What Is 1985 BDO World Darts Championship

Overview

The 1985 BDO World Darts Championship was the 8th edition of the tournament and a pivotal moment in darts history. Held annually since 1978, it solidified its status as the premier event in the sport, drawing top players from across the UK and beyond.

Staged at the Jollees Cabaret Club in Stoke-on-Trent, the championship featured a 32-player field competing in a single-elimination format. The event was broadcast on BBC, significantly boosting darts' popularity during its 1980s peak.

• January 5–12, 1985: The tournament spanned eight days, beginning with the first round and culminating in the final on the last day.
• Eric Bristow: The defending champion entered as the top seed and was heavily favored, having won the previous two titles.
• John Lowe: Reached the final for the second time, having previously won in 1979, and pushed Bristow to six sets.
• Format: Matches were played in sets, with each set requiring three legs to win, and the final was best of 11 sets.
• Prize money: The winner received £11,000, a significant sum at the time, reflecting the growing commercial appeal of professional darts.

How It Works

The 1985 BDO World Darts Championship followed a standardized ruleset that defined professional darts during the era. Each match was structured around sets and legs, with players aiming to reduce a starting score of 501 to zero.

• Gameplay: Each leg required players to finish on a double, and the first to win three legs won the set.
• Scoring: Darts were thrown in sets of three per turn, with the maximum possible score per turn being 180 (three triple 20s).
• Set structure: Most matches were best of 5 or 7 sets, but the final was extended to best of 11 sets.
• Double out: All games required a double to finish, meaning players could not win by hitting the bullseye or single 20 on the final dart.
• Player conduct: Players were expected to maintain composure, though crowd interaction was encouraged, contributing to the event’s entertainment value.
• Referees: Each match had an official referee to call scores, enforce rules, and manage disputes during play.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1985 BDO World Darts Championship compares to other major darts events of the era:

The 1985 BDO Championship stood out due to its high stakes, national broadcast, and growing fanbase. Unlike team or regional events, it was the definitive individual title in darts, making it the most prestigious prize at the time.

Why It Matters

The 1985 BDO World Darts Championship played a crucial role in shaping modern darts as a televised, professional sport. Its success demonstrated that darts could attract large audiences and significant sponsorship.

• Eric Bristow’s dominance: Winning three straight titles from 1984 to 1986 established Bristow as the sport’s first true superstar.
• Media exposure: BBC coverage brought darts into millions of homes, helping it gain mainstream cultural status in the UK.
• Commercial growth: Increased prize money and sponsorship signaled darts’ transition from pub game to professional sport.
• Influence on future events: The format and structure influenced later tournaments, including the PDC World Championship.
• Legacy of Stoke: Jollees Cabaret Club became synonymous with darts history, hosting the event until 1985.
• Global reach: The championship inspired international players and laid groundwork for future world-class competition.

The 1985 tournament remains a landmark in darts history, marking the peak of the BDO era and setting the stage for the sport’s future evolution.