Luke Littler 11/2 to win 2025 PDC World Darts Championship after defeat to Luke Humphries

By Sporting Life

Darts

Fri January 05, 2024 · 1y ago

Luke Littler is 11/2 third-favourite for the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship following his defeat to Luke Humphries in last night's final.

Littler's sensational run came to an end when new world number one Humphries powered from 4-2 down to rattle off five sets in a row and become world champion for the first time.

Humphries has now won four of the last five majors and is as short as 100/30 to defend his title in a year with Sky Bet, but Littler isn't far behind him after the 16-year-old made headlines worldwide.

WATCH: HOW MUCH DO DARTS PLAYERS EARN

Have you ever wondered how much money professional darts player can earn and whether the top stars are really enjoying a millionaire life of luxury? Paul Nicholson joins Sporting Life's Chris Hammer and Dom Newton to lift the lid on the realities of playing for your livelihood and it's not quite as lucrative as you may think.

HOW MUCH MONEY DO DARTS PLAYERS EARN AND CAN TOP PROS BECOME MILLIONAIRES?

Available at 150/1 to win the 2024 edition two months before it began, sponsors Paddy Power make Littler 11/2, the same price as three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.

Humphries was quick to praise Littler after his own impressive victory, the culmination of a breakout year which began with his surprise omission from the Premier League line-up.

Littler though was included in the roster for 2025 when it was announced on Thursday afternoon along with news of a new sponsor, BetMGM.

The players included for the event, which begins in Cardiff on February 1, are:

Luke Humphries
Michael van Gerwen
Michael Smith
Nathan Aspinall
Gerwyn Price
Rob Cross
Peter Wright
Luke Littler

Hammer hits nail on the head

Humphries' victory meanwhile was another fine result for followers of Sporting Life's darts coverage, having been Chris Hammer's headline selection for the title.

Hammer put up Michael Smith at double-figure odds for the 2023 renewal - as well as a nine-dart finish in the final - and this time was keen to back the favourite, both outright and in the most tournament 180s betting.

He also selected several winners in his final preview., including both players to average over 100.5 at 2/1 and Humphries to win and hit most 180s at 7/4.

🤑 Luke Humphries to win the world title (4/1 pre-tournament)
✅ Luke Humphries to win and hit most 180s (7/4)
💯 Both players to average over 100.5 (2/1)
👏 33+ 180s and 7+ 100+ checkouts (6/4)

A profitable end to @ChrisHammer180's tipping coverage of the World Championship pic.twitter.com/vZLwTc3qAK
— Sport on Sporting Life (@SLSport_) January 3, 2024

During our special preview show ahead of the tournament, Chris and presenter Abigail Davies both selected Humphries to lift the trophy while Paul Nicholson singled Luke Littler for high praise and gave viewers a real taste of what to expect from him.

👏 Our @ChrisHammer180 felt he was a bit boring for joining @swanabi in predicting Luke Humphries would win the world title before the tournament - but their wise words paid off! pic.twitter.com/QBZV0OwsDg
— Sport on Sporting Life (@SLSport_) January 3, 2024

🤑🙌 Not only did our @ChrisHammer180 back Luke Humphries to win the world title at 4/1, he also tipped him to lift the inaugural Ballon d'Art for most 180s at 3/1! pic.twitter.com/JZY2ak91SQ
— Sport on Sporting Life (@SLSport_) January 3, 2024

"Luke Littler is the anomaly from what we expect from a boy. He plays more like a 32-year-old."

"Don't underestimate how popular he'll be with the audience."

👏Paul @TheAsset180 Nicholson saw all this coming alongside @swanabi and @chrishammer180 before a dart was thrown... pic.twitter.com/P3OBRVv0lt
— Sport on Sporting Life (@SLSport_) January 3, 2024

Abigail, Paul, Chris and resident statistician Carl Fletcher also showed incredible foresight in our special pre-tournament betting guide such as Littler to be the best unseeded player and the likes of Peter Wright and Dirk van Duijvenbode to crash out early on.

Follow them all on Twitter at @ChrisHammer180 , @CarlyFletch @TheAsset180 and @swanabi while visit sportinglife.com/darts for previews and selections for upcoming events including the Masters and the Premier League, plus unrivalled day-to-day coverage of the sport.

That includes Paul Nicholson's columns, video content and more as we head into a new year. Will it belong to a played named Luke, and if so, which one?

IS LUKE LITTLER THE NEXT PHIL TAYLOR AND WILL HE BE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE?

ALSO WATCH: HOW TO BECOME A DARTS PROFESSIONAL

Leading pundit and former major winner Paul Nicholson joins host Dom Newton and Sporting Life's darts expert Chris Hammer to discuss the 'darting pyramid', the importance of averages, how to crack Q School and other factors such as choosing sponsors, nicknames and walk-on music.

How to Become a Darts Professional!

ALSO WATCH: BUILDING THE PERFECT DARTS PLAYER

Paul Nicholson joins Dom Newton and Chris Hammer to combine the talents of some of the greatest players past or present in an effort to create an unbeatable darting monster. We look at prolific 180 hitters, clinical finishers and show-stopping 100+ checkout merchants as well as other categories such as on nerves of steal, stage presence, crowd popularity and walk-on music.

BUILDING THE PERFECT DARTS PLAYER FROM 180 HITTING TO WALK ON MUSIC!