Summary

  1. Razma in cruise controlpublished at 21:28 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 2-1 Kist (1-0)

    The last thing Christian Kist needs right now is a bounce out, with the Dutchman showing a real deflation when retrieving his dart from the floor.

    Razma is comfortably ahead in the first leg of the fourth set, getting six darts at a finish before Kist gets one.

    The Latvian leaves himself double 10, with Kist teeing about double 12, if he gets the chance.

    He doesn't.

    Razma misses double 10, but hits double five and is now two legs away from the victory.

  2. Razma takes third setpublished at 21:25 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 2-1 Kist

    A hold of throw for Madars Razma will win him the set and move him within one set of the second round.

    A real back and forth leg, Razma hits 25 for two darts at double 20, the first of which is perfect.

    That is six out of eight legs won for the Latvian since Christian Kist's nine-darter.

  3. Razma breaks Kist's throwpublished at 21:23 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 1-1 Kist (2-1)

    Christian Kist knows that two holds of throw will win him this set, but a 162 from Madars Razma puts the Latvian in control of the leg.

    Razma gets two visits with 140 remaining, leaving himself 75 after the first and 40 with the second, which Razma is then given the chance to finish.

    A double 20 miss follows, but he takes double 10 to break Kist's throw.

  4. Celebrations all roundpublished at 21:21 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Christian KistImage source, PA Media

    Christian Kist wasn't the only one celebrating, and pocketing £60,000 for that nine-darter.

    Tournament sponsors Paddy Power will also give the same amount to Prostate Cancer UK, and one lucky spectator inside Alexandra Palace.

    The punter looked suitably happy, albeit slightly non-plussed, as he learned of his good fortune.

  5. Razma levels the match in third setpublished at 21:20 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 1-1 Kist (1-1)

    It may not be a 180, but a 171 from Madars Razma continues a match of brilliant scoring so far.

    Madars Razma is yet to lose a leg on his throw and a 123 continues his control in the leg, with at least three darts at 95.

    The Latvian goes 25 and treble 20 to set up double five, which he goes high on, but gets another go at double five.

    Razma misses double four on his next visit, but does take out double two to level the match.

  6. Kist takes lead in third setpublished at 21:17 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 1-1 Kist (0-1)

    A tight start to the third set, but Christian Kist, on his throw, finds his sixth maximum of the night to give him three darts at double 14.

    Kist holds his throw with his second double attempt.

  7. A brilliant first two setspublished at 21:14 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 1-1 Kist

    Out of a possible 10 legs, we've had nine of them and both men are averaging high scores.

    Madars Razma is at 94.17, while Christian Kist is on 99.26.

  8. Razma levels match with first break of throwpublished at 21:10 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 1-1 Kist

    Madars Razma's 177 gives him a chance of a break of throw.

    How does Christian Kist respond? A 180, of course.

    Kist gets down to a finish first on 125, with Razma waiting to go at 90.

    A trebles-less visit opens the leg up for Razma, who wins the set on bull to level the match.

  9. Razma holds throw again in second setpublished at 21:08 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 0-1 Kist (2-1)

    We're yet to set a break of throw in this match, with both men doing well to make the most of their throw.

    Madars Razma sets up a double 20 finish and is given six darts to land it by Christian Kist.

    Razma goes high with his first dart, but the second regains his lead in the set.

  10. Kist levels second setpublished at 21:06 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 0-1 Kist (1-1)

    Christian Kist and Madars Razma exchange similar blows on Kist's throw, but a 174 gives the Dutchman three darts at double 12.

    With the second, he levels this set.

  11. Razma holds throw at start of second setpublished at 21:04 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 0-1 Kist (1-0)

    Madars Razma misses three darts at double 20 to hold his throw and on his next visit, misses one at double 20, another at double 10, but takes his sixth double attempt.

    A good leg for Razma to win, with Kist surely on cloud nine after that nine-darter.

  12. Postpublished at 21:02 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 0-1 Kist

    Christian Kist averaged 112 in the first set, you can hardly say Madars Razma is playing badly!

    A longer break between sets, we're back now and Madars Razma will start the next set.

  13. What is a nine-darter?published at 20:58 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Darts is one of the few sports that can measure perfection; snooker has the 147 maximum break, golf has the hole-in-one, darts has the nine-dart finish.

    The fewest number of darts required to finish a standard leg of 501 points is nine.

    There are several ways to complete a nine-dart finish, the most common being two visits of 180 followed by a 141 checkout.

    The most recent nine-darter at the PDC World Championship before Kist was by Michael Smith in his 2023 final win over Michael van Gerwen.

    There is a method of completing a nine-darter with three identical visits of 167 - treble 20, treble 19, bull - although that is usually saved for the exhibition circuit rather than in tournament play!

    Michael Smith after a nine-darterImage source, Getty Images
  14. Kist hits nine-darter to take first set!published at 20:56 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December
    Breaking

    Razma 0-1 Kist

    Could we see the first nine-darter of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship?!

    Christian Kist pins two 180s to set up a 141 finish!

    Surely not?

    Treble 20? Tick. Treble 19? Tick. Double 12? You bet!

    That is sensational. The crowd love it, so does Kist!

    What. A. Leg.

  15. Razma levels up in gripping first setpublished at 20:54 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 0-0 Kist (2-2)

    Make that four maximums from four legs, two apiece.

    Latvia's Madars Razma backs up his second with an 135 to set up a 91 out, but Christian Kist's 140 shows he is chasing the Latvian's tail.

    Razma takes out 91 superbly on double 10 to level the set.

  16. Kist holds throwpublished at 20:52 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 0-0 Kist (1-2)

    Three legs so far in this match and three 180s between Christian Kist Madars Razma.

    Kist gets his second to give him at least two visits to finish off 83.

    A set-up 43 buys him three goes at double 20. The Dutchman only needs one.

  17. Get Involved: Littler or Humphriespublished at 20:51 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    #bbcdarts, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Humphries and Littler need each other. Hopefully a rivalry that will go on for the next decade and push each other to new levels. Glad Littler was recognised at SPOTY but let him win multiple world championships and then he'll be worthy of the main SPOTY title.

    George, Nottingham

  18. Razma levels up after his first 180published at 20:50 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 0-0 Kist (1-1)

    Madars Razma gets his first leg with the throw and his first 180 of the night sets up three darts at double 12.

    The first dart is low, but he pins double six with the second to level the set.

  19. Kist holds opening legpublished at 20:49 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma 0-0 Kist (0-1)

    Christian Kist starts the match with a superb 180!

    More solid scoring from him gives him at least six darts at a 100 finish.

    A treble 20 first up precedes two misses on double 20.

    Kist comes back for three more attempts, landing the second.

  20. Two excellent entrancespublished at 20:46 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December

    Razma v Kist

    Strong contenders for the two best walk-out songs in the same match.

    Madars Razma walks out to Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" and Christian Kist is out to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck". The crowd love both!

    Of course, other opinions are available.

    Kist to throw first, game on!