With the Premier League season drawing to a close, Dartsnews has analysed how the table would shape up if the old format were still in use. Under the previous system, each player played one match per night, with two points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a defeat. The league featured ten players initially, with the bottom two eliminated after nine nights on 'Judgement Night'. For this comparison, only first-round matches from the current season were considered, though night nine fixtures would have been different under the old system due to table-based scheduling.
Two tables were produced: one without draws and one with draws. In the table without draws, Luke Littler would lead with 22 points and a leg difference of +19. Jonny Clayton (20 points, +9) and Luke Humphries (18 points, +14) would battle for second, while Gerwyn Price (16 points, +3) and Gian van Veen (14 points, -4) would fight for fourth. The same four players would qualify for the Play-Offs as in the current format, but the race would be far tighter. Josh Rock, despite early exits in the current system, would be only four points off the Play-Off places after four straight wins under the old format.
With draws included, the table tightens further. Littler still leads with 20 points (+18), but Humphries (18 points, +13) could catch him on the final night. Clayton (18 points, +7) would also be safely in the play-offs. The battle for fourth would be wide open: Gian van Veen (15 points, -3) holds the best position, with Gerwyn Price (14 points, +2) and Michael van Gerwen (14 points, -9) lurking one point behind. Van Gerwen, despite a disappointing season, would still have a chance at the play-offs. Stephen Bunting (12 points, -14) and Josh Rock (9 points, -24) would occupy the bottom two, but Bunting could theoretically still catch van Gerwen.
Matchday 14 is particularly interesting, as almost all matches ended in 5-5 draws, except Clayton's win over Price, which would have given him a crucial edge under the old format. The analysis suggests the Premier League would have been significantly more exciting under the old system, with tighter tables and more momentum from winning streaks. However, the comparison is limited, as players approach legs differently when a draw is possible. Whether the PDC will change the format remains to be seen, but the old system would likely have offered more tension in the battle for the table.
