Tag: PDC Home Tour

PDC Home Tour Championship Group Tonight

The PDC Home Tour reaches its conclusion this Friday as Gary Anderson, Nathan Aspinall, Jonny Clayton and Jelle Klaasen battle it out for the title.

The inaugural PDC Home Tour was designed to give darts fans some live-action while sport was on lockdown but has, in all fairness, worked surprisingly well. Although it is obviously no substitute for the real thing.

Speaking of which, the PDC have confirmed that the 2020 World Matchplay will take place from July 18-26. The prestigious 32-player event is set to be the first fully televised PDC tournament to take place following the suspension of events due to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic.

The PDC are working with the UK Government to see if the tournament is able to proceed with a crowd at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. Should this not be possible, then the tournament will be staged behind closed doors at an alternative venue. Watch this space.

Back to the PDC Home Tour and while it has been decent, let’s hoping this Friday’s Championships Groups is the last we see of this tourney for a while. It is, after all, seven weeks ago on April 17 that Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright threw the first dart and we have had pretty much onsecutive darts nights ever since.

All that comes to an end this weekend though and, after finally getting his dodgy Wi-Fi sorted, Gary ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Anderson took his second chance with both hands and is now second-favourite in the betting at 13/8 with bet365. On Wednesday he beat Jelle Klaasen, Dave Chisnall and Mike De Decker with 90 plus averages so his home oche form is strong right now.

The man to beat, according to bet365, is the 6/4 favourite Nathan Aspinall. 49-year-old Asp, who lost his 100% record to Rob Cross this week, looks a good call. But if these two are the most backed, then at 4/1 Jonny Clayton is an outside chance that I think is definitely worth taking. I see the appeal of the other two obviously, but Welsh key worker, who has been delivering food to the elderly and disadvantaged during lockdown, looks like good value.

Former BDO champion Jelle Klaasen is the outsider of the foursome at 13/2 which is understandable when you remember that he has only averaged 90 plus four times on his Home Tour route to the final.

Championship Group – Friday June 5

• Nathan Aspinall v Jelle Klaasen
• Gary Anderson v Jonny Clayton
• Jelle Klaasen v Jonny Clayton
• Nathan Aspinall v Gary Anderson
• Gary Anderson v Jelle Klaasen
• Jonny Clayton v Nathan Aspinall

QUICK GLANCE AT PDC HOME TOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS GROUP

Venue: Everywhere

Dates: 05.06.2020

Format: Best of 11 legs

Where To Watch: bet365 TV

When To Watch: (1930 GMT)

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PDC Home Tour Reaches Round Two

 

After 31 consecutive nights of darts, we have our names and fixtures for the second round play-off groups of the PDC Home Tour. World champion Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright will open proceedings on Tuesday 26 May when he takes on Ryan Murray.

Wright required a second chance at qualification in order to see him through after he failed to top his group a month ago. Now, the Scotsman has been grouped with Murphy plus Jelle Klaasen and Cristo Reyes.

There are eight groups from which the top two will go through to two semi-final groups which will be contested on June 3-4, before a four-man Championship Group final on Friday 5 June. Round Two will again be played in a round-robin format with all matches are played at the best of 11 legs. Group winners will be allocated a group determined by ranking order. Any players that cannot, for whatever reason, complete their fixtures will be eliminated.

One player who finally got his Wi-Fi up to the 2020 standard is two-time world champion Gary Anderson will go in Group Three alongside Luke Humphries, Jamie Lewis and Nick Kenny. Anderson amused plenty of people on social media when he revealed his crappy Wi-Fi would stop him competing on the PDC’s Home Tour. Thankfully, Anderson has now changed internet provider and the old boy made it through and will now compete in the next round.

Anderson will be joined there by World Matchplay champion Rob Cross who will play Ryan Searle, Luke Woodhouse and Daniel Larsson in Group Five. While there’s no Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith, Daryl Gurney or Gerwyn Price, who blew another chance at qualifying after losing his second chance games. Dave Chisnall, Nathan Aspinall will also both be in competition this week.

Also last week, in a separate PDC NHS charity event called the Darts At Home: Sportsman Special, four professionals from other sports, that included golfer Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston and snooker star Mark Selby, took part in a mini tourney.

Viewers on the PDC’s YouTube channel were able to see Nottinghamshire cricketer Alex Hales hit an eight darter, admittedly in a game of 301, but still lose to out to boxer Dave Allen who won all of his matches to become the champion of the play at home games.

Group One: Tuesday, May 26

• Peter Wright v Ryan Murray
• Cristo Reyes v Jelle Klaasen
• Ryan Murray v Jelle Klaasen
• Peter Wright v Cristo Reye
• Cristo Reyes v Ryan Murray
• Jelle Klaasen v Peter Wright

To win the group, bet365 have unsurprisingly installed the world champion as the ½ favourite but I can see an upset occurring in this group, most likely to come from 9/2 Jelle Klaasen. Cristo Reyes is always dangerous which could tempt some to take the 11/2 on his head, while Ryan Murphy has been priced at 8/1 to top the group on Tuesday night.

Group Two: Wednesday, May 27

• Stephen Bunting v Mike De Decker
• Glen Durrant v Alan Tabern
• Mike De Decker v Alan Tabern
• Stephen Bunting v Glen Durrant
• Glen Durrant v Mike De Decker
• Alan Tabern v Stephen Bunting

As for Wednesday’s Group Two, Glen ‘Duzza’ Durrant is the clear favourite according to bet365 and we’re not going to argue with that conclusion. Even though games played in living rooms, sheds or wherever are not the same as live arena darts, clearly Duzza should top this group even taking into account the likes 12/5 shot Stephen Bunting who managed a draw against Rob Cross as the Liverpudlian local hero in the Darts Premier League in what seems like a lifetime ago. Mike DeDecker and Alan Tabern have been priced at 11/2 and 10/1 respectively.

Group Three: Thursday, May 28

• Gary Anderson v Nick Kenny
• Luke Humphries v Jamie Lewis
• Nick Kenny v Jamie Lewis
• Gary Anderson v Luke Humphries
• Luke Humphries v Nick Kenny
• Jamie Lewis v Gary Anderson

The Flying Scotsman is back for Group Three having fixed his internet connection issues at his not so Scottish home in the Somerset countryside. Despite being landed with a tough group that includes Luke Humphries (13/5) and Jamie Lewis (11/2), bet365 have priced Anderson as the odds on favourite to win the group at 4/6. 11/1 hopeful Nicky Kenny will also play in this group.

Group Four: Friday, May 29

• Dave Chisnall v Damon Heta
• Darren Webster v Geert Nentjes
• Damon Heta v Geert Nentjes
• Dave Chisnall v Darren Webster
• Darren Webster v Damon Heta
• Geert Nentjes v Dave Chisnall

As the bet365 5/6 group favourite, Chizzy takes sort of centre stage next Friday in a group where he is expected to be challenged by the likes of Damon Heta, who has a 12/5 price on his head, and Darren Webster, who has been priced up at 9/2. Geert Nenties is the 10/1 outsider of the group that looks like it should be Chizzie’s to lose.

Group Five: Saturday, May 30

• Rob Cross v Daniel Larsson
• Ryan Searle v Luke Woodhouse
• Daniel Larsson v Luke Woodhouse
• Rob Cross v Ryan Searle
• Ryan Searle v Daniel Larsson
• Luke Woodhouse v Rob Cross

2018 world darts champion, Rob Cross is the 10/11 group favourite for Group Five. Voltage is joined in the group by Ryan Searle, with betting odds of 11/4, Luke Woodhouse, who is capable of throwing a surprise or two and who bet365 regard as a 16/5 chance, plus 10/1 hopeful Daniel Larsson.

Group Six: Sunday, May 31

• Joe Cullen v Martijn Kleermaker
• Chris Dobey v Jeff Smith
• Martijn Kleermaker v Jeff Smith
• Joe Cullen v Chris Dobey
• Chris Dobey v Martijn Kleermaker
• Jeff Smith v Joe Cullen

Sunday sees Group Six start and finish and pits Chris Dobey against Joe Cullen, who have been priced up as 23/20 and 7/4 respectively. Martijn Kleermaker and Jeff Smith make up the numbers and have both been priced up at 6’s by bet365 but the battle for qualification should be between the PDC pair The Rockstar and Hollywood.

Group Seven: Monday, June 1

• Nathan Aspinall v Jesús Noguera
• Jamie Hughes v Jose De Sousa
• Jesús Noguera v Jose De Sousa
• Nathan Aspinall v Jamie Hughes
• Jamie Hughes v Jesús Noguera
• Jose De Sousa v Nathan Aspinall

Your favourite, and we must say a really rather clear favourite, for Group Seven is Nathan Aspinall. The Asp has been priced up by bet365 at an odds on 8/11 and should top this group or at the very least qualify with the minimum of fuss. Jose De Sousa is the 5/2 second-favorite, ahead of Jamie Hughes (4/1) and Jesus Noguera (18/1).

Group Eight: Tuesday, June 2

• Jonny Clayton v Scott Waites
• Max Hopp v Carl Wilkinson
• Scott Waites v Carl Wilkinson
• Jonny Clayton v Max Hopp
• Max Hopp v Scott Waites
• Carl Wilkinson v Jonny Clayton

Jonny Clayton is the favourite for Group Eight at 7/5, a few points higher than German chucker Max Hopp who is worth 11/5. While Hopp is dangerous, Clayton should be able to see this one out given that BDO start Scott Waites and Carl Wilkinson finish off the group. Waites has been chalked up at 13/5, while Wilkinson can be picked up at 8/1.

QUICK GLANCE AT PDC HOME TOUR ROUND TWO

Venue: Every bloody where

Dates: 26.05.2020 – 02.06.2020

Format: Best of 11

Current Champion: N/A

Where To Watch: bet365 TV

When To Watch: (1900 GMT)

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Footballers To Play Darts At Home Special On Sunday

Sunday, May 10 sees a special edition of Darts At Home as four professional footballers, including two from the Premier League, have agreed to take part in some home games in order to raise money for the NHS. Leicester City’s James Maddison, West Ham United’s Declan Rice, both pictured above, will be joined by Charlie Austin of Championship side West Bromwich Albion and Paul Gallagher of Preston North End, also from the Championship.

All of the action, which is based on the PDC’s popular Darts At Home games will be broadcast live on the PDC’s YouTube channel with commentary from darts commentator Dan Dawson complete with on-screen graphics.

The competition will be played in a league format with players taking on each other while playing remotely through live video broadcasts. Each player will play each other once in a best-of-three format. All games start at 301 and end on a double or bullseye. Two points will be awarded for a win and the player listed on the left of the fixtures listed below will throw first in odd-numbered legs.

During the games, which get started at 14.00 BST, fans will be able to donate vital funds to NHS charities.

Darts At Home: Footballers Special Fixtures

Sunday, May 10

• James Maddison v Declan Rice
• Paul Gallagher v Charlie Austin
• Declan Rice v Charlie Austin
• James Maddison v Paul Gallagher
• Paul Gallagher v Declan Rice
• Charlie Austin v James Maddison

Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor Wins NHS Charity Match

Elsewhere, 16 times world champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor beat 2-time ladies world champion Mikuru Suzuki 7-5 another online charity darts match. The pair raised £6,800 for Heroes, a charity that helps fund the NHS with £1000 put into the pot for every 180 hit during the match. The greatest darter of all time hit six of them compared to Suzuki’s four.

Last month, Taylor lost to Raymond van Barneveld, but in hitting 15 maximums between them, the retired rivals helped boost the NHS’s battle against the Covid-19 crisis by raising the sum of £15,000.

PDC Home Tour Continues

With sport still on lockdown, the PDC have organised some online darts action to help get fans through their boredom with the PDC’s first-ever home staged event. Afterall, it has now been almost two months since the last ranking tournament took place on March 15.

However, the PDC Home Tour continues to give fans and bettors something to cling on to. For those unaware of how it all works, all Tour Cardholders have been invited to take part. Gary Anderson, Daryl Gurney and Michael van Gerwen all initially declined, while Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright and Gerwyn ‘The Iceman’ Price were both eliminated over the first two nights.

For both Gurney and Anderson, slow internet was the issue while MVG is using his time off to help out with a newborn. Gary Anderson has since fixed this issue and will now take part in the PDC’s Home Tour in one of the later dates.

Match nights pit four players against each other, chucking at their home oches to bank points in a round-robin league format that will be streamed via their webcams for bettors at bet365 who have wagered at least £1 in the previous 24 hours to watch live.

GROUP 14: THURSDAY, APRIL 30

• Chris Dobey 5-2 Ciaran Teehan
• Ron Meulenkamp 5-4 Kai Fan Leung
• Ciaran Teehan 5-1 Kai Fan Leung
• Chris Dobey 5-1 Ron Meulenjamp
• Ron Meulenkamp 5-1 Ciaran Teehan
• Kai Fan Leung 5-4 Chris Dobey

Qualified: Chris Dobey

GROUP 15: FRIDAY, MAY 1

• Darren Webster 5-4 Bradley Brooks
• Scott Baker 5-4 Andy Hamilton
• Bradley Brooks 3-5 Andy Hamilton
• Darren Webster 5-2 Scott Baker
• Scott Baker 1-5 Bradley Brooks
• Andy Hamilton 3-5 Darren Webster

Qualified: Darren Webster

GROUP 16: SATURDAY, MAY 2

• Ricky Evans 2-5 Martin Atkins
• Christian Bunse 1-5 Jeff Smith
• Martin Atkins 5-4 Jeff Smith
• Ricky Evans 5-3 Christian Bunse
• Christian Bunse 5-2 Martin Atkins
• Jeff Smith 5-4 Ricky Evans

Qualified: Jeff Smith

GROUP 17: SUNDAY, MAY 3

• John Henderson 5-4 Krzysztof Kciuk
• Damon Heta 5-0 Gary Blades
• Krzysztof Kciuk 5-3 Gary Blades
• John Henderson 3-5 Damon Heta
• Damon Heta 3-5 Krzysztof Kciuk
• Gary Blades 1-5 John Henderson

Qualified: Damon Heta

GROUP 18: MONDAY, MAY 4

• Stephen Bunting 5-4 Harald Leitinger
• Kim Huybrechts 5-2 Nathan Derry
• Harald Leitinger 5-0 Nathan Derry
• Stephen Bunting 5-1 Kim Huybrechts
• Kim Huybrechts 5-1 Harald Leitinger
• Nathan Derry 1-5 Stephen Bunting

Qualified: Stephen Bunting

GROUP 19: TUESDAY, MAY 5

• Glen Durrant 5-1 Vincent van der Meer
• Justin Pipe 5-1 Maik Kuivenhoven
• Vincent van der Meer 1-5 Maik Kuivenhoven
• Glen Durrant 5-3 Justin Pipe
• Justin Pipe 5-2 Vincent van der Meer
• Maik Kuivenhoven 3-5 Glen Durrant

Qualified: Glen Durrant

GROUP 20: WEDNESDAY, MAY 6

*Jermaine Wattimena replaced Jeffrey de Zwaan

• Joe Cullen 5-4 Ryan Murray
• *Jermaine Wattimena 2-5 John Michael
• Ryan Murray 5-3 John Michael
• Joe Cullen 4-5 Jermaine Wattimena
• Jermaine Wattimena 1-5 Ryan Murray
• John Michael 3-5 Joe Cullen

Qualified: Ryan Murray

GROUP 21: THURSDAY, MAY 7

* Karel Sedlacek replaces Derk Telnekes

• Rob Cross 5-2 William Borland
• Dimitri Van den Bergh 5-1 Karel Sedlacek
• William Borland 0-5 Karel Sedlacek
• Rob Cross 5-4 Dimitri Van den Bergh
• Dimitri Van den Bergh 3-5 William Borland
• Karel Sedlacek 4-5 Rob Cross

Qualified: Rob Cross

UPCOMING FIXTURES

GROUP 22: FRIDAY, MAY 8

• Ian White v Jesus Noguera
• Danny Noppert v James Wilson
• Jesus Noguera v James Wilson
• Ian White v Danny Noppert
• Danny Noppert v Jesus Noguera
• James Wilson v Ian White

GROUP 23: SATURDAY, MAY 9

• Kyle Anderson v Daniel Larsson
• Martin Schindler v Dirk van Duijvenbode
• Daniel Larsson v Dirk van Duijvenbode
• Kyle Anderson v Martin Schindler
• Martin Schindler v Daniel Larsson
• Dirk van Duijvenbode v Kyle Anderson

GROUP 24: SUNDAY, MAY 10

• Krzysztof Ratajski v Toni Alcinas
• Jamie Hughes v Darius Labanauskas
• Toni Alcinas v Darius Labanauskas
• Krzysztof Ratajski v Jamie Hughes
• Jamie Hughes v Toni Alcinas
• Darius Labanauskas v Krzysztof Ratajski

GROUP 25 ONWARDS YET TO BE ANNOUNCED

QUICK GLANCE AT PDC HOME TOUR

Venue: Everywhere

Dates: Every day

Format: Best of 9

Where To Watch: bet365

When To Watch: (1930 GMT)

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