It’s edging closer to that time of year when the famous Lakeside resort, for 9 days in January, hosts the 2009 Darts World Championship. The prize money for the eventual winner of the Men’s tournament has been increased to a whopping £95,000. As usual the atmosphere will be electric for BDO’s premier competition with ticket allocations for all 9 days of play virtually snapped up.

Early darts betting indicators suggest that the current Darts World Champion, Welshman Mark Webster, will be a pre-tournament favourite but faces stiff competition from Scotland’s ‘Jump-Around-Dreamboy’, Gary Anderson. Others, who will be there or thereabouts include, England’s Martin Adams, a Lakeside World Championship winner in 2007 and Australia’s Simon Whitlock. An interesting outside bet may be, Netherlands new boy, the colourfully named, Willy Van De Wiel who won the Norway Open back in May of this year.

Lakeside Darts World Championship 2009 PRIZE MONEY - MEN:
Champion £95,000
Runner-up £30,000
Semi-finalists £11,000 x 2
Quarter-finalists £6,000 x 4
2nd round £4,250 x 8
1st round £3,000 x 16
Total £256,000

Lakeside Darts World Championship 2009 PRIZE MONEY - WOMEN:
Champion £6,000
Runner-up £2,000
Joint 3rd £1,000 x 2
Joint 5th £500 x 4
Total £12,000

Lakeside Darts World Championship Highest Checkout
Men & Women £3,000

Lakeside Darts World Championship 9-Dart Finish - 501
Men & Women £52,000

Lakeside Darts World Championship Total Available Prize Fund: £320,000