Dutch Open Darts Regulations

1. General

• Below you will find some additional and specific rules that apply during the Dutch Open Darts. For all other situations, the General Game Regulations of the Nederlandse Darts Bond (NDB) apply.
• The Dutch Open Darts is a WDF registered and ranked tournament. It is the largest open ranked ‘Platinum’ tournament on the WDF calendar. Players must be eligible to play according to the WDF rules (dartswdf.com).
• Due to the number of participants and the TV lanes, the rules of the Dutch Open Darts differ in some respects from the WDF rules. These deviations are approved by the WDF.
• In the event of any conflict between the Dutch Open Darts regulations and the WDF regulations, the Dutch Open Darts regulations shall prevail.
• The Dutch Open Darts is held under the supervision of the NDB. All decisions (in any area) and interpretations of the rules are made in accordance with the competition regulations of the NDB and are binding.
• The regulations are subject to change. In case of doubt or matters not covered by these regulations, the tournament organization will decide.

2. Participation and Registration

• Players must be at least 14 years old on finals day to participate in the senior singles, pairs, and the warm-up tournament.
• Youth players who participating in the senior tournament and who are still active on Sunday in a floor tournament are not allowed to participate in the Dutch Open Darts Youth.
  If you registered for both and cannot take part in the youth tournament because of this rule, your youth entry fee will be refunded.
• Participants in the youth tournament must be 17 years old or younger on January 1st of the calendar year.
• Youth players younger than 14 on the day of the Dutch Open Darts Youth may participate in the Open Under 14 or Open Under 18 category.
• Participation in paradarts tournaments is subject to specific conditions (see section 7).
• You do not need to be a member of the NDB or any other darts organization to participate in the Dutch Open Darts.
• Registration is valid only after payment. Cancellation with refund of the entry fee is possible up to one day before the registration deadline.

3. Tournament Structure, Format and Match Procedures

• The Dutch Open Darts is played using a knockout format. Click here for the tournament format.
• Prize money is determined in accordance with the WDF. Click here for prize money details.
• Seeding is based on the WDF Main Table as of the last Wednesday before registration closes. Players are seeded according to WDF rules but may not appear in the first match on their sheet. The first byes are assigned to seeded players. Remaining byes are evenly distributed in random locations on the sheets.
• Before a pairs match, the pair must decide which player will start all legs.
• In pairs matches, only the player designated to start all legs throws for the bull.
• Before the match, players throw for the bull. The player listed first on the bracket and/or DartConnect throws first. The winner of the bull starts all odd-numbered legs. For a deciding leg, the player who won the initial bull throw starts; a new bull throw does not take place.
• Each player is entitled to nine practice darts on their assigned board before the match starts.
• All score-checking requests must be made before the player throws again.
• Matches will not be announced. Your match time and board number are listed on your player card and/or on DartConnect. You must report to your assigned board 10 minutes before your match starts. If you don’t report in time, you’ll lose the game in a regulatory way.
• The organization reserves the right to adjust the schedule.

4. Marking/Scoring

• DartConnect and the tablet next to the dartboard indicate whether the winner or loser marks the next match.
• During all youth and paradarts tournaments, the loser marks the next round.
• On Thursday (Warm-up tournaments) and Sunday (Open Singles), the loser marks the next round.
• On Friday and Saturday, the winner marks the next round up to the last quarterfinal on the sheet (i.e. the fourth match from the sheet final); from that point, the loser marks.
• Failure to mark in the warm-up tournament may result in disqualification from the rest of the tournament or exclusion from the Saturday singles or next year’s Dutch Open Darts.
• Failure to mark in the singles tournament may result in disqualification from the rest of the tournament or exclusion from next year’s Dutch Open Darts.
• In the pairs tournament, if marking is neglected, both players may be disqualified from the rest of the tournament or from participation in Saturday’s singles or next year’s Dutch Open Darts.

5. Conduct and Supervision

• Match-fixing (deliberate losing, manipulation, or cheating) is strictly prohibited.
• Players must play all matches from the first round through the final that may be recorded or broadcast live via livestream or television. Withdrawing or deliberately losing a match is a breach of these rules. In such cases, the NDB holds the player(s) responsible for any (financial) consequences, and rights to trophies and/or prize money will be forfeited.
• The use of drugs and doping is not tolerated. Violations lead to immediate disqualification from the entire event. All participants are subject to Doping Authority regulations and testing.
• Consumption of (alcoholic) drinks is prohibited in the entire playing area. First offense: warning. Second offense: immediate disqualification.
• All participants must follow these regulations and the instructions of officials. Non-compliance will result in disqualification.
• Photos and videos may be taken during the tournament for promotional purposes. By registering or purchasing a ticket, players and spectators agree to this.

6. Dress Code and Advertising

• Only for stage matches on Sunday does the general NDB dress code apply. There is no dress code for other matches. However, club-related clothing (football, motorcycle clubs, etc.) is strictly prohibited at all times.
• Advertising rules apply as outlined in the NDB General Game Regulations.
• The organization reserves the right to refuse promotional materials to protect the interests of (main) sponsors.
• All players appearing on the stage must wear a sponsor sticker provided by the organization.

7. Paradarts and Special Categories

• Separate tournaments are organized for paradarters. More information can be found here.
• A player may only participate in a category if their presence does not affect the playing conditions. Players meeting the paradarts criteria may choose to play in regular categories instead, provided they play on a regular board with standard height and oche, without extra space, and are mobile enough to retrieve their own darts and play in the standard venue. For this reason, a wheelchair user cannot participate in the regular tournament.
• Players cannot participate in both the regular tournament and the paradarts tournament, as both are played on the same day.
• The organization reserves the right to refuse a player or assign them to a different category. The organization may also require players to bring a support person during the event.

8. Prizes and Administration

• If a player is not present at the prize ceremony, the right to receive trophies and/or prize money is forfeited.
• If you win prize money, it will be transferred to your account. Therefore, it is very important that you complete the prize money form correctly during the Dutch Open Darts. This form can be obtained from a Floor Official or picked up at the control desk, hotel desk, or Bonte Wever reception. You are personally responsible for completing and submitting the form correctly. It can be handed in at the Bonte Wever reception on all tournament days.
• By registering, participants agree to the promotional and sponsorship policies of the NDB.