Ranking & Seeding
Why it’s important and how it works.
Board Group Format
Professional-style knockout bracket.
WDF Rules
Special rules for ranking events.
Darts Thrown Year-to-Date
Play Your Way To The World Stage!
DartConnect has partnered with the World Darts Federation to make your tournament experience better than ever. With Digital Steel’s exclusive features for ranking events, you can focus on performing your best while DartConnect takes care of everything else.
First Time at a Digital Steel Event?
Urgent! Event does not recognize me as a ranked player!
If you do not see your WDF ranking on any DartConnect Assets, then this event does not recognize you as a WDF player. Contact event staff immediately so they can properly identify your ranking.
See “Verify Your Ranking” for tools to verify your ranking.
Verify Your Ranking For Seeding!
Seeding at events will be based on WDF player rankings as of the “Penultimate Wednesday” (two Wednesdays prior) to the day of the tournament. Player seeding in the bracket will depend on the number of ranked players in attendance.
Are You A WDF Ranked Player?
If you are a ranked player, you are eligible for seeding. It is your responsibility to confirm your WDF ranking with event staff. DartConnect provides multiple options to verify seeding eligibility, including:
Onsite Registration: If an event elects to use this option, players will be notified as they register.
Confirmation Email: After registration is complete, players receive an email that will inform them if their ranking has been identified
DartConnect TV: DCTV contains an “Entries” page that identifies ranked players:
[Screenshot Coming Soon]
If you notice an error in the rankings, inform tournament officials immediately.
Want To Learn More?
To learn how ranking points are calculated and distributed, visit the WDF’s official rules page:
Improve your chances of being seeded at WDF events!
When competing in WDF sanctioned events, every player is eligible to receive ranking points that lead to seeding opportunities.
To improve your chances of being recognized as a WDF ranked player, participants are encouraged to set up a FREE DC Guest Account, with a player profile that includes the email address player’s use when registering for all WDF competitions.
Create an account today and avoid being overlooked for WDF seeding and missing out on ranking points!
The WDF does not receive or store any private information. The WDF does work with 3rd party vendors who may use this for the sole purpose of assisting with accurate player identification. These vendors do not sell or trade this information with outside parties.
Board Group Format
Most WDF sanctioned competitions will use this professional bracket format.
- Players are organized into groups that are assigned to the same board(s) (see example below)
- Each group plays a “mini-bracket” down to a “group winner”, then switches to random boards
Board Group vs Random Boards
Random Board Assignment assumes that players compete on a different board for each round.
Board Group Format assigns a group of players to 1 or 2 boards until only 1 player remains. Subsequent rounds then convert to random board assignment.
Board Group format requires players to be engaged with their group at all times.
Failure to do so will cause delays and may result in player disqualification. DartConnect provides numerous tools for players to monitor board progress.
Example Board Group Bracket:
Important Information:
Report for your match on time!
Avoid Disqualification!
Report to your group as the prior match concludes.
DartConnect provides three tools to help on DartConnect TV:
- Board Assignment Listings – Alphabetical by player
- KO Board Group Progression – Includes real-time score updates!
- Tournament Bracket – With board group overview
Step 1:
Determine Your Board Assignment
If you did not provide an email address for notifications, you can still determine your board assignment on DartConnect TV:
- Go to the tournament’s Board Assignments page
- Enter your name in the Player Search tool to quickly find your board assignment
Step 2:
Monitor Your Group’s Progress In Real Time
- From the Board Calls page, select the link for “KO Board Groups”
- This page will show the specific match that is “First”, “Next” and “Soon”
- The match that is live will display the current score
Step 3:
Review your group’s bracket or the entire tournament
- Go to the “Brackets” page and select your event
- Use the “Find Player(s)” tool to quickly find your group
- Matches will progress in top-down order by round
- After the group final, matches will receive random board assignments
IMPORTANT! DO NOT rely exclusively on email notifications or DCTV. Periodically visit the group in person and check with the floor official.
Board assignments may change!
If a group is falling behind, matches may be expedited to play earlier and on a different board to catch up.
If A Board Assignment Is Updated:
- Players will receive an additional board call notification
- The new assignment will be updated on DCTV
- Check with the floor official or the control desk to confirm new board assignments
It is the player’s responsibility to pay attention to any changes and report on time to avoid disqualification.
IMPORTANT! DO NOT rely exclusively on email notifications or DCTV. Periodically visit the group and check with the floor official to monitor the group’s progress. Plan to report no later than when the prior match concludes.
Match Start Notifications
DartConnect provides match notifications to alert players when their match is approaching.
These notifications are timed so players can report early and avoid disqualification:
- Notifications will list the initial schedule of group matches
- Players with the first match an a board should report immediately
- If you are not in the first match, it is your responsibility to report immediately after the prior match concludes
- After group winners are determined, notifications with corresponding board assignments are sent immediately
- Notice: YOUR BOARD ASSIGNMENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME. Follow the group’s progress closely.
IMPORTANT! DO NOT rely exclusively on notifications or DCTV. Periodically visit the group and check in with the floor official to monitor the group’s progress.
Scheduled Matches
Some Events May Use “Scheduled” Matches
If this applies to your tournament:
- Each match will be assigned a specific Start Time
- Start times will be displayed on:
- Bracket and board assignment pages on DartConnect TV
- Board call notifications
- Optional printed player cards
Check with tournament officials regarding any additional rules or guidelines regarding start times.
Floor Officials
Some tournaments will assign floor officials. These resources can assist with the following:
- Ensuring matches start on time
- Assisting players with match setup and tablet/scorekeeping
- Managing late players, including disqualifications
- They MAY be able to assist with locating a marker/scorekeeper
Note: If the tournament does not employ floor officials players will be required to self-manage match progress and report issues to the control desk.
Non-Sanctioned Competitions (Pairs, Blind Draws, etc.)
What if an event is non-sanctioned without WDF ranking points?
Many tournaments include additional competitions that do not adhere to WDF format requirements. This may include fewer legs, different game types or random board assignment.
With random board assignment, match notifications will be issued when a board is assigned to a match.
