About the PDC World Championship
In 1994 some high profile players including all previous winners of the who were still active in the game formed the WDC (now PDC), and began to organise their own World Championships. won the inaugural competition. There are still two versions of the World Championship and there is often dispute and debate amongst players, organisations and viewers as to which event is the more prestigious.
The PDC event boasts the largest prize fund of any darts competition, currently at £600,000 in total with £100,000 for the winner. The PDC and sponsors Ladbrokes have announced that prize money will reach £1 million by 2010 with the winner set to collect £200,000.
2008 Betting
The man from Stoke-on-Trent, Phil 'The Power' Taylor, has picked up the crown eight times in the past decade and 11 times in all. He'll be the bookmakers' favourite, as usual, but faces another stiff challenge from last year's winner Raymond van Barneveld.
The big Dutchman switched from the BDO organisation two seasons ago and will fancy his chances of once again keeping the 'The Power' at bay.
Taylor will, however, be odds-on favourite like most years, so expect plenty of beers, banter and silly wigs at the Alexandra Palace plus a stack of betting opportunities.