The PDCs revamped Winmau World Masters starts on Thursday night and our expert has been looking at the first round matches and identified the best bet. Read on to check out our preview and outright best bet for the ITV4- televised major.
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Darts betting tips: First Round PDC World Masters 2025 Best Bet
Will the Shortened Format Lead to Upsets at the World Darts Masters?
- William O’Connor has won all three of his preliminary matches without dropping a set, showcasing strong consistency.
- His recent matches have seen him produce a high volume of 180s, indicating his excellent treble-hitting form.
- The best-of-three sets format rewards quick starters, and O’Connor has frequently made fast-scoring starts in recent events.
Our Best Bet
Stephen Bunting – To Win the Premier League | |
12/1 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Stephen Bunting is in top form, winning the Bahrain Masters and reaching the Dutch Masters final. With confidence high, he’s a strong contender for the Premier League title amid rivals' inconsistencies. | |
The World Darts Masters gets underway today at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, with the preliminary rounds determining which eight players will secure their place in the main draw. This year’s tournament marks a significant shift, as it now carries ranking status and features an expanded field, ensuring a highly competitive start to proceedings.
With a best-of-three sets format in place—where each set is played as best-of-three legs—there is little room for error. This structure increases the potential for surprises, as even the top-ranked players could find themselves under pressure if they start slowly. The preliminary round consists of players ranked 25-56 in the PDC Order of Merit, alongside qualifiers from the round-robin group stage, making it an unpredictable day of action.
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Given the shorter format, momentum will be crucial. A single break of throw could be decisive, and with high stakes on the line, players will need to settle into their rhythm quickly. With so much on the line, fans can expect a tense, high-quality day of darts where composure and accuracy will be key factors in securing victory.
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Best Bet for Today’s Action: William O’Connor – Most 180s in the Match vs Rob Cross
The standout betting opportunity for today lies in the 180s market, with William O’Connor looking a strong pick to outscore Rob Cross in maximums during their upcoming match. The Irishman has shown impressive form in recent matches, demonstrating his ability to find the treble 20 consistently—something that could prove decisive in this encounter.
O’Connor has already impressed in the preliminary rounds, securing victories over Lauby, de Graaf, and Veenstra without dropping a set. Throughout these matches, he has been relentless in his scoring, regularly stringing together high-scoring visits and maintaining a strong rhythm. His game is built on fluency, and when he finds his range early, his ability to hit 180s in clusters makes him a dangerous opponent.
While Rob Cross is undoubtedly a formidable player, he is not always known for his relentless power scoring in comparison to O’Connor’s ability to stack treble 20s. With the shorter format in play, it is crucial for players to start quickly, and given O’Connor’s recent form, he looks well-placed to take control in the 180s department. Even in matches where he has fallen short on results, his maximum-hitting ability has remained a constant, making him a strong candidate to lead this statistic against Cross.
With the need to apply early pressure and the likelihood of close sets, O’Connor’s aggressive scoring approach should see him edge this battle for the most 180s. Given his recent performances and scoring power, backing him in this market presents solid value..
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