128 players started the chase for the title with the lower ranked players. The competition had earned the nickname, "The FA Cup of Darts" by the nature of its random draw for each round - and there was the extraordinary pairing of former world champions John Lowe against Keith Deller in the first round. Lowe, who had been missing several tournaments on the circuit at the time opted to withdraw from the event so Deller received a bye into round two.