Players Championship darts finals - Free tips, schedule, results and prize money
- Thomas Ridley
- 15 hours ago
The darts world is gearing towards its annual Ally Pally bonanza, but first all eyes are on Butlins at Minehead as this year’s Players Championship comes to a conclusion with finals weekend.
After months of tussling it out on a Tuesday night at a leisure centre in Wigan, the Players Championship is edging towards a conclusion.
The top 64 players in the Players Championship order of merit are involved, only the money won in Players Championship events this year has impacted the seedings for the draw, so we’re more likely to see big names clash in the earlier rounds.
The likes of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are involved, while a resurgent Gary Anderson is definitely one to watch.
You can find outright tips, individual match tips, schedule and details of prize money below.
Friday tips
Chris Dobey to beat Nathan Aspinall
Highest Luke Littler checkout over 100.5
Dimitri van den Bergh to beat Ross Smith
Chris Dobey vs Nathan Aspinall
One of the most intriguing matchups of the opening round, Chris Dobey has been in fine form in this year’s Players Championship and notched top seed, but it hasn’t got him the nicest of draws as he takes on 2023 World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall.
The Asp was out with an injury during the summer and hasn’t hit top form since returning, only scraping into this event and he also had an early exit in the World Grand Prix.
Dobey is known for his big scoring and fast starts, so this race to six format should suit Hollywood and we think he’ll make it through to the next round.
Luke Littler vs Rob Cross
Perhaps the most enticing of all the first round ties, it’s a replay of the semi-finals of last year’s world championship when world number five Luke Littler takes on world number four Rob Cross.
The Nuke was simply sensational on his way to winning the Grand Slam last week and the 17-year-old has catapulted in the world’s top five as a result.
Cross has been in good form this season and has been there or thereabouts throughout the year, so we think this one could swing either way.
One things for sure though, Littler to have a ton-plus checkout looks a good bet considering his recent form.
Ross Smith vs Dimitri van den Bergh
Dimitri van den Bergh returns to the scene of his UK Open triumph as he takes on Ross Smith.
Smith has enjoyed a good year at the oche, achieving his best major performance at the World Matchplay, where he reached the quarter-finals.
However, van den Bergh has form in big tournaments so we think that the Dream Maker will go through.
Outright tips
Stephen Bunting each-way- 25/1
Luke Humphries to win
While all the praise has been on Littler after last week’s Grand Slam heroics, Humphries is the beneficiary of a kinder draw.
Cool Hand has Gabriel Clemens in the first round, while Littler takes on 2018 world champion Cross.
Voltage is capable of beating The Nuke, which plays part in us swaying with Humphries but Cool Hand also won this tournament a year ago and has had a good year himself, winning the World Matchplay.
Therefore, with the better odds and kinder draw, we think Humphries is the best bet in the outrights.
Stephen Bunting each-way
Our each-way nod was initially going to go to Anderson, but his odds of 9/1 weren’t tempting enough.
Therefore, we’ve gone with the world number eight, Stephen Bunting.
The Bullet has had a brilliant year, winning The Masters and reaching the world’s top 10 for the first time ever and his odds of 25/1 make for good value.
Through the regular Players Championship, Bunting was second in the standings and he was very consistent, reaching six finals, but failed to win any of them.
The Bullet’s odds of 25/1 make an each-way flutter tempting and he has been in the mix during most events this season.
Players Championship finals schedule
Friday November 22- afternoon session (1245 GMT)
Round one- best of 11 legs
Gian van Veen v Scott Williams
Brendan Dolan v Martin Schindler
Ritchie Edhouse v Luke Woodhouse
James Wade v Stephen Burton
Ryan Searle v Jeffrey de Graaf
Martin Lukeman v Connor Scutt
Dave Chisnall v Joe Cullen
Andrew Gilding v Kevin Doets
William O'Connor v Niels Zonneveld
Krzysztof Ratajski v Madars Razma
Cameron Menzies v Jim Williams
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Callan Rydz
Ryan Joyce v Karel Sedlacek
Wesley Plaisier v Mensur Suljovic
Alan Soutar v Jermaine Wattimena
Wessel Nijman v Kim Huybrechts
Friday November 22- Evening session (1900 GMT)
Round one- Best of 11 legs
Daryl Gurney v Peter Wright
Gerwyn Price v Thibault Tricole
Chris Dobey v Nathan Aspinall
Michael van Gerwen v Ian White
Luke Littler v Rob Cross
Luke Humphries v Gabriel Clemens
Gary Anderson v Ryan Meikle
Damon Heta v Mervyn King
Jonny Clayton v Florian Hempel
Danny Noppert v James Hurrell
Raymond van Barneveld v Chris Landman
Stephen Bunting v Mario Vandenbogaerde
Mike De Decker v Richard Veenstra
Michael Smith v Dom Taylor
Josh Rock v Ricky Evans
Ross Smith v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Saturday November 23- Afternoon session (1245 GMT)
Second round x 16- best of 11 legs
Saturday November 23- Evening session (1900 GMT)
Third round x 8- best of 19 legs
Sunday November 24- Afternoon session (1245 GMT)
Quarter-finals- best of 19 legs
Sunday November 24- Evening session (1900 GMT)
Semi-finals- best of 21 legs
Final- best of 21 legs
Prize money
Winner- £120,000
Runner-up- £60,000
Semi-finals- £30,000
Quarter-finals- £20,000
Round three- £10,000
Round two- £6,500
Round one- £3,000
