What Is 2011 BDO World Darts Championship

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 BDO World Darts Championship was held from January 8–16, 2011, at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, with Martin Adams winning the men's title and Trina Gulliver the women's title.

Key Facts

The tournament took place from January 8–16, 2011, at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, Surrey.
Martin Adams won the men's title by defeating Dean Winstanley 7–5 in sets in the final.
Trina Gulliver claimed her 10th women's world title by defeating Deta Hedman 2–0 in sets.
The event was organized by the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and sponsored by Lakeside.
A total of 32 players competed in the men's draw and 8 in the women's draw.

Overview

The 2011 BDO World Darts Championship was the 34th edition of the prestigious tournament, held annually at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, England. It marked a pivotal year in darts history, showcasing top amateur and semi-professional talent from around the world under the British Darts Organisation (BDO) banner.

Hosted from January 8 to 16, 2011, the championship featured both men's and women's competitions, drawing significant attention for its competitive depth and tradition. The event maintained its reputation as one of the most iconic tournaments outside the PDC circuit, with live coverage on BBC Two enhancing its visibility.

Location: The tournament was held at the Lakeside Country Club, a venue that hosted the BDO World Championship from 1986 to 2019, cementing its legacy in darts culture.
Men's Champion:Martin Adams won his second BDO world title by defeating Dean Winstanley 7–5 in sets, following his first win in 2007.
Women's Champion:Trina Gulliver secured her 10th consecutive women's world title, defeating Deta Hedman 2–0 in the final, extending her dominance in women's darts.
Format: The men's draw included 32 players competing in a knockout format, while the women's side featured 8 players in a single-elimination bracket.
Prize Money: The total prize fund was £200,000, with the men's winner receiving £100,000 and the women's champion earning £15,000.

Men's and Women's Tournament Structure

The 2011 BDO World Darts Championship followed a traditional structure, emphasizing fairness and competitive balance across both divisions. Matches were played in sets using the best-of format, with legs won by the first to 501, double finish.

Men's Format: The men's competition used a best-of-5 sets format in early rounds, progressing to best-of-7, best-of-9, and ultimately best-of-13 in the final.
Women's Format: The women's tournament featured a best-of-3 sets format throughout, with each set requiring three legs to win.
Scoring Rules: All matches required a double finish to win a leg, adhering to standard darts rules used in professional play.
Seeding: The top 16 players were seeded based on BDO rankings, ensuring higher-ranked players avoided early-round clashes.
Qualification: Players qualified via regional tournaments, international rankings, and wildcards, with representation from 12 countries in the men's draw.
Match Duration: The final lasted 2 hours and 42 minutes, with Martin Adams averaging 89.43, the highest of the tournament.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of key metrics between the 2011 BDO and PDC World Championships highlights structural and financial differences:

Category	BDO 2011	PDC 2011
Organizing Body	British Darts Organisation	Professional Darts Corporation
Prize Fund	£200,000	£1,000,000
Men's Winner Prize	£100,000	£200,000
Champion	Martin Adams	Adrian Lewis
Location	Lakeside, Frimley Green	Alexandra Palace, London

The BDO championship maintained a strong traditional appeal, but the PDC event offered significantly higher prize money and global exposure. Despite this, the BDO tournament remained a crucial platform for emerging talent and national representation, especially from Europe and Commonwealth nations.

Why It Matters

The 2011 BDO World Darts Championship played a vital role in preserving the amateur roots of the sport while showcasing elite-level competition. It provided a pathway for players outside the PDC circuit to gain recognition and helped sustain darts' popularity on the BBC.

Legacy: The event continued the 34-year tradition of the BDO World Championship, reinforcing its status as a cornerstone of non-PDC darts.
Player Development: Many PDC professionals, including James Wade, began their careers at Lakeside, highlighting its role as a talent incubator.
Women's Representation: Trina Gulliver's 10th title underscored the importance of gender inclusion in professional darts.
Media Coverage: Broadcast by BBC Two, the tournament reached millions, maintaining darts as a staple of British winter sports programming.
Global Reach: Players from the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia participated, emphasizing the international appeal of the BDO circuit.
Cultural Impact: The Lakeside venue became iconic, symbolizing tradition and grassroots excellence in a rapidly commercializing sport.

While the BDO eventually ceased operations in 2020, the 2011 championship remains a significant milestone in darts history, reflecting a transitional era before the PDC's dominance.