Kambi’s SVP Trading, Simon Noy, talks to SBC about the launch of Odds Feed+ and the enhanced flexibility it offers operators seeking to enhance their existing sportsbook
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Kambi’s Darts Lead, Barry Sayers, previews the biggest party in sport as Luke Humphries looks to cap off an incredible season by becoming a world champion
Q: What makes darts an important and unique sport from a betting perspective?
A: Darts is a fast and simple sport with plenty of betting opportunities, including many instant bets like leg winner, 180 in leg and leg checkout which keep bettors engaged. Match odds are consistently popular, and even new bettors will have their favourites as the buzz around darts continues to grow. Combinations are also some of the most popular offers, including King of Oche (player to win match, highest checkout and most 180s).
Q: Who are the favourites this year?
A: This year’s tournament is building up to most the exciting and open tournament for very long time, with lots of names rightfully in the conversation. Luke Humphries is the favourite following his success in the Grand Slam, which makes it two major wins this year – becoming a world champion would cap off an incredible season for “Cool Hand Luke”.
Following him we have Michael Van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price. Both men have had success at Alexandra Palace and plenty of supporters will be backing them to lift the trophy come January. All three are closely matched and are all single digit prices to lift the Trophy. Out of the three players I would side with Humphries to lift his first PDC World Championship – this heavy 180 hitter is growing in confidence since his World Grand Prix success in October and has all attributes to find success again here.
Q: Are there many underdogs capable of causing an upset?
A: With the gap to the top three closing a number of players will fancy their chances, including Netherlands youngster Gian Van Veen, who won his tour card in January has been backed from 251.00/+25000 down to 41.00/+4000 and currently sits 49th in the world. I believe his current price has him about right, but he’s a player that the big names want to avoid in the early rounds.
Rob Cross, the 2018 Champion has been coming back to form this year with two World Series titles in August and has just reached the Grand Slam final averaging 103 in the final match.
He looks back to his best and this former world champion could be peaking at the right time.
At just 16 years of age, Luke Littler has already made a name for himself and is a player most will want to avoid in the early rounds. Lifting the trophy may be beyond him at this stage of his career, but he has the capacity to cause a few shocks if nerves don’t get the better of him. Josh Rock, another relative youngster at 22 is still learning his game on the PDC circuit, but did reach the quarter finals of the Grand Slam of Darts as the highlight of a solid year and is definitely one to watch.
Gary Anderson has been frequently written off by Darts fans in recent years, but in 2023 he has come back to form with an incredible season having won 3 Players Championships in 2023 and has the highest seasonal average. This two-time world champion will be high on list to make it a hattrick of titles.
