Schedule & Betting Tips for Day 1 at the PDC World Champs

The PDC World Darts Championships kick off today with last year's champion Luke Littler and former champion Michael Smith the two headline names on day one. 

After another sensational year for Littler, he opens as the 10/11 betting favourite to be the King of Alexandra Palace once again this year. 

He is followed by fierce rival Luke Humphries, who is a 5/1 second-favourite to win the tournament at the time of publishing.

Check out the order of play for day one here and check out our 6/4 betting tip for Thursday's action. 

PDC World Championships Day One Schedule & Odds to Win Match

7pm: Kim Huybrechts vs Arno Merk
Huybrechts: 2/5
Merk: 9/4

8pm: Michael Smith vs Lisa Ashton
Smith: 1/16
Ashton: 10/1

9pm: Luke Littler vs Darius Labanauskas
Littler: 1/33
Labanauskas: 25/1

10pm: Madars Razma vs Jamai van den Herik
Razma: 8/13
van den Herik: 6/4

PDC World Darts Championships Day One Betting Tips

Leg 1: Michael Smith v Lisa Ashton – Michael Smith Win & Most 180s

 Michael Smith begins his bid for a second world title with a round one clash against Lisa Ashton on Thursday night. While Bully Boy has suffered a severe drop-off in form since triumphing at Alexandra Palace three years ago, his superior class should tell against the Lancashire Rose.

Smith showed flashes of his old self when qualifying for last month’s Grand Slam of Darts before going on to reach the quarter-finals, a run that should have helped restore some confidence.

We can side with the 2023 world champion to win and hit the most 180s at a best price of 4/11 with Boylesports – an attractive boost compared to his match win price of 1/16.

Smith remains one of the best 180 hitters in the world, something he demonstrated when hitting the most maximums during his group stage defeat to Luke Humphries at last month’s Grand Slam of Darts.

Leg 2: Luke Littler v Darius Labanauskas – Luke Littler Win, Most 180s & Highest Checkout

With Luke Littler the pre-tournament favourite at best odds of 10/11, it’s no surprise to see him priced at 1/33 to come through his round one clash with Darius Labanauskas on Thursday night.

However, we can bolster the odds by including Littler to hit the most 180s as well as the highest checkout.

Littler is renowned for being a prolific 180 hitter, while his ability to produce show-stopping finishes is a key part of his extensive armoury. Both traits should be on display on Thursday night, with The Nuke keen to make an early statement of intent.

This combination landed in each of Littler’s opening round victories across his previous two appearances at the World Darts Championship, and the teenage sensation looks well placed to repeat the feat against the Lithuanian.

Leg 3: Madars Razma v Jamai van den Herik – Jamai van den Herik Most 180s

While Madars Razma is the deserved favourite coming into this clash with Jamai van den Herik on Thursday night, the Latvian looks worth opposing in the most 180s market.

Razzmatazz is known for working his way down the board by targeting the treble 19 bed, which makes the opportunity to support van den Herik to hit the most maximums an attractive one.

Moreover, the young Dutchman has been hitting 180s with impressive consistency throughout 2025, racking up an excellent total of 451 to date. The case is further strengthened by the fact that only 15 players have hit more maximums than van den Herik on the PDC circuit since the turn of the year.

The treble pays a best price of 8/5 with Boyle Sports at the time of publishing.

Get 50/1 Odds on Littler to beat Labanauskas on Day 1

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Littler returns to Alexandra Palace as defending champion and world number one after an incredible season and is heavily favoured to progress in what is expected to be a straightforward first-round tie.

Labanauskas, ranked outside the top tier and with recent form struggles, would be a major upset if he were to prevail.

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Who is the betting favourite to win the PDC World Darts Championships?

Unsuprisingly, Luke Littler is the strong 10/11 favourite to regain his PDC World Darts Championship crown ahead of Thursday's opening session.

Luke Humphries is his closest competitor in the betting at 5/1, followed by the likes of Josh Rock, Gian van Veen, and Gerwyn Price. 

To compare odds from over 25 of the UK's biggest bookmakers on the PDC World Darts Championships, please visit our dedicated tournament page HERE.