PROFESSIONAL DARTS CORPORATION

2008 ORDER OF MERIT

1. Eligibility

1.1 - All players must be a member of the Professional Dart Players Association (PDPA) to feature in the Professional Darts Corporation's (PDC) Order of Merit.

1.2 - All players who qualify for the televised stages of the following events must be a full member of the PDPA: World Darts Championship, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, UK Open (excluding 32 Pub Qualifiers), Las Vegas Desert Classic, European Championship, Players Championship Finals.

1.3 - All players must sign and accept the PDC Players Contract and agree to abide by the Rules of the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) before being allowed to participate in any PDC organised event.

1.4 - Any player who is not in good financial or disciplinary standing with the DRA, PDC or the PDPA or with companies involved with the PDPA (such as recommended travel agents) will not be allowed to participate in any event until such time as they are in good standing.

2. Order of Merit

The PDC operates an Order of Merit, based on prize money won in its events. The breakdown of this prize money is as follows.

2.1 - Prize Money allocation as follows:

Sky Sports Premier Events

2007/08 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship

Winner	Runner-Up	Semi-Finalists	Quarter-Finalists	Last 16	Last 32	Last 64	Prelim Rd (x4)	PDPA Qualifiers	Total
£100,000	£50,000	£22,500	£15,000	£10,500	£7,000	£4,000	£10,000	£16,000	£605,000

2008/09 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championship

Winner	Runner-Up	Semi-Finalists	Quarter-Finalists	Last 16	Last 32	Last 64	Prelim Rd (x4)	PDPA Qualifiers	Total
£125,000	£60,000	£30,000	£20,000	£12,000	£8,000	£5,000	£10,000	£16,000	£735,000

2008 Stan James World Matchplay

Winner	Runner-Up	Semi-Finalists	Quarter-Finalists	Last 16	Last 32	Total
£60,000	£30,000	£17,000	£12,000	£8,000	£4,000	£300,000

2008 Sky Poker World Grand Prix

Winner	Runner-Up	Semi-Finalists	Quarter-Finalists	Last 16	Last 32	Total
£50,000	£25,000	£14,500	£10,000	£6,750	£3,250	£250,000

2008 Blue Square UK Open Televised Finals

Winner	Runner-Up	Semi-Finalists	Quarter-Finalists	Last 16	Last 32	Last 64	Total
£35,000	£15,000	£10,000	£5,000	£3,000	£2,000	£1,000	£178,000

2008 Las Vegas Desert Classic

Winner	Runner-Up	Semi-Finalists	Quarter-Finalists	Last 16	Last 32	Qualifiers Total	Total
£20,000	£10,000	£7,000	£5,000	£3,000	£2,000	£6,400	£126,400

Other Premier Events

2008 US Open (see point 2.3 - these amounts are for Order of Merit purposes)

Winner	Runner-Up	Semi-Finalists	Quarter-Finalists	Last 16	Last 32	Last 64	Total
£12,500	£7,500	£5,000	£4,000	£3,000	£1,500	£1,000	£126,000

2008 German Darts Championship (see point 2.3 - these amounts are for Order of Merit purposes)

Winner	Runner-Up	Semi-Finalists	Quarter-Finalists	Last 16	Last 32	Last 64	Total
£18,518	£8,888	£4,444	£2,222	£1,037	£629	£333	£74,198

2008 European Championship (see point 2.3 - these amounts are for Order of Merit purposes)

Winner	Runner-Up	Semi-Finalists	Quarter-Finalists	Last 16	Last 32	Total
£50,000	£25,000	£12,500	£8,500	£4,000	£2,000	£200,000**

2009 Players Championship Finals

Winner	Runner-Up	Semi-Finalists	Quarter-Finalists	Last 16	Last 32	Total
£50,000	£25,000	£12,500	£8,500	£4,000	£2,000	£200,000**

Pro Tour Events

Blue Square UK Open Regional Finals

Winner	Runner-Up	Semi-Finalists	Quarter-Finalists	Last 16	Last 32	Last 64	Total
£6,000	£3,000	£1,600	£800	£400	£200	£100	£25,000

PDPA Players Championship Events

Winner	Runner-Up	Semi-Finalists	Quarter-Finalists	Last 16	Last 32	Last 64	Total
£5,000	£2,500	£1,250	£600	£300	£150	£75	£19,600*

NOTE 1

* £400 per PDPA Players Championship event is reserved for a nine-dart finish. Should this not be won in the first tournament, this would be carried over to make an £800 prize in tournament two, and so on. The total carried over to the first PDPA Players Championship event of 2008 (Gibraltar - Saturday) was £10,400. Once the prize fund has been won, it will revert to £400 for the next Players Championship event.

Any full PDPA member who hits a nine-dart finish at a PDPA Players Championship event shall be entitled to a share of the prize fund available for the feat at the start of that event.

For the five Sky Sports Premier Events there will be a £5,000 prize fund for any player achieving a nine-dart leg.

If this is not achieved during an event it will roll over to the next. The total carried over to the 2008 Blue Square UK Open Televised Finals was £25,000.

In the event of more than one player completing the feat at any point during the event the prize money will be divided pro rata based on the number of occasions on which the feat has been achieved.

To clarify: if one player achieves the feat twice and another once, the player who has achieved it twice will be entitled to a two-third share of the prize fund, regardless of the stages of the tournament when he achieved the feat. This prize fund does not count towards any Order of Merit.

** Also includes £2,000 highest check-out prize per event. Should two or more players tie for this prize, the total shall be divided pro rata amongst the number of players who perform the feat - i.e. if one player achieves the highest check-out twice and another once, then the amount shall still be split on a two-thirds/one-third basis.

2.2 - All events will be categorised at the discretion of the PDC Board, following consultation with the PDPA.

The PDC Board will have final power of veto over the tournament schedule. Any additional overseas tournaments staged by the PDC will be categorised at the discretion of the PDC Board again after consultation with the PDPA.

2.3 - Prize money won in all PDC ranked tournaments determine a player's standing in the Order of Merit. Prize money will be displayed in UK£. For those events which are paid in other currencies, a standard conversion rate will apply for all 2008 events for the benefit of the Order of Merit only: UK£1 = US$2; UK£1 = Euro1.35; UK£1 = AUS$2.25.

Where a tournament prize money is paid in a local currency as opposed to UK£ the conversion rate will be determined by the published rate on www.xe.com at 9am (local time) on the morning of the tournament starting. However, the amount of prize money recorded on the Order of Merit will correspond to the standard exchange rates listed above. This is to ensure a player is not unfairly penalised for the economic fluctuations of a currency's value over the course of a 12 month period.

Any other overseas events subsequently added to the calendar will be subject to a standard exchange rate which will be announced at the time of event.

2.3 - The Order of Merit is calculated on prize money won by players over a two-year period. When the anniversary (meaning calendar date) of the prize money won during 2006 is reached, this prize money will be removed.

Prize money won during 2008 will be added to a player's total as it is won.

If prize money has been won at a Tournament in 2006 or 2007 which is no longer played, this prize money will come off a player's total on the second anniversary of when the original tournament was played.

If a tournament within the PDC ranking list moves its date, the prize money will come off on the anniversary of the original event or on the new date, whichever is earlier.

For the avoidance of doubt, cut off dates shall be designated as being the final day of any particular event.

2.4 - The tournaments ranked in 2008 will be as per the list published in Bulletin, which is subject to amendments. An up to date list is published on www.planetdarts.tv in the Calendar section.

2.5 - An official Order of Merit will be issued after every PDC ranked event, and published on www.planetdarts.tv. The Order of Merit will also be sent to every PDPA member through Bulletin.

2.6 - Invitations and seedings to events will be based on the Order of Merit at the closing date for entries for the tournament in question.

Invitations, seedings and structures for PDC Sky Sports Premier Events in 2008 will be based on the Order of Merit and are played according to the following criteria:

2008/09 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship - This will be played with a field of 68 players: the top 32 in the PDC Order of Merit at December 1 2008 (seeds); plus 16 PDPA members (see below) and 20 International Qualifiers, to be determined by the PDC in consultation with the PDPA.

The allocation of the 16 places for PDPA members will be as follows: the top eight players in the Players Championship events between January 2 - 10 November 10 2008 who have not already qualified by virtue of being in the PDC Order of Merit Top 32, will also gain a place in this event.

A further eight players will come from a PDPA qualifier to be staged on December 6 2008.

2008 Stan James World Matchplay - This will be played with a field of 32 players: the top 16 players in PDC Order of Merit at July 7 2008 (seeds); plus 16 PDPA members.

The 16 PDPA places will be allocated to the Top 16 players in the Players Championship Order of Merit who have not already qualified. This is based on all Players Championship events from January 2 - July 7 2008.

2008 Sky Poker World Grand Prix - This will be played with a field of 32 players: the top 16 players in the PDC Order of Merit at September 22 2008 (top eight seeded); plus 12 PDPA members and four 'home' PDPA members.

The remaining 16 places will be allocated as follows:

Top 12 players who have not already qualified from the Players Championship Order of Merit at September 22 2008.

The top four residents of the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland from the Players Championship Order of Merit at September 22 2008 who have competed in at least six Players Championship events (players must have been in residence on the island of Ireland for at least 12 months prior to the cut off date).

2008 Las Vegas Desert Classic - This will be played with a field of 32 players: the top 12 players in the PDC Order of Merit at June 9 2008 (top eight seeded); plus three USA players from a specified ranking list based on a number of US-based events and the top ranked Canadian male based on NDFC qualifier programme; plus 16 qualifiers.

The 16 qualifiers will win through qualifying tournaments staged in Las Vegas on June 30 and July 1, with eight players to qualify from each day's play. These qualifiers are open to all players.

For the first televised round the 16 "pre-qualifiers" will be drawn against the 16 who qualify in Las Vegas and the tournament will proceed in bracket order with the eight seeds in regular draw positions for the first round draw.

2008 Blue Square UK Open (Televised Finals) - Top 96 players (plus ties) in UK Open Order of Merit following the completion of the eight Regional Finals. In addition there will be 32 players who have qualified through the Amateur Qualifiers. The format is explained in Part 4.

2008 European Championship - This will be played with a field of 32 players:

The top 16 in the PDC Order of Merit on October 13 2008, plus

The top eight players in the Players Championship Order of Merit who have not already qualified, the top four players in the Continental Europe Order of Merit (non-UK/Ireland players playing in Benelux/German events) and top two players in the GDC Rankings following the Players Championship in Dinslaken on October 25 2008, plus

Two qualifiers from a qualifying tournament to be staged on Sunday October 26 2008 in Dinslaken.

2009 Players Championship Finals - This will be played with a field of 32 players: the top 32 players in the Players Championship Order of Merit on December 31 2008.

2.7 - Any ties in positions for seeding or invitation will be decided in the following way:

a) The player who has assimilated the most prize money over the previous four ranking events will be given seniority;

b) In the event of a further tie the number of tournaments taken into account will rise from four to five or however many tournaments which may be needed for the separation of players.

2.8 - The PDC reserves the right to remove any tournament from the calendar without prior notice.

2.9 - The PDC reserves the right to add any tournament to the ranking list providing it gives at least three months notice of such an addition. Any PDC wholly owned and staged events can be added at the discretion of the Board.In such circumstances the PDPA will be contacted immediately and informed of such decisions.

2.10 - The PDC reserves the right to have the benefit of all decisions in any event not covered fully in these rules.

2.11 - The PDC reserves the right, after consultation with the PDPA, to add or amend any or all of these Rules at any time to meet any purpose deemed to be necessary at that time by the Board of Directors.

2.12 - All match results and prize money awarded shall be recorded in all stages of all PDC tournaments and this information shall be published as soon as a tournament has been concluded on planetdarts.tv.

2.13 - In PDC organised events, when the draw is made this shall remain in force for the event, even if there are a substantial number of byes.

2.14 - This document will remain in force until January 5 2009 unless otherwise advised.

3. Seedings

3.1 Seedings for PDC tournaments will operate in the following way:

For the 2008/9 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship there will be 32 seeds.

For the 2008 Stan James World Matchplay there will be 16 seeds.

For the 2008 Sky Poker World Grand Prix there will be eight seeds.

For the 2008 Las Vegas Desert Classic there will be eight seeds.

For the 2008 European Championship there will be eight seeds.

For the 2009 Players Championship Finals the draw will be as per the players qualification rank.

Seedings for other events will be at the discretion of the PDC Board.

The seedings will be as follows:

TOP HALF: 1-16-8-9-5-12-4-13

BOTTOM HALF: 2-15-7-10-6-11-3-14

For the PDPA Qualifiers for the World Championship, eight seeds will be used.

3.2 - For PDC ranked events the seeding will be determined by the Order of Merit which is in operation at the time of the closing date for each particular tournament.

4. UK Open

4.1 - Prize money will be awarded down to the last 64 players regardless of the number of entries. Prize money is set out in point 2.1.

4.2 - All Regional Finals will be held over one day. They will be played on 16 boards and will progress in a bracket format throughout.

4.3 - The closing date for entries will be on the Thursday just over one week before each tournament is due to be played. Entry is only open to PDPA members on payment of a £65 (or equivalent if local player in foreign currency) entry fee using the PDC Online Entry System or £75 via postal/telephone entry.

4.4 - All matches to the Quarter-Finals will be the best of nine legs; the Quarter-Finals will be the best of 11 legs, the Semi-Finals will be the best of 13 legs and the Final will be the best of 15 legs.

4.5 - The top 64 players from the PDC Order of Merit who have entered the event are exempt until the last 128 stage. These 64 exemptions are not seeded players and will be drawn at random although they will not play each other at the last 128 stage.

4.6 - The top 96 players, plus ties, in the UK Open Order of Merit following the completion of the eight Regional Finals will be invited to take part in the UK Open Televised Finals. Until such time as a player has played in three of the eight annual Regional Finals, their prize money will not count towards the UK Open Order of Merit. These 96 players (plus ties) will be joined by 32 Amateur Qualifiers in the televised finals.

4.7 - This list will then be divided into four groups:

Players finishing 1-32 in UK Open Order of Merit

Players finishing 33-64 in UK Open Order of Merit

Players finishing 65-96 (plus ties) in UK Open Order of Merit

Plus 32 Pub Qualifiers from separate qualifying tournaments

In the case of ties, the countback rule will apply; this will be a player's performance (cumulative money won) in the previous four UK Open Regional Finals. In cases where there is still a tie, this countback will continue one event at a time until there is a separation.

The format of the tournament will be as follows:

Round 1: 32 pub qualifiers + 65-96 in the UK Open OOM - 32 games on 8 boards - Best of 11 legs

Round 2: 32 survivors of Rnd 1 + 33-64 in the UK Open OOM - 32 games on 8 boards - Best of 11 legs

Round 3: 32 survivors of Rnd 2 + 1-32 in the UK Open OOM - 32 games on 8 boards - Best of 17 legs

Round 4: Last 32 - 16 games on 4 boards - Best of 17 legs

Round 5: Last 16 - 8 games on 2 boards - Best of 17 legs

Quarter-Finals: 4 games on 1 board - Best of 19 legs

Semi-Finals: 2 games on 1 board - Best of 19 legs

Final: 1 game on 1 board - Best of 21 legs

4.8 - The prize fund breakdown at each Regional Final will be as set out in point 2.1.

4.9 - A separate tournament to find 32 Amateur Qualifiers will be held in 2008. PDPA members will not be eligible to enter this tournament. Full details of this tournament will be announced in due course.

5. PDPA Players Championship

5.1 - There will be a minimum of 25 PDPA Players Championship events held in 2008.

5.2 - Each tournament will have prize money as set out in point 2.1.

5.3 - The closing date for entries will be on the Thursday just over one week before each tournament is due to be played. Entry is only open to PDPA members on payment of a £65 entry fee using the PDC Online Entry System or £75 through postal/telephone entry.

5.4 - For tournaments outside the UK, the details as described below will apply, which gives the ability for non-PDPA members to play in an event by becoming "day members".

This allows "local" players to enter the main event through two routes:

Route I) A Pre-Tournament qualifier. This has an entry fee of £10 (or Euro15/US$20/AUS$20) and allows a maximum of 16 players to qualify for the main tournament, the format is best of seven legs throughout and the event is staged either on the morning of the main event, or more preferably, the day before the main event. This will apply to all non-UK Players Championship events.

Route II) Non-PDPA members pay an additional £10 (or Euro15/US$20/AUS$20) to be drawn straight into the main draw of the PDPA Players Championship event.

Should a tournament receive an extremely large entry, the PDC reserve the right to put PDPA members ranked in the top 64 of the Order of Merit in at a later stage of the draw.

5.5 - A non-PDPA member can compete in non-UK PDPA Players Championship events a maximum of five times per calendar year without becoming a full member of the PDPA. This applies to non-UK residents only - all UK residents must be PDPA members in order to enter a PDPA Players Championship event.

5.6 - The top 32 ranked players in the PDC Order of Merit at the closing date of entries for each tournament will be seeded as follows:

TOP HALF: 1-32-16-17-8-25-9-24-5-28-12-21-4-29-13-20

BOTTOM HALF: 2-31-15-18-7-26-10-23-6-27-11-22-3-30-14-19

5.7 - Where there are two Players Championship events on successive days, the second day the seeding will be as follows:

TOP HALF: 32-1-17-16-25-8-24-9-28-5-21-12-29-4-20-13

BOTTOM HALF: 31-2-19-15-26-7-23-10-27-6-22-11-30-3-19-14

5.8 - The number one seed for the event, where he has entered the tournament, will be the defending champion from the previous year's corresponding event.

5.9 - All Tournaments will be held over one day. They will be played on 16 boards and will progress in a bracket format throughout.

5.10 - The closing date for entries will be on the Thursday just over one week before each tournament is due to be played. Entry is only open to PDPA members on payment of a £65 (or named equivalent if local player in foreign currency) entry fee using the PDC Online Entry System or via postal/telephone entry.

5.11 - All matches will be played over the best of five sets, with the best of three legs per set.

6. General Rules For Pro Tour Events (Players Championship and UK Open Regional Finals)

6.1 - All games are 501 up, straight start and finishing on a double. The player on the left of the draw will throw first for the bull to determine who throws first in the first leg. The throw will then be reversed and alternately thereafter.

6.2 - Any player who has not registered at their appointed venue by 15 minutes before the advertised start time on the day of competition will be eliminated from the event. Each player must register their arrival at the venue with the Tournament Officials.

6.3 - Each Regional Final will operate on a "loser marks" basis and it is a condition of participation that the losing player of each match marks the following game, as directed by Tournament Officials. In genuine cases of disablement, a player may arrange for someone else to mark the next match on their behalf. It is the player's responsibility to ensure that someone replaces them and that this person can mark to a competent standard and is dressed as per rule 6.7 below.

In either case, the marker must be in place immediately following the completion of the previous game.

6.4 - The first game on each board will be marked by the "last" player listed on the schedule of matches for that board.

6.5 - Players may be asked by Tournament Officials to move from the board to which they were originally allocated to another board. Such a request must be adhered to immediately to help the smooth running of the tournament.

6.6 - The draw for each Tournament will take place prior to each tournament and will be published on the PDC's official website.

6.7 - Players are asked to dress as smartly as possible, wearing dark trousers and black shoes. Light coloured trousers, hats, jeans or other casual trousers and training shoes will not be permitted.

6.8 - Players are not permitted to drink alcohol or smoke whilst playing in any match during these events.