Latest news with #Littler
New York Post
19 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
2025 U.S. Darts Masters odds, predictions: Target these two best bets Friday
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. The biggest party in sports descends on the Big Apple this weekend. The 2025 U.S. Darts Masters, the lone PDC tournament held in the States, gets underway Friday at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. The tournament features 16 players – eight from the PDC and eight North American qualifiers – vying for the title. Luke Littler, the current World Champion, is the betting favorite to win the tournament. 'The Nuke' sits at +175 odds at bet365, putting him just ahead of World No. 1 Luke Humphries, who is currently priced at +350. Gerwyn 'Ice Man' Price (+550), Michael 'MVG' van Gerwen (+650) and Stephen 'The Bullet' Bunting (+900) are the only other players tagged with single-digit odds for the tournament. The format for the tournament heavily favors the PDC players, as they play a North American qualifier in Round 1, but we have seen some surprises on the stage at MSG in the past. Two years ago Jeff Smith, who was a triple-digit long shot before the tournament, made it all the way to the final before losing to van Gerwen. Last year's winner, Rob Cross, had 16/1 odds before the tournament started. Welsh darts player Gerwyn Price celebrates. AP 2025 U.S. Darts Masters picks Gerwyn Price (+550, bet365) A former world champion, Gerwyn Price, is having a resurgent 2025 season after he fell off the boil a bit in 2024. The Welshman came up short in the Premier League semifinals against Littler, but he was one of the most consistent players throughout the competition and was a finalist in the 2025 World Cup of Darts earlier this month. Of the players in the single-digits, Price has the most value to win this tournament. Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps Damon Heta (12/1, bet365) Most of the elite players in the world can handle a big stage, but none may love it more than Damon 'The Heat' Heta. In a sport full of massive personalities, Heta may be the biggest of the lot. The Australian is still searching for his first solo major title (he did win the 2022 World Cup of Darts with Simon Whitlock), but he's been knocking on the door for quite a while. Heta should relish the opportunity to play in front of a raucous crowd at MSG this weekend, and he will benefit from a draw that will see him avoid Littler until the semifinals. Why Trust New York Post Betting Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Luke Littler makes bold World Cup venue call after savage boos in Frankfurt
The World Champion hopes for a change in the future after being hounded in Frankfurt Luke Littler says he hopes the Darts World Cup venue is moved after he suffered savage flak in Frankfurt. The Wold Champion and his team-mate Luke Humphries was hounded by home fans during their nightmare opening-game loss to hosts Germany. Littler says the overreaction to defeat was crazy with accusations of lack of togetherness between the England duo and legend Dennis Priestley stating the pair had let their country down. The Nuke had his say on the matter during build-up to the US Darts Masters and, speaking to Online Darts, stated: 'Crazy. Didn't turn up at the same time, didn't sit next to each other but I'm sure I saw Luke's interview before we do our own thing, I don't want to go to the venue four and a half hours before. That's how much time he needed. For myself I need two and a half hours. We didn't click but I'm sure we will be back again. 'Germany played two group games, they were ready. But for myself, totally new stage, atmosphere. We knew what was coming. It didn't happen. But let's hope they move venues.' Littler's reaction came in the wake of colleague Humphries also taking time to give reasons behind the preparation and the notion that there was anything sinister in the fact the English dup didn't sit or practice together. Cool Hand said: 'There was a lot of talk about me and Luke not being a team. Coming from the horse's mouth, I can assure you we were a team. We didn't arrive at the same time because I said not to. I told Luke: Do your own thing. He gets there two hours before, I get there four. I need more practice, he doesn't. I said to Luke just do what you do, don't change for me. "We sat right by each other. He sat right beside me. So that stuff about not being a team was not true. We get along really well. It just didn't happen and that's it. That was the whole agreement. We didn't play horrifically, it just wasn't our best.' Littler is hoping to land the prize in New York and said: 'Obviously, I want to pick up another World Series title before the Finals, but the Matchplay, it didn't go to plan last year. The crowd last year were unbelievable. 'I've come a long way. There's still so many years. But the opportunities I'm getting at the minute coming to Madison Square Garden, it's unbelievable. It's growing in the States but I'm sure we will fill this in a few years to come. 'Last year was more of let's go and win the European titles, win the ProTour titles, the Premier League. I just wanted to say to everyone who said it was a fluke, shouldn't be ready for the Premier League and went onto win it. This year has been good so far, the Premier League didn't go to plan. Can settle and look forward to the second half of the year.'
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Struggling Luke Littler opponent could quit darts immediately after facing The Nuke in New York
Honest Jules van Dongen says darts will go in the case after New York games Stuggling Jules van Dongen could quit the game after his emotional clash with Luke Littler in New York. The Dutch-American star has already announced his is taking a temporary break after the US Darts Masters for a reset amidst struggles in the sport. Van Dongen has had plenty to deal with in recent times on-and-off the stages and has also hinted at retirement with the dreaded dartitis forcing him to learn to play with his opposite hand to try and prolong his career. The 34-year-old has also had to deal with both of his parents suffering illness and intends to take a step away from the sport after Madison Square Gardens. Van Dongen, who has been drawn to face Littler in the first round of the tournament in the Big Apple and is also set to feature in Saturday afternoon's North American Darts Championship with an opening tie against Stowe Buntz, said: "Once this run is over, the darts are going back in the case. It's time for a full reset. 'One day I say I'm not playing, the next I'm back in again. But for now, I'll be up there on the stage. Expectations are lower now and that actually helps. At the UK Open, not everyone realised how badly things were going. By now, it's pretty clear.' Van Dongen's mum and dad are finally scheduled to be in New York to see him on the MSG stage and facing The Nuke as he explained to 'They've been trying to come for three years. Covid stopped them the first time, then my dad tested positive, and last year my mum was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, she's now fully recovered. That alone makes this event unmissable for me.' Van Dongen's kids will also be in the crowds watching and he'd love to finish in style as he said: 'I just want to give it one last proper go. No pressure, no expectations, just me, my family and the stage at The Garden.' Littler is aware of the situation having made reference to the fact van Dongen is not having an easy time of it during his pre-tournament media briefing. The World Champion said: 'He's going through quite a lot at the minute.' The teenage sensation has his own reasons for wanting success as he aims to bounce back from the disappointment of the World Cup flop with Luke Humphries. Littler said: 'I'm feeling very, very confident. I've just had a family holiday in Spain, but now I'm here, I'll obviously practise before I play, but just trying to get another win here at the MSG. I think the first game in any tournament, it's always the biggest because you've got that winning feeling on stage and you know how to win. I just look forward to that.' 'Obviously me and Luke didn't play the best of darts [at World Cup], but now I'm on my own let's have some fun. There's plenty of darts left to be thrown in the second half of the year, which I'm looking forward to. 'The amount of majors that are involved at the minute, the amount of European tours that are left, but this would be really good to kickstart the second half of the season.'
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Luke Littler breaks post World Cup silence as issues Madison Square Garden vow
The World Champion insists he is is over the Frankfurt flop after a break in Spain Charged-up Luke Littler is flying solo again and ready to have some fun in New York. The Nuke is back in individual combat again following the nightmare loss at the World Cup alongside team-mate Luke Humphries. Littler was slaughtered by the German crowds during the event and also caned in the aftermath of the defeat making it an unpleasant experience. However, the teenager is refreshed from a break in Spain and ready to at Madison Square Garden in the US Darts Masters. Littler wants to forget the World Cup flop and said: 'Obviously me and Luke didn't play the best of darts. We didn't play too bad, very tough conditions, but now I'm on my own let's have some fun. "There's plenty of darts left to be thrown in the second half of the year, which I'm looking forward to. 'The amount of majors that are involved at the minute, the amount of European tours that are left, but this would be really good to kickstart the second half of the season.' Littler got himself away following the Frankfurt misery and is now preparing for a big crack at the second-half of the campaign. Following America, the next Major takes place in Blackpool at next month with The World Matchplay and the stream of huge events heading into the defence of his World crown back at the Alexandra Palace at the end of the year. Littler is gunning for Stateside success and kicks off his bid with a clash against PDC Tour Card Holder Jules van Dongen in the opening round with Michael van Gerwen also in the field. He said: 'I'm feeling very, very confident. I've just had a family holiday in Spain, but now I'm here, I'll obviously practise before I play. Obviously, he's not playing the best of darts. 'He's going through quite a lot at the minute, but just trying to get another win here at the MSG. I think the first game in any tournament, it's always the biggest because you've got that winning feeling on stage and you know how to win. I just look forward to that.' Littler, meanwhile, admits that he sees a day when the darts stars are showing off their skills in the main section of the iconic arena. As the sport continues to grow across the Atlantic, the audiences are going to grow and he believes a step-up will be coming soon. Littler said: 'Obviously it feels good. "I'm doing some media in the big arena, but I'm sure within a few years to come we'll be in here and we won't be in the little theatre. It's pretty much like the O2. 15,000/20,000, but the way the data is going at the minute and obviously it's getting bigger over here in the States, I'm sure we'll sell this out within a few years.'
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Luke Littler, 18, takes next step with Faith Millar as new girlfriend jets with him to New York for US Darts Masters
Littler will be hoping she can be his good luck charm in New York Little bit of faith Luke Littler, 18, takes next step with Faith Millar as new girlfriend jets with him to New York for US Darts Masters Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE LITTLER has been joined in the United States by girlfriend, Faith Millar. The Nuke has jetted out to the States before the US Darts Masters get underway tomorrow. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Luke Littler has taken the next step in his relationship with Faith Millar Credit: Getty 4 Faith was seen to have joined Littler in New York ahead of the US Darts Masters Credit: Instagram 4 Faith previously joined Littler on a family holiday to Spain earlier this month Credit: Instagram 4 The couple met in February Credit: Instagram Earlier this month the darts world champion revealed Faith was on holiday in Spain with his family. Littler's last outing at the oche saw him endure a disaster as he and world No1 Luke Humphries crashed out in the last 16 of the World Cup of Darts. But the teen prodigy will need to have faith his girlfriend can bring back his form at Madison Square Garden in New York. Taking to Instagram, Littler shared a picture of the pair together in New York City as they wore matching blue tops. READ MORE IN DARTS DUTCH COURAGE Michael Van Gerwen drops darts retirement plan hint after shock divorce Her jetting around to support him in his livelihood marks the next step in their relationship. Last year Littler took in an open-top bus parade as he made his debut at the US Darts Masters in round three of the World Series of Darts. Whether he opts for the same sight-seeing adventure with Faith remains to be seen. He went on to make the semi-final of the tournament, beating Canadian pair Matt Campbell and Jeff Smith before he was eliminated by iceman Gerwyn Price in a thrilling 7-6 clash. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Rob Cross - who has been disqualified as a director until June 2030 after his company failed to pay more than £450,000 in taxes - was crowned the winner of the event. Littler, Humphries, Cross and Price make up half of the PDC contingent in town for the tournament, with Stephen Bunting, Michael van Gerwen, Damon Heta and Nathan Aspinall - fresh from throwing a dart straight at a terrified influencer - also taking part. Luke Littler launches new McDonald's burger as darts sensation, 18, adds fast food giants to lucrative brand deals The Warrington teen won two events during the World Series of Darts last year, but is yet to earn an event win this year. Littler was first pictured alongside 19-year-old beautician Faith in late March, with the pair becoming inseparable since they met in February. Faith is from Wigan, which is just 15 miles from Littler's hometown. An insider also revealed that Faith had met Littler's parents. Littler previously dated Eloise Milburn, who cheered him on during his World Darts Championship debut in 2023/24. However, the pair split up after 10 months as they struggled to make time for one another.
