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Well, like many punters out there, Day 3 of the UK Open was unkind to say the least. I’m happy I was off the shocking loss of The Power to the amazing form that The Asset has shown on the big stage, but Barney and Anderson cost me about half of my match winnings so far in the tourney. But the massive choke jobs from The Flying Scotsman and Co Stompe ruined my day, I’m a winner if Anderson doesn’t give up a great position, and I’m only losing pocket change if Stompe doesn’t let Webster win 5 on the trot to steal a win from 8-4. Those are the breaks though, I’m sure I’ll steal some matches

We are going to another double dip for the 4th and Final day of the UK Open, another early start for us 7 US darts fans, and what should be a most interesting Semis and Finals in the afternoon.

On the plus side, I did nail two more perfect scorelines with The Power winning 9-3 over Priestley and Barney going 9-4 over Smith. That’s 4 perfect scorelines out of 21 scoreline predictions, not too shabby.

Anyway, let’s get right to the Quarterfinals. I’m short on time, so forgive my brevity, but we got one last day to make yesterday’s money back, no time to waste.

UK Open picks record so far: 14-9 (+2.13 units)

Denis Ovens -120 vs. Mark Hylton

Not a lot to separate these two as far as recent form goes, so I’m going to back the player I’ve always felt was the better of the two here, simple as that. I’m thinking The Heat wins a thriller. After all, something named the Heat has to win tomorrow, and I don’t like the version that is playing the Mavericks. That’s not funny? Damn.

Prediction: Ovens 10-8 Hylton

Mark Webster -175 vs. Robert Thornton

There was a point in time where I felt I could count on Mark Webster to lose matches. We called it the Premier League. But he seems to be feeling good, and every cut in we’ve seen of him has him throwing great darts. Thornton is no slouch, but Part did have 5 match darts to beat him, and he did only beat Osbourne 9-7 in the round of 16. I like this one a fair amount. I’d suggest a double bet on Webster if you enjoy bet ranges.

Prediction: Webster 10-5 Thornton (2 units!)

Dave Chisnall +100 vs. Wes Newton

Newton looked beast in destroying my favorite darts player, van Barneveld. Then again, Barney loves to get his ass kicked. Newton was checking out like few others, but Chisnall’s power scoring is going to be hard to handle. Chisnall has earned my respect, yet for some reason my gut is telling me I need to see Newton produce the kind of form he’s shown on the big stage again before I think he’s worth laying a price with. I think I got the right side here, but it’s my weakest call of the 4 matches.

Prediction: Chisnall 10-7 Newton

James Wade -175 vs. Paul Nicholson

Two things: Firstly, this notion that yesterday was some watershed day were the old guard of darts were pushed aside for the new breed of player to take over makes me laugh. Call me stubborn, but I want my tried and trusted players when I’m picking my team for the upcoming darts war. And secondly, Nicholson is absolutely taxed after a massive day in beating the 2 best dart players in the world in one day over a medium format. You could see his exhaustion mentally after two epic matches that were emotional roller coasters, I don’t think he can recover from that. And a bonus angle here, will Nicholson hesitate to act like a jackass on stage and play head games with Wade after Wade’s well documented mental problems have come to light? Wade’s recent medical issues may just throw Nicholson off his game for a change, but if not, I expect James Wade will be in the odd position of actually having the crowd on his side. Wade looks good enough to me, and we all know the 6 time major winner and former UK Open champ has the game to win. Give me my trusted name in this contest, The Machine is the favorite for a reason, I expect him to prevail.

Prediction: Wade 10-8 Nicholson

Tomorrow should be a belter! Enjoy the darts, and again I will try to get you some quick predictions between the rounds for the semis and Finals. Good Luck!

Midday: 3-1 (+3 units with the double)

Semis and Finals:

Prediction: James Wade to win the tournament (+120) (2 units)

Wade should be able to get past Webster, who has yet to face a player on Wade’s level. I kinda fancy Ovens to get Newton, but either way take the only player with positive experiences this late in majors to win his 7th title and prove why he is the 2nd most successful player in the history of the PDC.

Matches:

James Wade -188 vs. Mark Webster

Well, if I like him to win it all…

Predicton: Wade 10-6 Webster

FINAL RESULTS:

Well, Wade makes a great Semis comeback and finishes off a great UK Open and a solid week of betting.

Match picks: 18-10 (+6.13 units) (+4.13 on 1 unit bets, +2 on two unit bet)

Future picks: +3.2 won, -6 lost, -2.8 overall

Grand total: +3.33 units, $333 for a $100 average bet. Any time you can win betting a tournament Phil Taylor loses in and you are me, you are very happy.

See you guys for the World Matchplay starting July 16th!

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