*** happybibee *** World Darts Championship - Day 1 *** 2015/16

*** happybibee *** World Darts Championship - Day 1 *** 2015/16

No hibee reviews from the great man, (though never say never)? However, HH is etched in forum folklore and adones the opening night header for the World Champs.  Like KJP and the missing wall mural being rectified. Talking of King John, he rather sportingly took the tough pdc world champs pre qualifying route via the North American qualifier and freed up a space for the mainly British contingent to battle it out in Coventry. Unfortunately he didn't quite make it but on a better note will once again be spinning his many words of wisdom that Mardle and co will steal from his and claim as their own work.

2015/16 PDC WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP

4 matches for the opening night of the 2nd* greatest darts tournament in the world.
1 prelim and 3 first round.

The prelims have been extended from a "best of 9 legs to best of 3 sets."
As has been stated by more than one player, winning a short prelim match was a confidence booster, whereas now with the much longer format it's more of an endurance test playing 2 matches on the same night. (The original plan was for the prelim winner to play one match on the night and the first round on another night). It looks like the powers that be are looking after their own and giving the rags a raw deal?


FIRST ROUND - Best of 5 sets - Best of 5 Legs Per Set


Thursday December 17 (7pm-11pm)

Match 1) Andy Boulton 4/7 v Per Laursen 13/8 Preliminary Round - Best of 3 sets - Best of 5 Legs Per Set. No tie-break.

The question on everyone's lips isn't who'll win that match. It's will Per's daughter be in attendance? Per's been around forever and will plod along at his own pace.

Boulton's also been around for years and played his fair share of matches on tv. But stated after his opening Grand Slam match against Barney that he was wrought with nerves? Another good floor player unable to adjust to the big stage pressure?

Of the two, Per's the value @ 13/8 but no bet for me.

I can't pass up this opportunity to post a legendary hibee - "No Recommendation."


Match 2) Jamie Lewis 10/11 v Daryl Gurney 1/1

Wales v Norn Iron. Two smashing youngsters making inroads within the game.
Once in their groove both players effortlessly ping the T20. My first abiding memory of Gurney was in the BDO World Championship where he won his match and threw his remaining darts into the sacred floor/carpet where many a great graced the oche of the legendary Lakeside stage. (This is now a fining offence in the PDC along with a list of other misdemeanors). As is taking your shirt off and swinging it around your head ala Colin Lloyd style. The bet I like is Jamie to cover his 180's spread and get us off to a good start.

Jamie Lewis Total 180's - Over 3.5 @ 8/11 pp 1.2pts



Match 3) Peter Wright 1/3 v Keegan Brown 3/1

Wright has been nothing short of sensational at times this season. Never has a player in the top bracket of darts changed his equipment so many times and so often like Snakebite has done. We used to wait to see what darts he was using before betting on his 180 spread. "What's he using?" "Is he playing with the thin of fat darts?" Now he just mullers the T20 with ease. He said in a recent interview that the darts he now uses frightened him in practice they were going that well. So it proved as he would reel off 12 darters after 12 darters. A contender to go all the way for me no doubt.

Keegan has had his moments and like so many youngsters before him has been touted for great things. There's been some good displays but if one thing gnaws at me it's dart players who haven't prepared their equipment properly. Keegan was guilty of this by not roughing up his points in the Grand Slam. The amount of darts dropping from the treble 20 bed was embarrassing, ala Chisnall style, who ironically was his opponent. A right pair of steamers!

Wright on the other hand has turned himself into a proper dart player. Forget his walk on/on stage persona. Put three darts in his hand and he's now different gravy. One of the breakaway elite players for sure.

Peter Wright to win - No Bet.


Match 4) Gary Anderson 1/20 v Boulton/Laursen 11/1

Ando plays on the opening night as is the tradition for the Current and Defending World Champion. He takes on the prelim winner in what looks a straight forward match. But Gary being Gary might be slow out the blocks and could take a set to hit top form. Though I can't see past a straight sets win.

One to watch - No bet.


Day 1 - As is often the way, it's a case of 32 players getting a win, and in some cases falling over the line regardless of performance. Small pre match and in play stakes for me until the 2nd round where things should pick up. Just the one pre match bet of interest for the opening night - Jamie Lewis Over 3.5 x 180.

PDC World Championship Dark horse - Peter Wright @ 28/1
Ok, he's deemed a contender. How about Jelle Klaasen in the 4th quarter @ 100/1

Other Specials already posted elsewhere:
9 dart finish @ 8/13 hills, opened 4/6
Two or more 9 dart finishes @ 3/1 hills, opened 7/2
Over 2.5 x 170 checkouts @ 5/6 365
Over 625.5 x 180's @ 8/11 bway, opened 17/20 boyl
Bullseye - Winning tourney double @ 50/1 bway
Double 5 - Winning tourney double @ 18/1 boyles

As the great Hibster would say "All views and opinions welcome...
A tune for you HH - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LlMiFYfZIg


P.S. What started out as a jovial post about the forum drooling over Per's daughter kind of spiralled and I found myself getting sucked in and adding a bit of accrued knowledge about the players (though there's nothing really new). This is my own view and in no way am I looking to take over hibee's mantle. The great man himself will tell you there's so much more to putting together a professional preview than just sitting down and typing away. It takes time, effort and dedication (and sometimes an online dictionary) to post such bollocks. This is just a one off preview of sorts to get the ball rolling...Go on, give it try!!!

*BDO World Championship as everyone knows is the Number 1 Darts Tournament.

Good luck everyone. May your darts gods go with you.