Party Poker Desert Classic 09 Preview

The PDC circus hits Las Vegas on Wednesday with the Desert Classic held at the Mandalay Resort and Casino, more famous for its Shark Reef Aquarium than arrowsmiths. Screened live on Sky from 7pm UK time it kicks off early morning local time and is a far cry from the raucous Premier League experience. A much flatter show, think Budweiser which has been lying too long in a hot beer garden. As for the crowd, try to envisage the Rocky Horror show add in some Vegas eccentricity and you will be close. This is the last year the tournament will run on Sky, not too much of a surprise as many view it as the least enticing proposition on the Sky darting calendar. Overseas costs have played a part as many leading global companies tighten their belts. As I write, around 190 players have just battled it out for 12 qualifying places to join the PDC’s top 16 in the Order of Merit and 4 North American Order of Merit qualifiers. Look for players fighting to stay in the top 16 or attempting to get into the lucrative top 16 as in past years it has been known for one or two players not to be 100% motivated at the tournament, some spending more time on the casino tables than on the practice board. Never a winning strategy with an 11am start. Round one matches are over the lightning quick best of eleven legs, leaving favourites susceptible to shocks. In 2006 – six of the world’s top ten players crashed out at this stage, leaving favourite layers in clover on the exchanges. There are shocks every year in the Desert Classic and the best approach for the opening 16 matches is to look for vulnerable favourites. Much will depend on the draw, though seeded players who may be worth opposing look to be the likes of John Part, Terry Jenkins, Colin Lloyd and Wayne Mardle. Part has a good record in this event, taking the title in 2006 and getting to the final in 2003. The bonus for the big Canadian is the closer proximity of this event rather than the arduous travel time he has to endure on the UK circuit. Unfortunately Part has to arrest a slide in form if he is to hold his position in the upper echelons of the PDC Order of Merit. Terry Jenkins has admitted himself he often finds the first game of any tournament particularly difficult and he could be prone to an upset. Colin Lloyd has really struggled in televised tournaments over the last couple of years although his game has been in pretty good shape on the floor recently. Wayne Mardle is a player you could not trust with counterfeit dollars and his game will have to pick up if he is to retain his rank among the world’s elite. The first round with the race to six legs is also where the “Guvnor” Phil Taylor has most likelihood of a shock defeat. From the qualifiers, the players whom the top 16 will be looking to avoid will be Gary Anderson, who should be in the top 5 of the Order of Merit, sooner rather than later. Simon Whitlock, Louis Blundell and an on fire Jamie Caven. Throw in any of those dangerous unseeded players against any of the aforementioned vulnerable top 16 players and you may have a bet. Keep stakes on the small side for Rounds 1 and 2, and up them accordingly as the format lengthens from the quarter-final onwards. With the draw still to be made, it is unclear how many subsidiary markets such as most match 180s, highest checkout etc will be available, so we will have a look at the outright market. The big question for punters to decide is whether they are a Taylor backer or layer. There are reports that he has been suffering from a back injury but he has won this tournament four out of the seven occasions on which it has been played and in the recent UK Open he was simply untouchable. He is a best priced 4-6 for the tournament. Raymond van Barneveld was originally a standout 16-1 with Coral’s, the biggest odds seen for the Dutchman for years for any event though he has now been trimmed to 12-1. He won the tournament in 2006 and reached the final in 2007 but there are many questions to be asked about his game, from constant changing of darts to holding his head in his hands after defeat. Should he find the form he is capable of, you should have a free back to lay bet running for you in the latter stages. Other players who must have a shout are Gary Anderson (14-1), James Wade (8-1) and Mark Walsh (28-1). Anderson is a serial tournament winner waiting to happen. Firstly he has to overcome the massive hurdle that is Taylor and also prove that he can win a TV major on his new circuit. The Scotsman is also not known to be too fond of an early alarm call. Wade has been quiet of late with regards to playing time and probably quiet on the practice front too, but he showed with winning the Premier League after not picking up a dart for several weeks that there is no substitute for natural talent. Mark Walsh is simply exuding confidence at present, has a rock-solid throw and has already beaten the world’s best players this year. One thing’s for sure with the standard of players lining up in Las Vegas, this will be one hot betting heat.