What Is 1999 BDO World Darts Championship

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1999 BDO World Darts Championship was held from January 2 to January 10, 1999, at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, England. Raymond van Barneveld won the title by defeating Richie Burnett 6–5 in a sudden-death leg, claiming his first of five BDO world titles.

Key Facts

Raymond van Barneveld won the 1999 BDO World Darts Championship on January 10, 1999.
The final took place at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, England.
Van Barneveld defeated Richie Burnett 6–5 in a sudden-death deciding leg.
This was van Barneveld’s first BDO world title, beginning his dominance in the 1990s–2000s.
The tournament featured a 32-player men’s singles draw and used a best-of-sets format.

Overview

The 1999 BDO World Darts Championship was the 22nd edition of the tournament, organized by the British Darts Organisation. Held annually at the Lakeside Country Club, it marked a pivotal moment in darts history as Raymond van Barneveld claimed his first world title in dramatic fashion.

This championship was notable for its intense final, which ended in a sudden-death leg—the first time in BDO history a world final was decided this way. The event solidified van Barneveld’s status as a top-tier player and signaled a shift in European darts dominance.

Raymond van Barneveld won the tournament on January 10, 1999, defeating Richie Burnett in a 6–5 final set.
The championship was held at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, England, the traditional home of the BDO World Championship.
Van Barneveld became the first Dutch player to win the BDO World Darts Championship, paving the way for future Dutch success.
The final match lasted over two hours and included a record-setting number of high-scoring legs and missed doubles.
The tournament featured a 32-player single-elimination draw, with competitors from 12 countries including England, the Netherlands, and Canada.

How It Works

The BDO World Darts Championship followed a structured format that emphasized consistency, precision, and mental endurance under pressure. Matches were played in a best-of-set format, with legs and sets determining progression.

Best-of-Set Format: Matches were played in a best-of format, starting with best-of-3 sets in early rounds and increasing to best-of-13 in the final. Each set required a player to win three legs.
Leg Rules: A leg is won by reaching 501 points exactly, finishing on a double. Players throw three darts per turn, alternating until one hits the required double.
Sudden-Death Decider: In the 1999 final, a sudden-death leg was used when the score reached 5–5 in sets, with the first to check out winning.
Scoring Zones: The dartboard features a double ring (outer edge) and triple ring (middle), with the bullseye worth 50 points (outer) and 25 (inner).
Player Seeding: The top 8 players were seeded based on BDO rankings, ensuring top performers avoided early matchups with each other.
Match Duration: Matches could last from 45 minutes to over three hours, depending on the number of sets and player accuracy under pressure.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1999 BDO World Darts Championship can be better understood when compared to other editions and the rival PDC World Championship.

Feature	1999 BDO Championship	1998 BDO Championship	1999 PDC World Championship
Champion	Raymond van Barneveld	Raymond van Barneveld	Phil Taylor
Runner-up	Richie Burnett	Player Unknown	Peter Manley
Final Score	6–5 (sudden death)	6–3	6–2
Location	Lakeside, England	Lakeside, England	Surbiton, England
Prize Fund	£100,000 (winner: £25,000)	£90,000 (winner: £22,500)	£100,000 (winner: £30,000)

This comparison highlights how the BDO and PDC were developing parallel darts ecosystems. While the BDO maintained tradition with lower prize money and a sudden-death final, the PDC offered higher stakes and faster-paced finals. The 1999 BDO final’s dramatic finish boosted its popularity despite financial disadvantages.

Why It Matters

The 1999 BDO World Darts Championship had lasting implications for the sport, influencing player careers and the global growth of darts. Its outcome reshaped competitive dynamics and inspired a new generation of players.

Van Barneveld’s breakthrough marked the rise of Dutch dominance in darts, culminating in multiple world titles across BDO and PDC.
The sudden-death final became legendary, often replayed in darts retrospectives and cited as one of the most thrilling finishes.
It highlighted the competitive depth outside England, with players from the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia reaching later stages.
The event increased television viewership on BBC, boosting darts’ profile in the UK and Europe during a period of declining interest.
It underscored the importance of mental resilience, as both finalists missed crucial doubles under intense pressure.
The championship reinforced Lakeside’s status as darts’ spiritual home, a venue synonymous with tradition and drama.

Ultimately, the 1999 BDO World Darts Championship was more than a tournament—it was a turning point that bridged eras, elevated international talent, and set the stage for darts’ modern evolution.