WORLD MATCHPLAY 2009 DARTS BETTING TIPS

Unsurprisingly, Phil "The Power" Taylor is the odds-on favourite to win the 2009 World Matchplay in Blackpool. Taylor got his tournament off to a rollicking start as he pounded Robert Thornton 10-4 during yesterday's action. Taylor is listed at Blue Square with a price of 8/15 and he looks a likely candidate to secure his tenth title. He is 1/12 to defeat Kevin Painter during Wednesday's play, while Painter carries a hefty 6/1 should he manage a shock victory. The perennial second-favourite is the irrepressible Raymond van Barneveld and if you think he's got a shot at winning this one, you're looking at a solid 13/2. Keep in mind that Blue Square is also offering up each-way betting with 1/2 odds on the top two places. A Taylor/van Barneveld final would pay out with a minimum price of 5.07 should you back them both and Taylor wins- not bad value and you can mix it up a bit as well with some longer shots like James Wade, Mervyn King or Adrian Lewis. You'll find Wade listed at 7/1 to win the tournament with King and Lewis both sitting on a massive 25/1 price. You've got a nice payout if they even make the final. If you're looking to back solid players in the outright market, I recommend you get in there now, as the prices on the better players are only going to shorten. Other notables include Gary Anderson at 10/1, John Part at 50/1, Colin Lloyd (fresh from a bout with the swine flu) at 66/1 and Jelle Klaasen at 80/1. There's a few different markets on this tournament and you can choose from highest checkout, who will score the highest checkout, match correct score, total legs, 180s match bet and total 180s. Plenty of excitement and when you factor in the live betting- you have so many options to create a solid payday, that you'd be foolish not to bet.