PDC Paddy World Darts Championship Round One, Day One Overview

Jump in for the PDC Paddy World Darts Championship Round One, Day One Event overview and break down! All matches will be streaming on Peacock for the entire event. 

All odds are based on Oddspedia & Oddschecker to understand where the evaluations are coming from.

Match Breakdown: Thursday, Dec. 11, starting at 2:00 pm EST

Match 1: Kim Huybrechts (-250) vs. Arno Merk (+210)

Kim Hurbrechts is the longest veteran in this match, as this is his 15th consecutive World Championship. His current three-dart average is 91.14, which should give him a first-round victory over Arno Merk. Merk is a newer competitor with a large overview. Mark won the European Super League and has a three-dart average of 83.30, but has been increasing that average closer to 90 recently. Both competitors are pushing similar 180s per leg this year, as Huybrechts is 0.22 per leg and Merk is 0.12 per leg. 

I think this match will be fun, but it's a veteran with experience versus another competitor who has a smaller resume. 

Verdict: Kim Huybrechts to win over Arno Merk - [3 sets to 1].

(28) Michael Smith (-1600) vs. Lisa Ashton (+1020)

Michael “Bully Boy” Smith is the clear favorite in this match as he has experience and a stronger ability in the first round of the tournament. Smith has been battling injuries (severe osteoarthritis in his throwing hand, plus a shoulder issue (Grade 2 AC joint), which is why he is not on the same level as Littler or MVG this year. Smith has been averaging a 92.64 with three darts and gearing in 0.22 180s per leg. 

Lisa is entering her 5th World Championship and is currently 0-4 in her matches so far. She is averaging a 78.80 three-dart average and 0.09 180s per leg. I do not see her lighting up the match, but if Smith has an off day, she could hit some more accurate throws and win the total match.

Verdict: Michael Smith to win over Lisa Ashton - [3 sets to 0].

(1) Luke Littler (-3333) vs. Darius Labanauskas (+1600)

Luke “The Nuke” Littler is currently the favorite to win the whole tournament at -110. Luke is currently 18 and won this tournament last year, and is a clear top player in the world of darts. He is averaging 100.96 with three darts, which is impressive and very difficult to keep pace with. Littler has been playing on a whole different level than any other player, and it will take a massive match from one competitor and a misstep by Littler. 

Darius has been performing well with a three-dart average of 88.65 & earning 0.10 180s per leg. That, unfortunately, is far off from Littler, who is pushing up 0.44 180s per leg, which is close to 50% per leg; she scores an 180.

Verdict: Luke Littler to win over Darius Labanauskas - [3 sets to 0].

Madars Razma (-162) vs. Jamai van den Herik (+150)

This match has legs to be a tough battle and could go either way with a 37-year-old veteran in Madars Razma versus the 22-year-old Jamai van den Herik. This is Madars' 7th appearance at this event, and he has a higher level of competition on his belt, which gives him an advantage on this stage. Herik has been showing off with two efforts on the Development Tour, where he finished fifth on the Order of Merit. 

Both competitors have similar stats this year, as Razma has a 91.73 three-dart average and 0.14 180s per leg. Herik has a three-dart average of 88.11 and 0.21 180s per leg. I think this could be the closest match on the first day, and I am leaning towards the underdog in this match.

Verdict: Jamai Van den Herik to win over Madars Razma - [3 sets to 2].