Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld steps up to the oche in Bolton this weekend aiming to pull off a remarkable treble. The current "World Champion" can complete an astonishing hat-trick of victories in the tournament dubbed the "FA Cup of darts". Barney, victorious at the Reebok in 2006 and 2007, is the joint 7/1 second favourite (along with James Wade)to take the title back to Holland for the third year running.
Standing in the way of van Barneveld, Wade and the other professionals is odds-on favourite Phil Taylor. The Power, fresh from his outstanding performance in the latter stages of the Premier League is 8/11 to reclaim the title he won in 2003 and 2005.
2004 winner Roland Scholten is priced at 66/1 and along with Taylor and van Barneveld he represents the former tournament winners on Blue Square's special: Will We Have A New Winner?
Will the winner at Bolton this weekend be winning their first UK Open?
Yes6/4
No (Taylor, van Barneveld or Scholten to win)1/2
After his switch from the BDO, Robert Thornton makes his Blue Square UK Open debut. The current "World Champion" from the BDO sphere is quoted at 33/1 to make a winning start to life in the PDC.
The amateur players taking their chances with the PDC professionals make this tournament a unique event. Qualifiers from a number of pubs and clubs have reached Bolton through regional heats and will be hoping to pull off an almighty shock that rocks the sport to its foundations. Blue Square have priced up how many "qualifiers" will reach the prestigious third round stage:
How many "Holsten Qualifiers" will reach the 3rd Round?
Over 5.58/11
Under 5.5Evs
Blue Square will be operating their generous "Nine-Dart" cashback offer throughout the tournament - for further details and more prices visit: www.bluesq.com.