Have you ever wondered how darts players climb the ranks and earn their spot among the best? Whether you’re a casual fan or an aspiring player, understanding the ranking system can change the way you watch or play the game.
Your favorite pros don’t just get ranked by luck—they earn their positions through a carefully designed process that measures skill, consistency, and prize winnings over time. You’ll discover exactly how darts players get ranked, what factors influence their standing, and how this system shapes the competitive world of darts.
Ready to unlock the secrets behind the leaderboard? Keep reading to find out!
Ranking Systems In Darts
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Order of Merit ranks players by the total prize money they win over two years. This system shows who performs best in major tournaments. The more money a player wins, the higher they rank.
The Players Championship Order of Merit ranks players based on their earnings in Players Championship events only. It helps identify top players in these specific competitions.
Other ranking systems include regional and youth rankings. These give chances to new and local players to rise up. Each system uses different rules but mostly looks at performance and prize money.
Prize Money And Rankings
The darts ranking system is based on prize money earned over two years. Every player’s total prize money from the last 24 months counts. This helps keep the rankings fair and current.
Major tournaments have a big impact on rankings because they offer higher prize money. Winning or doing well in these events can boost a player’s position quickly.
Minor events offer smaller prize money. While they add to the total, their effect on rankings is less strong. Players often use minor events to gain points and improve slowly.
| Type of Event | Prize Money Impact | Ranking Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Major Tournaments | High | Strong and fast ranking changes |
| Minor Events | Low | Small, gradual ranking improvements |
How Rankings Affect Players
Rankings help players qualify for big tournaments. Higher-ranked players get invited first. This makes it easier to enter top events.
Seeding gives top players a better spot in the draw. They avoid facing other strong players early. This increases their chances of reaching final rounds.
Sponsors prefer players with good rankings. Higher ranks often lead to better deals and more earnings. This helps players focus on their sport and improve.
Climbing The Rankings
Lower ranked players must focus on consistent performance to climb the rankings. Playing well in every match helps build confidence and earn points steadily. Taking part in ranking events is crucial. These events offer chances to gain valuable points that affect world rankings.
Players should aim to enter as many ranking tournaments as possible. Each event offers prize money that counts towards the official rankings. Winning or reaching later stages in tournaments boosts a player’s position.
Staying calm and focused during matches improves results. Practicing regularly and learning from mistakes helps maintain good form. Players need patience and persistence. Improvement takes time but pays off in rankings.
Rating Systems Vs. Prize Money Rankings
DARTSLIVE Rating measures a player’s skill based on performance. It uses a points system to show your current level. The more you play and win, the higher your rating climbs. This system updates after each game, reflecting your true skill quickly. It helps players see their progress and compare with others globally.
Rankings based on prize money depend on tournament earnings over two years. Big wins raise your rank more than small ones. This rewards players who perform well in important events. But it may not reflect current form if past wins still count.
| Aspect | Rating System | Prize Money Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Points from game results | Money won in tournaments |
| Updates | After every game | After major events |
| Reflects Current Skill? | Yes, quickly adjusts | No, can lag behind |
| Rewards Consistency | Yes, all matches count | More for big wins |
| Fairness | Fair for all skill levels | Favors top players |

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Becoming A Professional Player
Joining the PDC Circuit is a key step for darts players. This circuit is where professionals compete regularly. Players must earn a Tour Card to join. Tour Cards give the right to enter PDC events for two years. To get a card, players attend Qualifying School (Q-School). Q-School is a tough competition where only the best succeed.
Building a career means playing many tournaments and earning prize money. The more money players win, the higher they rank. Rankings are based on prize money over the last two years. Good performance helps players get invited to bigger events. This leads to more prize money and better ranking.
Common Misconceptions
Many people think ranking means skill, but that is not always true. Rankings mainly show how well a player did in recent tournaments.
Short-term good or bad results can greatly affect rankings. A player who wins a lot in a short time might jump high in rankings. But this does not always mean they are the best player overall.
Rankings often depend on prize money won. This system has limits. Players who play fewer tournaments or smaller events may have lower ranks despite strong skills. Also, luck in big prize events can change ranks quickly.

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Future Of Darts Rankings
Ranking criteria may shift to include more than just prize money. Points for consistency and player performance could gain importance. This change would reward steady players, not only those winning big prizes.
New technology can help track player skill and accuracy better. Advanced stats and video analysis might become part of the rating system. This helps create a fair and detailed player ranking.
The sport is growing worldwide, with new players from many countries joining. This global expansion may lead to separate regional rankings. It could also change how international events affect player standings.

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Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Get Ranked In Darts?
Darts players get ranked based on prize money won in ranking tournaments over two years. The PDC Order of Merit tracks earnings to determine player rankings. Higher earnings lead to better rankings, reflecting recent performance and consistency in professional events.
How Is Luke Littler World No. 1?
Luke Littler became world No. 1 by winning the most prize money in ranking darts tournaments over two years.
How Do Dart Ratings Work?
Dart ratings rank players by total prize money won in ranking tournaments over two years. Higher earnings mean higher rankings.
How Do Darts Players Go Pro?
Darts players turn pro by competing in local and national tournaments. They earn rankings through prize money. Joining the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) circuit and winning qualifiers helps secure a pro tour card. Consistent performance in ranking events advances their professional status.
Conclusion
Darts players earn their rankings by winning prize money in key tournaments. Rankings reflect performance over the past two years. The more prize money a player wins, the higher they rank. This system rewards consistency and success in competitions. Understanding this helps fans follow their favorite players better.
Rankings can change often, making darts exciting to watch. Every match counts toward a player’s position on the list. Keep an eye on tournaments to see rankings shift. This clear ranking method keeps the sport fair and competitive.