Set (darts)
Encyclopedia
A set in darts
consists of a sequence of legs (games) played, ending when the count of legs won meets certain criteria. Throwing first is considered an advantage in a leg, so players alternate who throws first in each leg during the set.
Generally, a set will consist of the best of five legs (first player to win three) - although there are some exceptions. The most notable being the Winmau World Masters
, where a set is the best of three legs (first to two).
Usually, if a match goes to the final set - a "tiebreaker
" rule comes into play and players must win by two clear legs unless the match reaches 5-5 in the final set when a sudden-death deciding leg is played. The decision on which type of set is down to the organisers of each tournament - although both versions of the World Championship (PDC World Darts Championship
and BDO World Darts Championship
) use five legs per set and the "tiebreaker" rule in the final set.
, Raymond van Barneveld
defeated Phil Taylor by seven sets to six in one of the most dramatic darts matches of all-time. The breakdown of how each set went is shown here.
Taylor won the first two sets by three legs to nil, then added the third set before van Barneveld took the next two. The match continued and went to six sets all. Neither player managed to gain a two-leg advantage in the final set "tiebreak" so the deciding leg was played when the score reached 5-5. Before the final leg, the players threw for the bullseye with the nearest given the advantage of throwing first.
).
Currently the following tournaments use sets as their scoring system.
Darts
Darts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target fixed to a wall. Though various boards and games have been used in the past, the term "darts" usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules...
consists of a sequence of legs (games) played, ending when the count of legs won meets certain criteria. Throwing first is considered an advantage in a leg, so players alternate who throws first in each leg during the set.
Generally, a set will consist of the best of five legs (first player to win three) - although there are some exceptions. The most notable being the Winmau World Masters
Winmau World Masters
The Winmau World Masters is one of the longest running and most prestigious professional darts tournaments, which began in 1974 - even before the current World Professional Championship...
, where a set is the best of three legs (first to two).
Usually, if a match goes to the final set - a "tiebreaker
Tiebreaker
In games and sports, a tiebreaker or tiebreak is used to determine a winner from among players or teams that are tied at the end of a contest, or a set of contests.-In matches:In some situations, the tiebreaker may consist of another round of play...
" rule comes into play and players must win by two clear legs unless the match reaches 5-5 in the final set when a sudden-death deciding leg is played. The decision on which type of set is down to the organisers of each tournament - although both versions of the World Championship (PDC World Darts Championship
PDC World Darts Championship
The PDC World Darts Championship is a world championship competition for the sport of darts, organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . It was introduced following a dispute in 1994 with the British Darts Organisation, which has run its own world championship since 1978...
and BDO World Darts Championship
BDO World Darts Championship
The BDO World Darts Championship is a world championship competition in darts, organised by the British Darts Organisation . It began in 1978, and was the only world championship tournament until 1994...
) use five legs per set and the "tiebreaker" rule in the final set.
Example
During the final of the 2007 PDC World Darts Championship2007 PDC World Darts Championship
The 2007 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship was the 14th World Championship organised by the Professional Darts Corporation since it separated from the British Darts Organisation. The tournament began on Monday 18 December 2006 and the final was played on Monday 1 January 2007...
, Raymond van Barneveld
Raymond van Barneveld
Raymond van Barneveld , nickname Barney is a professional darts player. He is a five time World Darts Champion, and two time UK Open Champion. From January to June 2008, he was the PDC world number one ranked player...
defeated Phil Taylor by seven sets to six in one of the most dramatic darts matches of all-time. The breakdown of how each set went is shown here.
- Raymond van Barneveld 7-6 Phil Taylor
Taylor won the first two sets by three legs to nil, then added the third set before van Barneveld took the next two. The match continued and went to six sets all. Neither player managed to gain a two-leg advantage in the final set "tiebreak" so the deciding leg was played when the score reached 5-5. Before the final leg, the players threw for the bullseye with the nearest given the advantage of throwing first.
Tournaments using sets
In recent years, more and more new tournaments have decided against using sets as the scoring method - preferring to use the matchplay format of best of x legs (such as in the UK Open and Grand Slam of DartsGrand Slam of Darts
The Grand Slam of Darts is a darts tournament organised by the Professional Darts Corporation and is known as the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts for sponsorship purposes. The PDC also invites the best performing players from its rival the British Darts Organisation...
).
Currently the following tournaments use sets as their scoring system.
- PDC World ChampionshipPDC World Darts ChampionshipThe PDC World Darts Championship is a world championship competition for the sport of darts, organised by the Professional Darts Corporation . It was introduced following a dispute in 1994 with the British Darts Organisation, which has run its own world championship since 1978...
(five legs per set) - BDO World ChampionshipBDO World Darts ChampionshipThe BDO World Darts Championship is a world championship competition in darts, organised by the British Darts Organisation . It began in 1978, and was the only world championship tournament until 1994...
(five legs per set) - World Grand Prix (five legs per set)
- Winmau World MastersWinmau World MastersThe Winmau World Masters is one of the longest running and most prestigious professional darts tournaments, which began in 1974 - even before the current World Professional Championship...
(three legs per set)