2026 Ladbrokes UK Open Day 1: Betting Tips

• Jenson Walker To Win: 11/8 at bet365

Pascal Rupprecht has had a tough start to life on the PDC Tour, winning just one match in the first four Players Championship events. He did claim a solid 6-1 win over Stefan Bellmont 3 weeks ago, and if he takes confidence from that, he can regain the form he had to win his tour card.

Jenson Walker has made some serious strides over his short career, with the highlight coming at the Modus Super Series, where he won at Champions Week. The youngster has competed at a high level for a while, reaching the semi-final of the 2025 WDF World Championship. He is also a current England International.

The German will be under huge pressure to find some form and kick-start his PDC career, whereas Jenson is full of confidence and will no doubt have the majority of the support in the room, so he looks a fantastic price to claim victory here.

• Over 9.5 Legs: 1/1 at Virgin Bet

James Beeton reached the quarter-finals of the WDF World Darts Championship in 2025 and currently sits at World No.7 after claiming the title at the Scottish Open in February. Still only 22, he clearly has a very bright future in the sport, although there are slight concerns about how his somewhat awkward throwing action might hold up under pressure.

Arno Merk first caught the eye at PDC World Championship, defeating both Kim Huybrechts and Peter Wright on his way to the last 32. The German followed that up by earning his tour card at Q School and, while the start to life on the professional circuit has been challenging, he has already shown he is a very capable performer.

This has the makings of one of the standout ties of the opening round, and it would be no surprise to see it develop into a tight contest that could easily go all the way to a deciding leg.

• Over 9.5 Legs: 1/1 at Betfred

Both of these players are young, hungry competitors who have already gained valuable experience going deep in the MODUS Super Series. Ryan Branley is arguably the more experienced of the two despite being younger, while Olly King is someone who clearly doesn’t fear the big occasion, which makes this an intriguing matchup.

I’ve actually played quite a bit with Olly, as he lives close to me, and one thing that stands out is his scoring power. He’s a heavy scorer, very similar in style to Branley. Both players have also produced strong performances in several Amateur Darts Circuit sanctioned events.

With both players capable of putting up big scoring bursts, this has all the makings of a very evenly matched tie.

• Samuel Price To Win: 2/1 at bet365

Ron Meulenkamp is clearly the more experienced player in this matchup, but the fact that Sam Price is currently competing regularly on the PDC Pro Tour could prove to be a significant advantage.

Price has made a steady start to life on the professional circuit, picking up a few wins and gradually finding his feet. Before earning his tour card, he was also a regular competitor at amateur tournaments across Great Britain, so the stage and atmosphere shouldn’t feel unfamiliar to him.

As mentioned, the Dutchman certainly has the edge when it comes to experience, but with Price available at around 2/1, that price simply looks too big to ignore.

• Under 8.5 Legs: 7/5 at QuinnBet

Tyler Thorpe first caught the eye at the MODUS Super Series, where he dominated his group and barely dropped a leg. The Norwich youngster followed that up by securing his tour card at PDC Q School in January. While the start to life on the professional circuit hasn’t been spectacular, he is still only 23 and clearly has plenty of potential.

Pero Ljubic also returned to the Professional Darts Corporation ranks in January after earning his tour card. The Croatian has spent much of his career playing soft-tip darts, but his focus now appears to have shifted firmly towards the steel-tip game.

However, Ljubic’s recent record makes for difficult reading. He has lost his last 12 matches on the PDC circuit, including his first seven since regaining his tour card this year. With Thorpe’s explosive scoring power, he looks well placed to take control of this contest and should have enough quality to come through relatively comfortably.

• Over 9.5 Legs: 11/10 at PricedUp

This is another standout tie, with both players arriving in good form. Jurjen van der Velde is clearly the more experienced competitor, having appeared on television stages multiple times, but Jack Tweddell has made a strong impact since returning to competitive darts on the Amateur Darts Circuit.

Everything about this matchup suggests it could go the distance. If Tweddell settles quickly and finds his rhythm early on, this has all the ingredients for a high-scoring and high-quality contest that could easily come down to a deciding leg.

• Sebastian Bialecki To Win: 1/1 at Betfair

Sebastian Bialecki is still only 22 years old but has already gained valuable experience during his time on the PDC circuit. That experience is beginning to show in his performances, and he has made a solid, steady start to the 2026 season.

Christian Kist burst onto the scene after winning the 2012 BDO World Darts Championship and made encouraging progress in the years that followed. Unfortunately, injuries have disrupted large parts of his career, although his action has looked much smoother again over the past few seasons.

The Dutchman is still capable of moments of real brilliance, highlighted by his nine-dart finish at the PDC World Darts Championship in 2025. However, he is no longer as consistent as he once was, and the young Pole should have enough quality to come through this matchup.

• Jimmy van Schie To Win: 10/11 at bet365

Jimmy van Schie looks to be one of the most exciting talents to emerge in recent years. The Dutchman is the reigning WDF World Darts Champion and a former WDF World No.1. It may take him a little time to fully adapt to the elite level, but he certainly possesses all the tools required to do so.

Tom Bissell endured a difficult 2025 campaign during his first year as a tour card holder, but he has made a much brighter start to 2026. The PDC circuit can be brutally competitive, and that first year of experience should now stand him in good stead.

For me, this has the look of another tight encounter. While Bissell may arrive in slightly better form, Van Schie arguably possesses the higher ceiling with his A-game, and I expect that quality to begin showing itself sooner rather than later.

• Kim Huybrechts To Win: 19/20 at Ladbrokes

Kim Huybrechts is clearly not the same player he was a decade ago, but the fact that he continues to compete at this level, even through periods of struggle, is a testament to his quality and longevity. Darts is never easy, particularly on the PDC circuit, but he has made a solid start to the 2026 season with two last-16 runs in Players Championship tournaments.

Keane Barry once looked like one of the brightest young prospects in the sport, yet his progression has stalled somewhat, and it remains unclear why. The talent is clearly there, but his results haven’t reflected that potential, and he now finds himself battling to retain his tour card this season.

Huybrechts hasn’t enjoyed the best record on television in recent years, but with Barry proving so inconsistent and unpredictable, the Belgian looks very good value in this matchup.