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Taylor is the biggest price he's been in over a decade

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Darts commentator Stuart "Pikey" Pyke tells us why his money is on Taylor to Power his way to Grand Slam glory

It's incredible to think how far the sport of darts has come in the last three years and this golden era has given the players the chance to earn riches beyond their wildest dreams.

The PDC - backed by Sky Sports - has made household names of the likes of Taylor, Barneveld, Wade, Part et all......in 2008, over £3 million in prize money will be on the table!

Now, a new tournament, the return of ITV to big-time darts, £300,000 in the pot and £80,000 for the winner....that is the Grand Slam of Darts. For the first time in the UK since the acrimonious split, players from both sides of the great darting divide clash head-on.

It is nearly 15 years since a group of players, including Taylor, John Lowe, Jocky Wilson, Dennis Priestley, Bob Anderson and Eric Bristow bravely walked away from the British Darts Organisation. They eventually won their day in court and the two rival organisations have lived side by side, in an uneasy truce, ever since.

For nine days in Wolverhampton, 32 players from the PDC and BDO will do battle for the title of Grand Slam Champion. It is a punters' dream and with the tournament split into eight groups of four, over the best of only nine legs, expect the unexpected!

There is no doubt, the short format in the early stages will produce shocks and surprises, so it is worth studying the form of the top players - the men who are expected to contest the closing stages next weekend.

Despite suffering the worst year of his darting career, Phil Taylor remains the favourite, as he tries to rediscover his golden touch. He is at 4 to back, which are the longest pre-tournament odds for 'The Power' to win a major tournament in years.

It is over a year since Taylor last won a 'Major' TV knock-out event.

His long barren spell started with the dramatic loss to Barneveld in 'The Greatest Game' at the World Championship in January and it has gone from bad to worse. He was beaten by Barney at the UK Open, lost to Mark Dudbridge at the Las Vegas Desert Classic, went down to Terry Jenkins in Blackpool at the World Matchplay and was dumped out of the recent World Grand Prix in Dublin by youngster Adrian Gray.

But you never write off Phil Taylor....when he is down, he is at his most dangerous and he sees the Grand Slam as the perfect opportunity to produce a 'Power Surge' before he starts his bid to win the World Championship for a 14th time next month.

And he certainly fired out a message to the rest last weekend....Taylor's first competitive events since that 'Gray Day' in Dublin and he blitzed the field in Holland, winning both Players Championship events in Lisse - beating Chris Mason and Barney in the finals.

He looked ruthless, hungry and full of darting desire once again. Taylor's first match sees him take on the flamboyant Wayne Mardle. He beat 'Hawaii 501' on both days in Lisse and if you're looking for a guide, Mardle has never beaten Taylor on TV!

The PDC World Champion Raymond van Barneveld is at 4.7 to lift the trophy on Sunday week. He is in the self-styled 'Group of Death' taking on Chris Mason, Adrian Lewis and Dennis Priestley. There will be a lot of smart money on Barney, who has just been voted the world's most popular darts star, in an internet poll.

His opening match against Mason though, may be difficult to call. 'Mace the Ace' is colourful, controversial, enigmatic and unpredictable. Over nine legs, Mason could be a threat to Barney if he is in the zone. Mason has an army of fans but be warned - use your head, not your heart - it so often depends on which Chris Mason steps up the oche!

Not surprisingly, a lot of punters will be looking at 'the new kid on the block' James Wade, who has won the last two PDC 'Major' titles. His triumphs at the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix have catapulted him into the big time.

Wade backers should be smiling, because at 5.8 for the tournament, he offers good value. The way the draw is mapped out, he looks in good position to reach the latter stages of the GSOD and he gives punters the opportunity to lay back at shorter odds.

There is bound to be a lot of smart money on the back of current BDO No.1 Gary Anderson, who is in the form of his life. This year, he has already beaten the best of the PDC in two big TV events in Holland - winning the International Darts League, then trouncing Taylor to take the World Darts Trophy in September.

Backing Anderson at 8.4 in the overall market is one bet I'll be getting involved with!

Outside of that quartet, it may be worth having a look at the Dutch trio of Michael van Gerwen, Jelle Klaasen and Vincent van der Voort.

Van Gerwen has endured a nightmare since his switch to the PDC. He has struggled in the floor tournaments but relishes the big stage, the bright lights and the TV cameras.

Klaasen is in his best form since winning the Lakeside World Championship nearly two years ago. His first victory in a PDC event - in Ireland earlier this month - has seen the confidence flood back.

And Van der Voort has surprised many punters over the last six months. He has become Mr Consistency - regularly reaching the quarters, semis and finals of PDC Pro Tour events.

So, a punter's dream - 63 matches over nine days - for the second biggest winner's cheque in world darts.