32 of the best Darts players in the world assemble to Leicester for the 2024 PDC World Grand Prix, with the format being the most unusual of all the major tournaments, making it a must watch event, beginning on October 8 and ending on October 13.
It always shapes up to be an intriguing competition and we have you covered with a full preview down below.
2024 PDC World Grand Prix Betting Preview
The format of this tournament sees the 16 players qualify via the PDC Order Of Merit while a further 16 players are invited via PDC ProTour Qualifiers. It brings together the world’s best and in form players, making it a great contest and a must watch event. The tournament is also unusual because players are required to hit a double first before being eligible to score down from 501.
The field is stacked with quality, headlined by the two best players in the world, Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, with Littler, the teenage sensation, making his debut in this tournament in what will be must see TV, but he will have to get past Humphries first, who is the #1 in the world and is the best player in the world at the moment.
In terms of Australian interest, that will come via Damon Heta. 'The Heat' is now one of the better players in the PDC and his 2024 form has been relatively solid and he does tend to play very well in these big tournaments. He has a tricky start to the tournament, taking on Mick De Decker.
Round 1 Tips
This is the match of the opening round for me. Two former World Champions and both in ripping form via recent Players Championships events, most notably Gary Anderson, who in one recent event was averaging 105+ and just playing out of this world. His rejuvenation in form has been great to watch but Michael Smith has shown signs of life in recent weeks and is a class player, especially on doubles, when on song. He is the value for me.
TIP: Michael Smith to beat Gary Anderson ($2.25 via Ladbrokes)
Joe Cullen has been hit and miss the last couple of years, but he is a player who loves the big tournaments and is a great hitter of doubles, although that wasn't quite the case in a recent Players Championships event, which was won by Dobey. Dobey wasn't exactly flying re form but he hit some big checkouts when needed and that is his saving grace, but in terms of overall scoring, I have more faith in Cullen, especially under this format.
TIP: Joe Cullen to beat Chris Dobey ($2.67 via Neds)
Overall Winners
I think there are three key chances to win the title. As mentioned above, it's hard seeing Luke Humphries or Luke Littler not taking the prize so I'll start there, beginning with Humphries, who is the current world #1, the reigning world champion. Earlier in the year, he looked like he would just produce sustained brilliance and dominate, but his form hasn't been the same as 2023, and with Littler in the PDC, he will need to produce his best, but in these big tournaments, he can fire.
The narrative is clearly Luke Littler, who is making his debut in this tournament. He loves playing in these events and he loves putting on a show. He is the best nine dart hitter this year and his ability to both hit doubles and score at will is the best in the business, by some distance. But, I will say in recent tournaments he has played like a guy that just expects to get it done and when he doesn't get it done, he loses concentration and can play like a frustrated player, which is never good. But, he has the talent to blow this field away.
Gee you'd love to see Michael Van Gerwen win a big one again. He isn't the player he was several years ago but the ability is still there and on his day, he could just make an absolute mess of them and dominate the tournament. He is a six time winner of this tournament so he has to be given respect. He is a six time winner of this tournament so he has to be given respect.
Also Backing:
Luke Littler $4.60
Michael Van Gerwen $6.75
