Darts Handicap Betting Explained

Darts seems to be becoming more popular throughout the years, with players such as Luke Littler and Luke Humphieres lighting up the global stage. Darts is also one of the most common sports for bettors to place wagers on, with interesting markets such as most 180s, bullseye finishes, and the highest checkouts being available. One such darts betting market that can be used is the handicap betting format, which is seen in darts and a multitude of other sports as well. The handicap betting system allows for one player to gain a theoretical advantage over their opponent before the fixture has even begun!

Here at OddsMonkey, we are going to look through all things handicap betting in darts, different examples of darts handicap betting and how it compares to handicap betting throughout different sports in the betting industry.

What Is Handicap Betting In Darts? 

The darts handicap betting system is quite similar to how it works in other sports betting, as it will give one side or player a theoretical headstart compared to their opponent. For example, if one side has a lead of a couple of legs, this means the side can still win in terms of the bet even if they lose in real life. This makes handicap betting perfect for those games when a heavy favourite comes up against an underdog. Despite the actual darts matchup being heavily outweighed, by using the handicap betting system, we can even the odds and create a betting opportunity by giving one player a headstart. The darts handicap betting system is not exclusive to darts, as handicap betting is used across different sports, which we explain throughout our matched betting blog.

For those darts matches where a short-priced favourite comes up against a clear underdog, the handicap betting system can be extremely useful, as you can even the odds by giving the underdog a headstart compared to their competitors. Whilst darts handicap betting is becoming more popular, so is traditional darts betting! If you are interested in learning more about darts betting, we have our own detailed darts matched betting guide available for users, along with a range of sports betting pages on site. Here, we are going to show some real examples of handicap betting throughout the sport of darts:

We are using an example from the Darts World Cup; however, handicap betting is also available throughout other popular darts competitions such as the Darts Premier League and the PDC World Championships.

Now that we have reviewed the handicap betting system for darts, we are going to look at some real examples of darts handicap bets and the different forms they can take.

How Do Darts Handicap Bets Work?

When trying to understand how handicap bets work, there are a couple of different ways they can operate, but the same principles are always in play. Either one side will have points added or subtracted from their total

There are a couple of ways to think about handicap bets and how they work; these two ways can help you visualise handicap bets and help your understanding of how these bets are applied:

• Points are adjusted before the game begins: For example, let’s say Luke Litter is playing against Rob Cross, and to create a handicap bet, Luke Litter starts at -2 legs. This means that theoretically the game begins as -2-0 to Rob Cross, as Luke Litter will begin the game 2 legs down.
• Points are adjusted after the game begins – Using a similar example, we will use the same match and handicap, and a Premier League match-up ends 6-5 to Luke Litter. If you had placed a handicap at -2 for Luke Litter, this bet would not come in as 2 legs would be subtracted from Littler, meaning the match would end up at 5-4 to Rob Cross.

As dart matchups cannot end in a draw, there are only two outcomes which can occur throughout these bets, which are either a win or a loss. Here is a quick table to show how different results of the match would affect handicap bets.

As a tie is not possible, there is no option to place draw handicap bets on darts, but if you are looking for sports where you can place these types of bets, then check out our football handicap betting explained guide, which goes through draw handicap bets.

It is also important to remember that there are different types of handicap bets available, such as set handicap bets, giving players advantages when it comes to sets instead of legs.

Darts Handicap Betting Examples

Darts handicap betting can come in handy in plenty of different ways, so we are going to go through some of the most popular ways that you can place these unique bets, and what different match results will affect handicaps.

Using this example from Bet365, we can see that handicap bets are available for all different types of dart matchups, as this is a game in the MODUS Super Series. As we can see by the odds here, it is a fairly even match-up between these two players. However, by giving players a leg advantage, they will have a better chance of winning compared to their competitors, therefore awarding the bettor with potentially greater odds!

Unlike what we have seen in other examples, there are no options to place 3-way handicap betting options, as dart matches cannot end in a draw. This means bettors only have the option to bet on one of the two players winning.

As you can see in the example above, Bet365 is offering plenty of different handicap options, whether you are looking to bet on one of the players having an advantage or disadvantage. As shown by the example, you can see clearly how the different betting options affect the betting odds.

Using this example, let’s go through some of the different results of the match and what bet would be successful throughout these different options.

As there is no clear favourite in this matchup, by using handicap betting, we can create better odds out of these situations, therefore ensuring that value can be found throughout different bets. Handicap betting can be a technique that is used in value betting, as it allows bettors to find more favourable odds on different betting selections. However, this obviously affects how likely it is for a bet to come in, so we recommend doing research on the matchup before using handicap betting.

Darts Set Handicap Betting 

Betting on legs is not the only way to place dart handicap bets, with set betting also being available. For example, in the Darts Premier League, the player first to 6 sets will win the match, so it is also possible for players to get a head start when it comes to sets.

To put this into an example, let’s use a Premier League matchup of Van Gerwin against Humphries, and Van Gerwin has a handicap of +1.5. This would mean that if Luke Humphries won the game 6-5, the bet would still be successful as Van Gerwin would be awarded the extra +1.5, meaning the game would theoretically end 7.5-6 to Van Gerwin.

On the other hand, Luke Humphries would have to win the game by two or more sets to ensure that it covers the handicap.

How To Use The Darts Handicap 

The handicap betting system is becoming more and more popular throughout the darts betting market and other sports. It can be used throughout a range of different dart games, as there are usually mismatches throughout events such as the PDC World Championship. Whilst handicap betting is not something that we use in matched betting, it can be extremely handy for those looking to gain extra value from their darts betting.

Here are some tips that we would recommend taking into account before placing any dart handicap bets:

1. Research The Matchups – Darts is a sport where certain players thrive in specific situations. Understanding different players and how they cope with pressure can help you make the most of your darts handicap bets. Researching players and their recent performances is important not only for handicap betting but also for other forms of sports betting.
2. Understanding Different Formats – Darts is full of plenty of different formats, whether it be classic 501 or double in double out, it is essential to understand these formats and how players perform in them. 
3. Don’t Be Afraid To Back The Favourite – Darts is one of those sports where games can be over relatively quickly, with one player dominating the other. In competitions such as the PDC World Championship, lower-ranked players will play against the top players. We can use the handicap betting system to give the lower-ranked player a head start, creating better odds for the favourite.

Darts Handicap Vs Other Handicaps

Darts handicap betting is quite unique and fascinating, as darts features plenty of different tournaments: ones that are played individually, ones that involve teams, and ones that involve lower-ranked players. This means darts handicap betting can be used in a variety of different ways, but as darts does not allow for draws, only 2-way handicap bets can be placed.

Other versions of handicap are available, not only for different sports, but also for Asian handicap, which we discuss in detail in our Asian handicap betting guide.

Here, we are going to take a quick look at the positives and negatives of handicap betting throughout darts, ensuring you know what to take into account before you place any handicap bets.

✅As mismatches are frequent throughout tournaments like the PDC World Championships, handicap bets can be used to even the odds.

✅Handicap bets can offer better odds compared to other traditional betting forms by requiring players to win by more or lose by fewer points

✅No draws in darts, meaning there are only two outcomes available

❌More complicated compared to other betting strategies

❌Requires plenty of research on players and matchups

Darts Handicap FAQs 

As handicap betting can be quite confusing, we are going to look through some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to the darts handicap.

What Is The Difference Between Darts Handicap Betting and Darts Asian Handicap Betting? 

Asian handicap betting is traditionally used throughout football betting, as it does not allow for draws. However, in darts, draws cannot occur as one of the players has to win. Similar to Asian handicap betting, which uses decimal numbers, a draw is not possible. This means that the asian handicap and traditional handicap are essentially the same thing in darts, as neither includes the possibility of a draw in play.

Where Can I Find Darts Handicap Bets?

Just like other betting options, it is not too hard to find handicap bets, but you need to make sure you are looking at the right bookmakers, as some bookmakers do not offer handicap bets. Here, we are going to use the example of Bet365, as you first must find the ‘Darts’ category, which can be seen on the left-hand side of the home screen.

Then, once you have entered the darts section, you can navigate through the available markets. At Bet365, you can find the different handicap betting options, such as 2-way handicaps and 180 handicaps!

Why Should I Use The Darts Handicap Betting System? 

The handicap betting system is one of the most popular betting markets throughout darts, and it is mainly popular due to the fact that darts usually features a heavy favourite and a clear underdog. This usually happens in matchups throughout the PDC World Championships, as top-seeded players come up against unranked and lower-seeded players. In these competitions, the darts handicap betting format can provide more variation in the odds as players are given hypothetical advantages or disadvantages in play.

Whether you are looking to place a bet on the underdog or the favourite, handicap bets can alter the odds and allow for betting opportunities, as you can bet on the favourite to win by a huge margin, or for the underdog to have a head start.