Steve Starr
- The 2023 World Matchplay tournament takes place at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens from July 15-23, 2023
- Michael van Gerwen aims to defend his title and win the prestigious event for the fourth time
- Bovada has odds for every first-round matchup as the world’s top 16 darts players face off against 16 qualifiers
One of the biggest events in professional darts, the 2023 World Matchplay tournament pits 32 of the best players in the world against each other. With £800,000 in prize money up for grabs, including £200,000 for the winner, the competition for the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy will be fierce.
Before we examine the odds for all 16 first-round matchups, check out all the Sports & Competitions to bet on in 2023. Here’s also where you can see the latest Sports Betting Odds & Picks.
2023 World Matchplay
 | Spread | Win |
| Danny Noppert | -2.5 (+180) | -145 |
| Martin Schindler | +2.5 (-240) | +110 |
| Dimitri van den Bergh | -145 | |
| Ross Smith | +110 | |
| Dirk van den Bergh | -2.5 (-145) | -300 |
| Kim Huybrechts | +2.5 (+110) | +220 |
| Jonny Clayton | -2.5 (+105) | -225 |
| Gabriel Clemons | +2.5 (-135) | +170 |
| James Wade | +2.5 (-260) | -110 |
| Chris Dobey | -2.5 (+190) | -110 |
| Ryan Searle | -2.5 (+165) | -130 |
| Raymond van Barneveld | +2.5 (-220) | +100 |
| Nathan Aspinall | -2.5 (+120) | -205 |
| Krzystof Ratajski | +2.5 (-155) | +155 |
| Damon Heta | +2.5 (-175) | +120 |
| Josh Rock | -2.5 (+135) | -154 |
| Dave Chisnall | +2.5 (-240) | -113 |
| Gary Anderson | -2.5 (+180) | -115 |
| Luke Humphries | +2.5 (-110) | -260 |
| Jose De Sousa | -2.5 (-120) | +190 |
| Michael Smith | -4.5 (-110) | -1000 |
| Steve Beaton | +4.5 (-150) | +550 |
| Michael van Gerwen | -4.5 (-110) | -145 |
| Brendan Dolan | +4.5 (-120) | +110 |
| Peter Wright | -2.5 (+125) | -250 |
| Andrew Gilding | +2.5 (-165) | +185 |
| Joe Cullen | -2.5 (+115) | -210 |
| Mike de Decker | +2.5 (-150) | +160 |
| Robert Cross | -2.5 (+105) | -218 |
| Daryl Gurney | +2.5 (-135) | +165 |
| Gerwyn Price | -3.5 (+100) | -410 |
| Stephen Bunting | +3.5 (-130) | +290 |
The summer’s biggest darts event
Hosted at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England, the World Matchplay event takes place from July 15 to 23. Over the first three days of the tournament, the planet’s top 16 seeded dart players square off against 16 qualifiers from the ProTour Order of Merit.
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen is a heavy -1000 favorite (-4.5 spread) as he opens his title defense against Brendan Dolan. Same goes for world champion Michael Smith (-1000 money line, -4.5 spread), who is expected to beat up on veteran Steve Beaton in their first-round matchup. Last year’s runner-up Gerwyn Price is -410 chalk (-3.5 spread) versus Stephen Bunting, who made the quarter-finals back in 2019.
𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗗𝗖 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 🎯🔥
🇳🇱 Michael van Gerwen x 36 🏆
🏴 Peter Wright x 8 🏆
🏴 Gerwyn Price x 8 🏆
🏴 Michael Smith x 6 🏆
🏴 Luke Humphries x 5 🏆
🏴 Dave Chisnall x 5 🏆 pic.twitter.com/RdKa9FDiZn— Darts Behind The Oche 🎯 (@DartsBehindThe) July 2, 2023
Champions return
Five-time quarter-finalist Dave Chisnall (-113) matches up with unseeded player Gary Anderson (-115), the 2018 winner, in one of the most competitive round one matchups. Anderson is far from the only champion in the field. UK Open champion Andrew Gilding (+185) is an underdog to Peter Wright (-250). 2007 World Matchplay winner James Wade (-110) has a dogfight ahead of him with current Masters champion Chris Dobey (-110).
2020 Matchplay champ Dimitri Van den Bergh is -145 chalk over Ross Smith (+110), the winner of the 2022 European Championship. And 2018 PDC World Darts Champion Rob Cross is a -218 favorite against Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney, in a rematch of their memorable 2019 semi-final.
More first round action
Ryan Searle is a -130 favorite over 2010 runner-up Raymond van Barneveld, who is returning to the event following a four-year absence. Oddsmakers don’t expect experience to be an issue for World Youth Champion Josh Rock, making him a -154 favorite to down Australian No. 1 Damon Heta. Also making his Winter Gardens debut is Mike De Decker. He’s a +160 underdog to 2018 quarter-finalist Joe Cullen.
2020 World Cup winner Johnny Clayton (-225) is expected to have his way with German No. 1 Gabriel Clemens. Similarly, No. 6 seed Luke Humphries shouldn’t have much trouble with former Grand Slam champ Jose de Sousa in their first round encounter.
Here is the World Matchplay First Round session by session schedule 👀 some very tasty matchups 🔥 #darts #sport #worldmatchplaydarts #mvg #garyanderson #michaelsmith #gerwynprice #philtaylor #wintergardensblackpool #pdcdarts #pdceurope #oche #bullseye #ninedarter #trebles #pdc pic.twitter.com/1B0S5sr2Dr
— The 180 Monthly (@The180Monthly) July 5, 2023
Best Bets
Look for two-time quarter-finalist Nathan Aspinall to cover the -2.5 spread (+120) against Krzysztof Ratajski. We also like former UK Open champion Danny Noppert -2.5 (+180) over the German Martin Schindler.
Finally, Kim Huybrechts is making his ninth appearance at the World Matchplay. While the Belgian is a big underdog, we think Huybrechts can cover the +2.5 spread (+110) against three-time TV finalist Dirk van Duijvenbode.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
