What Is 2010 BDO World Darts Championship

Overview

The 2010 BDO World Darts Championship was the 33rd edition of the tournament and marked a pivotal moment in darts history. Held annually at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, it showcased some of the top players from the British Darts Organisation (BDO).

This championship was notable for its dramatic men’s final and continued prominence of the Lakeside venue. Despite growing competition from the PDC, the BDO event remained a major draw for traditional darts fans.

• January 2–10, 2010: The tournament spanned nine days, beginning with preliminary rounds and culminating in the men’s final on January 10.
• Lakeside Country Club: Located in Frimley Green, Surrey, this venue hosted the BDO World Championship from 1986 to 2019, becoming synonymous with the event.
• Martin Adams: The English player won his second BDO World Championship title, having previously won in 2007, defeating Dave Chisnall in a tense final.
• Dave Chisnall: A rising star at the time, Chisnall reached his first world final and pushed Adams to a deciding set, finishing runner-up.
• Anastasia Dobromyslova: The Russian player claimed her second BDO women’s title, defeating Deta Hedman 2–0 in sets, reaffirming her dominance in women’s darts.

How It Works

The BDO World Darts Championship followed a structured knockout format with specific rules differentiating it from PDC events. Matches were played in sets, with each set requiring three legs to win, and the overall match format varied by round.

• Best of 13 sets: The men’s final was played as a best-of-13 sets format, requiring a player to win 7 sets to claim the title, increasing match endurance demands.
• Three legs per set: Each set required a player to win three legs, meaning a minimum of 21 legs could be played in a final, though many matches exceeded this.
• Set progression: Players advanced through rounds from the last 16 to quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final, with each stage increasing in pressure and media attention.
• Women’s championship: The women’s event was a best-of-3 sets match in the final, with two sets required to win, contrasting the men’s longer format.
• Double-start rule: Unique to BDO rules, players had to start each leg by hitting a double, adding a layer of difficulty not used in PDC events.
• Scoring system: Standard 501 format was used, with players reducing their score from 501 to exactly zero, finishing on a double to win a leg.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2010 BDO World Darts Championship compared to the concurrent 2010 PDC World Darts Championship:

While both championships offered the same winner’s purse in 2010, the BDO maintained traditional rules like the double-start, whereas the PDC had evolved with faster-paced gameplay and broader TV coverage. The PDC final, won by Phil Taylor, drew larger audiences, but the BDO event retained a loyal following.

Why It Matters

The 2010 BDO World Darts Championship highlighted the resilience of traditional darts in the face of PDC dominance. It preserved unique rules and provided a platform for players outside the mainstream circuit.

• Legacy of Lakeside: The venue symbolized the heart of traditional darts, with its intimate setting and long-standing association with the BDO.
• Martin Adams’ rise: His victory cemented him as one of the top BDO players of the 2000s, winning multiple world titles in his career.
• Women’s inclusion: The BDO continued to support women’s darts, with Anastasia Dobromyslova’s win promoting gender equality in the sport.
• Rule differences: The double-start rule distinguished BDO play, emphasizing precision and adding strategic depth to each leg.
• Player development: The tournament served as a springboard for future stars, including Dave Chisnall, who later joined the PDC.
• Cultural significance: The event preserved a traditional style of darts, appealing to fans who valued the sport’s grassroots origins.

The 2010 championship remains a notable chapter in darts history, representing the peak of BDO prestige before its eventual decline in the 2010s.