Darts / David Croft / 01 July 2009 / Leave a comment

The locals may prefer a lie-in but the considerable prize money on offer has drawn the PDC's finest across the Atlantic for the Las Vegas Desert Classic. David Croft can't wait...

It's all eyes on Vegas this week for the eighth running of the PDC's Desert Classic, a top idea for a tournament but one that still hasn't caught on with the locals I'm afraid. The 11am start time in the Mandalay Bay resort doesn't help as most of Vegas is still asleep at that time of the morning, and it doesn't look good back here in the UK watching a half empty hall devoid of atmosphere. This is as far removed from the packed halls of the Premier League as the PDC can get.

However, the £30,000 winners cheque and the £6000 Players Championship event that precedes the Desert Classic has persuaded the cream of the PDC talent to trek over to Nevada in search of riches.

Congratulations should go to Ronnie Baxter who took that Players Championship, setting him up nicely for a crack at a major title. He can be backed at [30.0] with Betfair, decent value for a man in good form. He beat Phil Taylor in the final by the way, and historians amongst you will note that the two players contested the very first Desert Classic final back in 2002.

That's not something that will happen this year though, as both Taylor and Baxter appear in the top half of the draw and will meet in the semi's should they get that far.

Taylor, once again is the man to stop. His recent UK Open win was very impressive, proving that when he's been wounded - as The Power was when beaten by Mervyn King at the Premier League finals nights - he comes back fighting harder than ever.

The ridiculously short price of [1.68] is no surprise to me though. Taylor has won this event four times since 2002 and, like Bruce Springsteen at Hyde Park last Sunday, shows no sign of letting his advancing years stop him from putting on a world class show. But this will be no formality for the world number one. The format of best of 11 legs in the early rounds leaves the door open for an upset or two and Taylor may be up against his old foe Dennis Priestly in the round two should he beat Jamie Cavern in the opener.

Then, providing it goes to form Gary Anderson could be lying in wait. Despite still working his way up to the top 16, Anderson booked his place in the Classic with victory in the qualifying rounds and I hope his reward is a clash with The Power. The two often put on matches of the highest order and Anderson need the motivation of a big match to produce his best darts.

The Scotsman is currently trading at [13.0], decent value if he pulls off the upset and should he beat Taylor in the last eight I can easily see him going all the way from their.

Second favourite for the title is Hampshire's James Wade at [8.4]. Now Wade started the year in a bad place on the oche. His form was dipping and the boo boys were out to get him. But he's knuckled down well and is now producing some quality darts. His Premier League title was well deserved and he must be seen as a serious challenger to Taylor in this event. The fact that he can get all the way to the final without having to play the world number one is a bonus too, a bonus that Betfair customers could seize on.

At [4.5] to reach the final (same price to win without Taylor), Wade looks standout value to me, as does the [12.0] on Mervyn King to reach Sunday's final as well. King and Wade are drawn to meet in the semis.

Unless of course, Barney stands in their way, or Mark Walsh who at [29.0] is a cracking outside bet. Walsh, who can be backed at [13.0] to reach the final has won two events on the PDC tour this year, making it six in total. Although he hasn't been past the second round in Las Vegas in two previous visits, his form in 2009 suggests that this could be a much better year in what will be a close and hugely competitive event. The Las Vegas Desert Classic may not generate much excitement in the 'City of Sin' but it will occupy my evenings for the next five nights, make no mistake.