Tuesday 15 November 2016 10:21, UK
Is there a rivalry? Ahead of the Grand Slam of Darts, Sky Sports asked a panel of experts to assess the relationship between the PDC's big-hitters and the BDO underdogs.
Does the Grand Slam have a special feel because it brings the two organisations together?
Dave Clark: It's brilliant, it gives both codes the chance to flex their muscles before the respective world championships. A lot of players hit form at this time of the year with the Worlds around the corner and it just says who is the guv'nor in world darts - will it be one of the BDO boys, will it be one of the PDC boys?
The BDO used to be quite big but now they don't have the Gary Andersons, the Raymond van Barnevelds or the Phil Taylors.
Simon Whitlock: We get to see what the other boys are doing from the other side! They've got some extremely good players.
Wayne Mardle: I'm disappointed it's not 16 v 16. The Grand Slam was incorporated to include BDO players and, over the years, it's become less and less.
Tell us about the rivalry - should we expect aggro at the Grand Slam?
Michael van Gerwen: There's no rivalry because only Glen Durrant can do damage. I can't see anyone else doing anything really good.
Dave Clark: There is definitely a rivalry but I think there is room for both, the amateur game and the professional game. The BDO has produced thousands of great players over the years. If it wasn't for the BDO there would be no PDC circuit.
If you’re going to have an event of PDC v BDO, you have the same number of players on each side of the fence. This is just another event and it happens to include some BDO players.
Wayne Mardle: If there is needle, it's caused by people from 'back in the day' thinking there's still a gripe. Believe me, the players couldn't care less. Van Gerwen isn't looking to win the Grand Slam because it's got BDO players in it. He's looking to win it because he's a greedy man!
Simon Whitlock: I don't think so - I play a lot of exhibitions with these boys and we're all good friends. We all just play darts, I don't think there's any rivalry.
Do you play your BDO counterparts often?
Michael van Gerwen: The last time I played a BDO player was last year, in the group stage, when I beat Mark Oosterhuis. I beat that guy 5-0.
Simon Whitlock: Not really, sometimes I'll go to a small tournament if I've got nothing else on, and I run into a few BDO players. Sometimes at an exhibition but it's pretty rare.
Who's the likeliest BDO player to win the Grand Slam?
Michael van Gerwen: I can't remember his name but he's a good player... Glen Durrant!
Wayne Mardle: It's been won before by the BDO, there's no reason it can't be done again. Scott Mitchell maybe, Glen Durrant? I believe Durrant can win it, he's a fantastic player - consistent, guts, determination. The longer the format, the harder he is to beat.
Martin 'Wolfie' Adams: It will be nice if one of us did win it. I was with Scotty Waites last week and he's up for winning it again, that's for sure. He always seems to do well in Wolverhampton and is looking forward to going back to the venue and hopefully repeating his success.
Martin Adams, Scott Mitchell, Glenn Durant to name a few. They’re the top ones. Any of those boys would do well on the PDC tour.
Dave Clark: I really respect Martin Adams at the moment, he's been having treatment for prostate cancer and he has carried on competing. He reached a final in Italy last weekend and he is a three-time world champion and a great player. I think him against Michael van Gerwen will be the stand-out match of the tournament, certainly in the first round.
I'm not sure if they can win it, I don't think they quite reach the same high standards that the PDC can. Just look at the averages in the various tournaments and they aren't anywhere near as high as they are in the PDC for the BDO players. There will be some upsets along the way - Jamie Hughes is a good player, the BDO world No 4, he can do some damage in a group with James Wade and Dave Chisnall and James Wilson. He is one to look out for and a dangerous player.
Rod Studd: Glen Durrant is the ace in the pack. He would start as the favourite in the BDO world championship.
Watch the Grand Slam of Darts live on Sky Sports between November 12-20.
