of Darts was founded in 2013 with one express aim in mind: to take the best players on the planet to parts of the globe that don’t typically get to see top-notch tungsten.

And so trips to Vegas, Tokyo, Dubai and Singapore have all followed, with a particular focus on the burgeoning darts audience in Australia and New Zealand. Four of the seven continents have been represented, and the PDC big cheeses will surely want to tick off the rest in due course; who wouldn’t look forward to watching the Antarctica Masters?

The top eight players from all of the World Series of Darts are seeded and handed byes into the second round of the finals, with the rest of the qualifiers doing battle in the first round.

The opening pair of rounds are best-of-eleven matches, which increases to 19 for the quarters and 21 for both the semis and the final.

The Field

The lure of visiting some of the most glamorous locations on earth was enough to tempt Gary Anderson and Raymond van Barneveld out of their self-imposed light schedules; so that duo will take their place in the World Series of Darts Finals alongside all of the usual suspects.

Based upon performances in the six WSOD events, MVG is listed as the lowly third seed in Vienna; however, he probably doesn’t care all that much. Peter Wright in as the top seed and world champion Rob Cross in at two.

Along with Anderson and RVB, the big eight is rounded out by vanquished European Championship finalist Simon Whitlock, Suljovic and Michael Smith.

Of the qualifiers, the most intriguing has to be James Wade, a new father and brimming with the perspective that brings. Keep an eye out for Kyle Anderson, who returned in Dortmund with a slower throwing style (and lost despite averaging 101) and Raymond Smith, who is highly rated Down Under.

The Betting Favourites

You know the drill by now: Michael van Gerwen is the odds-on favourite with the bookmakers (3/4 with Betsson) as he seeks a fourth consecutive World Series of Darts crown.

Gary Anderson and Peter Wright, who have both lost in the final of this event, are the next best in the market at 6/1 with William Hill and 8/1 with Betfred respectively.

Punters can get 11/1 with Betsafe about Rob Cross, 23/1 about Mensur Suljovic with Betsson and Michael Smith fanciers can back their man at 25/1 with Royal Panda.

The Outsiders

The odds on James Wade winning the WSOD were significantly longer this time last week than they are now after his triumph at the European Championship, although a princely 40/1 is still available with Betfred.

Elsewhere, there’s the usual tasty prices about Dave Chisnall (33/1 with Bet-At-Home), Daryl Gurney (40/1 with William Hill), Simon Whitlock (40/1 with Royal Panda) and Raymond van Barneveld (50/1 with Betfred), although getting one of that quartet over the line has been a tricky task in recent years.

Ian White (60/1 at Betsafe) and Gerwyn Price (60/1 with Bet-At-Home), both winners on the European Tour this season, also command respect.

The Verdict

The top half of the draw looks a meaty old affair with Wright potentially on a collision course with either Anderson or Smith, should all go as planned.

That alone will be enough to put most punters off, although Smith has beaten his mentor Anderson in four of their last five meetings. Bully Boy missed 27 darts at double against Joe Cullen in the European Championship, which suggests a) he had a bad day at the office but b) that his scoring is in good touch in order to create that many opportunities.

A small each way flutter on the St Helens thrower at least has some logic to it then.

In the bottom half, MVG could run into his old mucker RVB in the quarter-finals and either Cross or Suljovic in the semis. That obstacle-laden path once again means that backing Mighty Mike at odds-on prices is a no-no.

Cross appears to be haplessly out of form at the moment, and so Suljovic – buoyed by playing in front of his home crowd over in Austria – is the one to watch on the other side of the draw.

Those seeking a wager on an individual match are pointed in the direction of Kyle Anderson, who looked very good despite defeat to Gerwyn Price in Dortmund last week. He faces Ian White, a talented player who continues to struggle on big stages in front of the TV cameras.

Best Bets for the World Series of Darts Finals 2018:

• Mensur Suljovic each way (23/1 with Betsson)
• Michael Smith each way (25/1 with Royal Panda)
• Kyle Anderson to beat Ian White (11/8 with Bet365)

 

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