PDC World Darts Championship Draw, TV Schedule & Latest Odds

Emerging German talent Florian Hempel, who only started playing darts four years ago, has produced the biggest shock so far in the 2021/22 PDC World Darts Championship betting after knocking out world number five Dimitri Van den Bergh in a thrilling contest.

Having defeated compatriot Martin Schindler in his first round match, Hempel defied a 101.78 average from Belgian ace Van den Bergh to claim a 3-1 victory on Wednesday. It was one of two upsets on the night as Devon Peterson fell to Raymond Smith.

Those results mean four seeded players have now exited the tournament, with Peterson (28), Stephen Bunting (16), Krzysztof Ratajski (12) and Van den Bergh (5) all now on the scrapheap, with Hempel to take on Raymond Smith in round three.

Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price remains favourite with all the best betting sites although he was forced to graft for a win over Ritchie Edhouse on the opening night.

Last year’s champion survived a scare in the battle for the £2.5million prize money with Price having to fight back from a set down against an impressive Edhouse, who also led 2-0 in the third set before Price won the set decider with a game-changing 130 checkout.

Price, the world number one, is bidding to join Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson and Adrian Lewis as back-to-back PDC World Champions and eased the pressure on himself with a 3-0 win in the fourth set, finishing the contest with a 101.28 average and two 130 checkouts.

World Darts Champions Outright Odds

Before the tournament started, Price was in equally bullish mood, saying: "To be part of a small number of players who are back-to-back World Champions would be special.

"I’ve done it before at the Grand Slam and on the European Tour, so I seem to perform well when that sort of pressure is put on me."

"I’ve become a lot more confident and believe I’m the rightful world number one and World Champion. If somebody plays well against me, I find that extra gear.

"It’s good to know I’ve got an A game to beat anyone. I believe 100% that I can win it. I am going to win it."

Darts on TV 2021: World Darts Championship Christmas Schedule

Wednesday, December 22 (7pm, Sky Sports)

• Nathan Aspinall v Joe Murnan (R2)
• Dirk van Duijvenbode v Boris Koltsov (R2)
• Kim Huybrechts v Steve Beaton (R2)
• Simon Whitlock v Martijn Kleermaker (R2)

Monday, December 27 (7pm, Sky Sports)

• James Wade v Vincent Van der Voort/Adam Hunt (R3
• Gerwyn Price v Kim Huybrechts/Steve Beaton (R3)
• Rowby-John Rodriguez v Nick Kenny (R3)
• Jonny Clayton v Gabriel Clemens/Lewy Williams (R3)

Tuesday, December 28 (7pm, Sky Sports)

• Rob Cross/Raymond Van Barneveld v Daryl Gurney (R3)
• Peter Wright v Damon Heta/Luke Woodhouse (R3)
• Michael van Gerwen v Chris Dobey/Rusty Jake Rodriguez (R3)

Wednesday, December 29 (7pm, Sky Sports)

• Gary Anderson v Ian White (R3)

Elsewhere, 2019 finalist Michael Smith landed six 180s and dropped just a single leg in an impressive display that saw him post both the highest average and the joint-best doubles success percentage in any match so far at this year’s event.

The world number nine, who had lost his opening match in each of the last two years, averaged 106.23 and hit nine from 12 double attempts – the same 75% success rate as Hempel - in a dominant display to reach round three.

"I’m delighted to get the win and can have a nice Christmas after two bad years," Smith told the PDC after the match.

"I didn’t miss a dart at a double in the first set and that really helped me settle down from the start. I know where my game is and I know it is always there. I’m doing the right things and I know it will be my time soon. Once I win my first major title, I will go on a run of winning more.

"I’m always there or thereabouts. Nobody talks about me but I know I am capable. I just have to work hard."

Darts betting sites reacted to the win by cutting 'Bully Boy' in from 25/1 to 18/1 to win the PDC World Championship.

PDC Schedule of Play

Meanwhile, the post-Christmas third round schedule for the tournament, which is worth a staggering £2.5m in prize money, has been confirmed.

The remaining 32 players will continue their battle for the Sid Waddell Trophy when the tournament resumes on Monday, December 27, with the third round spread across three days of action.

The first day back after the three-day Christmas break will see reigning champion Price continue his title defence, with 2021's most successful player Jonny Clayton also in action.

Three-time winner Michael van Gerwen and world number two Peter Wright will be the star attractions on Tuesday, December 28.

The remaining four third round ties will take place on Wednesday, December 29, the last of which will see Gary Anderson play Ian White, before the fourth round begins with two matches.

PDC World Darts Championship Format

• First Round - Best of five sets
• Second Round - Best of five sets
• Third Round - Best of seven sets
• Fourth Round - Best of seven sets
• Quarter-Finals - Best of nine sets
• Semi-Finals - Best of 11 sets
• Final - Best of 13 sets

Tie-Breaks

First Round matches will not have a tie-break; if the fifth set reaches two-all in legs, then the fifth leg will be sudden-death.

From the Second Round onwards, there will be a tie-break rule employed in all matches; where a deciding set must be won by two clear legs. If the score in the final set reaches 5-5 then a sudden-death leg will be played.

There would be no throw for the bull in any sudden-death legs.

Prize Fund

• Winner - £500,000
• Runner-Up - £200,000
• Semi-Finalists - £100,000
• Quarter-Finalists - £50,000
• Fourth Round - £35,000
• Third Round - £25,000
• Second Round - £15,000
• First Round - £7,500