Darts matches sometimes end in unexpected ways, and one term that can appear is “walkover.” If you are new to the sport, it may not be obvious what that means or how it affects a tournament.
Understanding walkovers can help explain why a player might progress without a dart being thrown, how that is shown on official records, and what it could mean for rankings and prize money.
This blog post breaks down the basics, then looks at real examples so you can see how walkovers work in practice.
Keep reading to learn about how walkovers in darts happen and what they mean.
What Does Walkover Mean in Darts?
In darts, a walkover is when a player is awarded the match because their scheduled opponent cannot take part. Common reasons include illness, injury, travel problems or other personal circumstances. The player who is present and ready to play moves on, and no darts are thrown.
A walkover happens before a match begins. If a player starts a match and then cannot continue, that is usually recorded as a retirement rather than a walkover, and the score up to that point remains part of the record.
If you choose to bet on darts, settlement rules for unplayed matches may vary by operator. Check the terms so you know how a walkover would be handled on your bet.
How Is a Walkover Recorded in Official Scores?
In official records, a walkover is normally shown clearly beside the advancing player’s name, often as “W/O” or “walkover.” Because no legs or sets are played, there are no scoring details and no averages attached to that round.
Brackets and results pages simply show that the player has progressed. In knockouts, the draw moves on to the next round as scheduled. In group formats, the handling may differ. Some events award the usual match points to the player who is present and may apply a standard result for tie-break purposes, while others remove the fixture entirely from the table. The event rules decide which approach is used.
So, if the record shows a player has advanced without a scoreline, the next question is how that might affect rankings and prize money.
Do Walkovers Affect Player Rankings or Prize Money?
Walkovers may affect both, but the details come down to the competition’s rules. Most tours allocate ranking points and prize money based on the round a player reaches. On that basis, a walkover counts as a win for progression, even though no statistics are recorded for legs, sets or averages.
For the player who withdraws or cannot compete, there are usually no further ranking points or prize earnings from that stage. Their position stays as it was at the time they pulled out.
Group formats and tie-breaks may add some nuance. If standings are decided by points and then leg difference, organisers might either apply a standard scoreline to the walkover or remove the match from the calculations. Each event sets this out in advance, which is why two tournaments might treat the same situation slightly differently.
Because rankings shape seedings for future events, a walkover might indirectly influence later draws. It will not boost a player’s stats, but it may allow them to move into a round that carries more points or prize money.
With that in mind, it might help to see how this plays out in real tournaments.
Real Match Examples of Walkovers in Darts
Walkovers have appeared across major events. At the PDC World Darts Championship in 2021, Gabriel Clemens progressed after Willem Mandigers was unable to compete due to illness, so the match was awarded as a walkover and Clemens advanced to the next round.
A similar situation occurred at the 2019 UK Open, when Gary Anderson moved ahead after Corey Cadby withdrew with injury. The result was recorded as a walkover, and Anderson’s name went through on the bracket without a scoreline.
In 2018, at the Grand Slam of Darts, Glen Durrant received a walkover when his scheduled opponent could not appear for a group stage match. The tournament awarded the fixture accordingly and updated the group table under its published rules.
Walkovers are part of how tournaments keep schedules on track when a player cannot play. Knowing what they mean, how they are recorded and how different formats treat them may make following results and storylines much clearer.
If you choose to bet on darts, always follow responsible gambling practices and never wager more than you are willing to lose. Remember that gambling is intended for entertainment purposes only, and it may not provide a reliable way to make money. If you feel that gambling is affecting your well-being or finances, seek help from support services.
