UK Open places back on offer at Rileys

The pub chain are working alongside the PDC to produce 32 'wildcards' to join the latter's professionals at the UK Open,

This year's finals returns to Butlins in Minehead, broadcast on ITV4 from March 3-5, and plans are in place to determine the 128-player field for the competition's 15th year.

The top 96 from the UK Open Order of Merit, played between the PDC pro at the organisation's own UK Open qualifiers, make up the rest of the entrants.

Four will prevail from two tournaments at Rileys Wolverhampton, on Broad Street in the city centre, with two apiece generated on the Saturdays of January 21 and February 4.

They will all be winning semi-finalists, whittled down from an unlimited number of entrants on the day. There were 116 and then 144 last year.

Rileys' flagship operation, London Victoria, is the only other venue to be granted four positions. Another nine have two, with six granted one.

A Rileys qualifier made it all the way through to the quarter-finals at Minehead, with Barry Lynn dumping out then world champion Gary Anderson on the way.

Lynn eventually bowed out to Michael van Gerwen, in a game that took place on the main stage live on ITV4. MvG also accounted for Rileys' Rob Cross at the last 32 stage.

Of those that came through Wolverhampton, Mark Cox lost 6-4 in the first round after a tough draw against Wes Newton, with Dean Stewart defeated by Lynn through the same scoreline.

The first batch of qualifiers from Wolverhampton, Glen McGrandle and Andy Brown, also failed to get past the first hurdle against Ryan Harrington (6-1) and Mark Frost (6-0) respectively.

More will try their luck this year and those unsuccessful the first time around can try again in the second qualifier, or at the others held across the country.

Anybody aged 16 or over (on January 1) can compete in the qualifiers, but you cannot enter on the day. The online cut-off is 48 hours before the event at www.rileys.co.uk/tournaments.

You can also apply in person at Rileys until midnight the previous day. Their contact number is 01902 310 521. Entry is just £6, including a free drink on selected brands.

There is a strict dress code of trousers, shoes and either a shirt or polo shirt. Those playing in this month's PDC's Qualifying School cannot enter, but Challenge Tour card holders can.

Doors open at 10am on the day and players must sign in by midday, ahead of the 12.30pm draw. They will toe the oche by 1.30pm.

Operating under the 501 format, all ties are a first-to-four leg race until the semi-final, which will become best-of-nine.