JAMES WADE is bidding to complete a hat-trick at the Reebok Stadium when the Speedy Services UK Open begins on Thursday, as amateur and professional players line up alongside each other compete for the £40,000 first prize this weekend.
World number three Wade has twice been victorious in Bolton in previous UK Opens, following up his 2008 triumph by winning last year's title in 'The FA Cup of Darts' against Wes Newton.
The tournament will feature 177 players this weekend, with play on the first two nights being held across eight stages at the Reebok Stadium, and the open draw format means that top names can draw each other at any stage.
Although the top 32 qualifiers enter on Friday at the third round stage - swap the FA Cup's Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool for darts stars Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis - Wade will be competing amongst amateur hopefuls and lower-ranked professionals on Thursday night in round two.
He finished only 40th in the rankings after eight UK Open qualifiers for professionals, meaning that he comes in at the second round stage against one of four potential opponents.
"It's a completely different challenge to the Premier League and any other major event that we do," said the 29-year-old from Aldershot, who would need to win seven games over the weekend if he is to lift the £40,000 title.
"I know people say they only take one game at a time but that's literally all you can do because you've no idea who you'll play in the next round if you get through.
"It's not like the Premier League or, for example, the World Matchplay in that sense, but that adds to the excitement for me.
"I'm fortunate enough to have won twice in Bolton and it would be fantastic to do it again, but I know I'll have a tough weekend ahead of me."
Wade's second round game will be against either Yorkshire's Mark Lawrence - a former UK Open quarter-finalist - or one of the amateur trio Jamie Robinson, Glen Durrant or Stephen Bunting, with those players in action earlier in the night in the preliminary and first rounds.
"I still don't know who I'll be playing on Thursday night, and they'll have played twice already so that adds to the challenge," adds Wade.
"It's a short format, the first to four, so I'll have to be ready because there's no time to get settled in - I've just got to go out there and do a job."
The opening night also features the UK Open debut of two-time Lakeside Champion Ted Hankey, who will face Leeds-base Speedy Qualifier Danny Dutson in the preliminary round.
Hankey could also play Andy Jenkins and Mervyn King in a tough opening night's schedule which sees him needing to win three games to reach the last 64.
"It's a new thing but I know I can handle that," said Hankey. "Danny has obviously played well to qualify so I can't underestimate him, but I'm in my comfort zone being up on stage.
"I've looked at the draw and if I can get through the first game - which I hope to do - then I could play Andy Jenkins and if I get through that then I've got Mervyn King.
"I'm getting myself mentally right, and I personally feel I can get through that day and into the last 64."
Last year's UK Open semi-finalists Mark Webster and Denis Ovens are other leading names in action on Thursday night, alongside Paul Nicholson - who knocked out Phil Taylor and Gary Anderson in his run to the quarter-finals 12 months ago.
Nicholson begins his challenge in the First Round against one of two amateur qualifiers, Middlesbrough's Andy Melling or Essex's 21-year-old Harry Miles, and admits: "You have to be wary of these qualifiers.
"I have to prepare for a game with a world class player because I could end up playing against the best talent that's never turned pro. I'll have to be on my game because, in a format as short as first to four, anybody can beat anybody."
Webster enters in the Second Round against Swindon's Johnny Haines, with Ovens meeting Scottish amateur Craig MacCaskill in the Preliminary Round as he bids to reach the last four in Bolton for a third successive year.
The Speedy Services UK Open will be shown live on Sky Sports HD throughout the weekend, with play on Thursday and Friday evening followed by both afternoon and evening sessions on Saturday and Sunday from Bolton.
Tickets for Friday night's Third Round games are now sold out, with limited availability left for Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased in advance on 0844 871 8807 or via www.seetickets.com, with any remaining tickets on sale at the Premier Suite on the day of each session, if available.
Speedy Services UK Open Partners
Title Sponsors - Speedy Services
www.speedyservices.com
Speedy Services Facebook
Speedy Services Twitter
Associate Sponsor - Rileys
www.rileys.co.uk
Rileys' Twitter
Official Partner - McCoy's
www.mccoys.co.uk
McCoy's Facebook
McCoy's Twitter
Official Partner - Dulux Decorator Centres
www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk
Dulux Decorator Centres Facebook
Dulux Decorator Centres Twitter
World number three Wade has twice been victorious in Bolton in previous UK Opens, following up his 2008 triumph by winning last year's title in 'The FA Cup of Darts' against Wes Newton.
The tournament will feature 177 players this weekend, with play on the first two nights being held across eight stages at the Reebok Stadium, and the open draw format means that top names can draw each other at any stage.
Although the top 32 qualifiers enter on Friday at the third round stage - swap the FA Cup's Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool for darts stars Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis - Wade will be competing amongst amateur hopefuls and lower-ranked professionals on Thursday night in round two.
He finished only 40th in the rankings after eight UK Open qualifiers for professionals, meaning that he comes in at the second round stage against one of four potential opponents.
"It's a completely different challenge to the Premier League and any other major event that we do," said the 29-year-old from Aldershot, who would need to win seven games over the weekend if he is to lift the £40,000 title.
"I know people say they only take one game at a time but that's literally all you can do because you've no idea who you'll play in the next round if you get through.
"It's not like the Premier League or, for example, the World Matchplay in that sense, but that adds to the excitement for me.
"I'm fortunate enough to have won twice in Bolton and it would be fantastic to do it again, but I know I'll have a tough weekend ahead of me."
Wade's second round game will be against either Yorkshire's Mark Lawrence - a former UK Open quarter-finalist - or one of the amateur trio Jamie Robinson, Glen Durrant or Stephen Bunting, with those players in action earlier in the night in the preliminary and first rounds.
"I still don't know who I'll be playing on Thursday night, and they'll have played twice already so that adds to the challenge," adds Wade.
"It's a short format, the first to four, so I'll have to be ready because there's no time to get settled in - I've just got to go out there and do a job."
The opening night also features the UK Open debut of two-time Lakeside Champion Ted Hankey, who will face Leeds-base Speedy Qualifier Danny Dutson in the preliminary round.
Hankey could also play Andy Jenkins and Mervyn King in a tough opening night's schedule which sees him needing to win three games to reach the last 64.
"It's a new thing but I know I can handle that," said Hankey. "Danny has obviously played well to qualify so I can't underestimate him, but I'm in my comfort zone being up on stage.
"I've looked at the draw and if I can get through the first game - which I hope to do - then I could play Andy Jenkins and if I get through that then I've got Mervyn King.
"I'm getting myself mentally right, and I personally feel I can get through that day and into the last 64."
Last year's UK Open semi-finalists Mark Webster and Denis Ovens are other leading names in action on Thursday night, alongside Paul Nicholson - who knocked out Phil Taylor and Gary Anderson in his run to the quarter-finals 12 months ago.
Nicholson begins his challenge in the First Round against one of two amateur qualifiers, Middlesbrough's Andy Melling or Essex's 21-year-old Harry Miles, and admits: "You have to be wary of these qualifiers.
"I have to prepare for a game with a world class player because I could end up playing against the best talent that's never turned pro. I'll have to be on my game because, in a format as short as first to four, anybody can beat anybody."
Webster enters in the Second Round against Swindon's Johnny Haines, with Ovens meeting Scottish amateur Craig MacCaskill in the Preliminary Round as he bids to reach the last four in Bolton for a third successive year.
The Speedy Services UK Open will be shown live on Sky Sports HD throughout the weekend, with play on Thursday and Friday evening followed by both afternoon and evening sessions on Saturday and Sunday from Bolton.
Tickets for Friday night's Third Round games are now sold out, with limited availability left for Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased in advance on 0844 871 8807 or via www.seetickets.com, with any remaining tickets on sale at the Premier Suite on the day of each session, if available.
Speedy Services UK Open Partners
Title Sponsors - Speedy Services
www.speedyservices.com
Speedy Services Facebook
Speedy Services Twitter
Associate Sponsor - Rileys
www.rileys.co.uk
Rileys' Twitter
Official Partner - McCoy's
www.mccoys.co.uk
McCoy's Facebook
McCoy's Twitter
Official Partner - Dulux Decorator Centres
www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk
Dulux Decorator Centres Facebook
Dulux Decorator Centres Twitter