Irish bookmaker Paddy Power have revealed that it’s now an odds-on shot that the record for the highest number of 180s scored at Alexandra Palace will be smashed this year.
Ahead of the event, Paddy Power and the PDC announced Prostate Cancer UK as their official charity partners for this year’s Paddy Power World Darts Championship, as part of THE BIG 180 Campaign.
Paddy Power have pledged to donate £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK for every maximum scored during the 2023/24 World Darts Championship, with a whopping £217,000 raised after just five days of action.
Rachael Kane, spokesperson for Paddy Power said: “Heading into this afternoon’s session, we’re already 30 ahead compared to last year in terms of the number of 180s scored at this point in the tournament.
"So based on the current trajectory, (187 vs 217), it's' now an odds-on shot that the record of 901 for the highest number of 180s will be smashed during the Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
"Needless to say we’re delighted to report that our finance department are starting to feel a bit clammy!”
It has also been confirmed that since THE BIG 180 campaign was announced on November 30, a staggering 51,381 men have now completed the 30-second risk-checker questionnaire on Prostate Cancer UK’s website.
“Not only that, but our campaign appears to have gone global with Prostate Cancer UK revealing that significant numbers of people from outside of the UK are heading to their site to check their risk,” she explained.
During the same time-period in 2022, the charity registered 10,245 completions, meaning the numbers of men checking their risk of Prostate cancer is five times higher since the THE BIG 180 kicked off.
Of that number, 39,073 (76%) were found to be among those at a high risk.
THE BETTING
Following his dominant straight-sets victory over Keane Barry on Tuesday evening, Michael van Gerwen has been installed as the new tournament favourite with title sponsor Paddy Power.
The three-time World Champion averaged 98 in his demolition of Irish youngster Barry, converting a stunning 167 checkout midway through the contest.
“Our long-time favourite Luke Humphries was billed as the one to watch going into the tournament, but now he finds himself behind Michael van Gerwen in the betting with Paddy Power," added the Paddy Power spokesperson.
"But for now, it is ‘Flying Scotsman’ Gary Anderson (12/1) who has overtaken reigning champion Michael Smith (9/1) as the biggest threat to our coffers.
"Overall, the match results have gone the way of the punters so far.
"It’s a marathon, not a sprint. But, if Gary Anderson or any of the top players in the betting live up to their position, we could be in big trouble come the New Year!”
For a live and up-to-date tally on how much cash Paddy Power is on the hook for as part of THE BIG 180 campaign, check out the following link: https://news.paddypower.com/darts/2023/12/16/paddy-power-world-darts-championship-2024-the-big-180-campaign-ballon-dart-totaliser/
For the latest and most up-to-date odds on the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, click on the following link: https://www.paddypower.com/darts/pdc-world-championship?tab=outrights