Darts / David Croft / 16 May 2008 /

Darts commentator David Croft looks back at what's happened so far this year in the world of darts and talks us through the betting oportunities as the US Open and the Legends of Darts series get under way in the next few days

This weekend Darts fans can prepare for another 2 days of non stop sofa action with the PDC's US Open covered on Nuts TV and the BDO's Welsh Open getting an airing on Setanta Sports 2 on Sunday night, the first of Setanta's summer Darts coverage featuring 5 Grand Prix events and the Legends series.

I can see Sky plus machines being set up and down the country so that the fans don't miss out and I for one will following suit as I'll be intrigued to see what happens across the Atlantic whilst I'm on duty at Prestatyn for what is the 4th biggest open in Darts. This year the Welsh Open has 988 entries in the men's section alone.

As I write there's no market on Betfair for this event, which given it's competitive nature, is just as well for us punters. But the US Open does have a market, although you can forget James Wade from your predictions. The PDC number 3 pulled out of the event through illness and didn't travel. Shame for Wade who continues to go from strength to strength and has done nothing yet for me to stray from my prediction made before the first Premier League night that he could be the man to spring an upset. He's available at [6.4] for the Premier League, still a very good price for what is now one night's darts.

Phil Taylor ended the round robin tournament on top, and recovered spectacularly from a very poor start. The Power won only one of his first four matches, but once he settled into his rhythm and once he ditched the first version of his new darts, he looked very impressive indeed. His price of [1.46] is hardly good value though.

Back to this weekend and don't count out John Part, semi finalist last year - beaten by Taylor in the last four. Whilst he hasn't always produced his best form in the Premier League this year, this event is as near to home soil as he normally gets, which for John might make a lot of difference. His price of [4.0] puts him 3rd favourite behind Taylor and Raymond Van Barneveld who currently tops the order of merit but hasn't been at his 100% best this year. The rankings would look a little different if they weren't on a rolling two-year basis. Barney's previous form is keeping him at the top and he needs to start pulling his finger out.

For the past two years Barney has picked up the UK Open crown and amongst the top PDC stars on duty at the Reebok this year, I notice three names from the BDO that might cause a stir. Women's world champion Anastasia Dobromyslova has qualified and become the third woman to take part in the UK Open finals. Anastasia was one of 300 guests earlier in the year at the Café Royal for the London Darts Masters, the first ever Darts Black Tie event, won incidentally by Phil Taylor, who beat James Wade 7-4. They should have had her playing instead of watching. Anastasia has benefited hugely from practicing with her fiancé Tony Martin and some of the other guys on the BDO circuit and she'll take a few scalps in Bolton -mark my word. As will two former winners of the Dutch Open. Scott Waites and this year's champion Robert Thornton, who is enjoying a purple patch after winning the World Masters and will fear no one. At this rate I can see him attracting plenty of support for the world championship, and not letting his followers down.

Finally I notice that the market for the Legends of Darts series is up and running on Betfair and whilst I can understand the reason why Bob Anderson is a warm favourite at [2.62], don't count out Bobby George. Those who witnessed his recent exhibition with Phil Taylor in Reading will testify to the talent of the King of Bling who traded 180 after 180 with the Power and bossed him on the doubles as well.

Anderson starts as the man to beat given that he's played more competitive darts recently than others in the field, but Bobby will be there or thereabouts at the end and I for one can't wait for opening night and the re-match of the 1980 Embassy Final which on that occasion was won by Eric Bristow. For me Bobby gets his revenge at the Circus Tavern where there are a few tickets left. For those that can't get there in person it will be live on Setanta, It seems there's a long hot summer on the sofa ahead for all who follow the arrows.

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