What Is 1990 BDO World Darts Championship

Overview

The 1990 BDO World Darts Championship marked the 13th edition of the tournament organized by the British Darts Organisation. Held annually since 1978, it remained the premier event in darts before the later split with the PDC. This edition continued the tradition of showcasing top-tier talent from across the UK and beyond.

Played at the iconic Lakeside Country Club, the championship featured a 32-player field competing in a knockout format. The event drew significant television coverage and live audiences, reinforcing darts as a mainstream sport in the UK during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

• Jocky Wilson emerged victorious, winning his second consecutive world title by defeating Eric Bristow 6–3 in the final on January 14, 1990.
• The tournament was held at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, which had become synonymous with the BDO World Championship since 1986.
• Wilson’s win made him the first player to successfully defend a world title since Eric Bristow himself in 1986.
• Eric Bristow, a five-time champion, was attempting to win a record sixth title but fell short in the final despite strong form throughout the tournament.
• The final was played in front of a packed crowd and broadcast nationally, highlighting the sport’s growing popularity during this era.

Final Match Details

The championship final was a highly anticipated clash between two of darts’ biggest names—Jocky Wilson and Eric Bristow—drawing widespread media attention.

• Final Score: Jocky Wilson defeated Eric Bristow 6–3 in sets, with each set requiring three legs to win.
• Wilson’s Average: He posted a tournament-high 92.78 three-dart average in the final, showcasing exceptional consistency under pressure.
• Bristow’s Performance: Despite losing, Bristow averaged 90.12 and hit five 180s, proving he remained a dominant force.
• Crucial Moment: Wilson won the seventh set after Bristow missed a double 16, shifting momentum decisively in his favor.
• Prize Money: Wilson earned £24,000 for the win, while Bristow received £12,000 as runner-up.
• Historic Context: This was the last BDO final between two British players until 1997, marking the end of an era in UK-dominated darts.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of key statistics from the 1990 BDO final and previous years reveals trends in scoring and performance.

The table shows a steady increase in scoring averages, reflecting improved player skill and professionalism. Wilson’s 1990 average was the highest in BDO final history up to that point. The dominance of British players in the finals during this period also underscores the UK’s central role in darts before international expansion.

Why It Matters

The 1990 BDO World Darts Championship holds a significant place in the sport’s history, representing both the peak of a golden era and the beginning of future changes.

• It marked Jocky Wilson’s final world title, cementing his legacy as one of darts’ all-time greats.
• The match highlighted the rivalry between Wilson and Bristow, two icons whose careers defined 1980s darts.
• High television ratings demonstrated darts’ mainstream appeal in the UK during this period.
• The tournament’s structure influenced future formats, including those adopted by the breakaway PDC in 1993.
• Wilson’s back-to-back titles set a benchmark for consistency that few would match in subsequent years.
• The event also signaled the end of British dominance, as players from the Netherlands and other countries began rising in prominence.

The 1990 championship remains a landmark event for fans and historians, symbolizing both tradition and transition in professional darts.