1981 BDO World Darts Championship
The 1981 BDO World Darts Championship was the fourth British Darts Organisation world championship. The field was expanded from 24 to 32 players, the format which would remain for many years. For the third successive year the tournament was staged at Jollees Cabaret Club in Stoke-on-Trent.
Eric Bristow was back to defend his title and would face John Lowe the champion of two years previously in the final. The final was the best of nine sets, but there was a break scheduled after three sets where the third-fourth place play-off match would be held.
Lowe ran away with the first two sets without dropping a leg and took the first leg in the third set before Bristow finally got onto the scoreboard. The "Crafty Cockney" held on to take that third set to go into the break just one set behind. As in the previous year's final, Bristow edged ahead to lead 4–3 in sets and Lowe had darts to take the match into a final set. However Lowe missed three attempts at double ten and Bristow took out double four to win the title for the second year running.
Prize money
The prize fund was £22,800.There was also a 9-Dart Checkout prize of £52,000, along with a High Checkout prize of £500.
Results
Preliminary round
A best of three sets preliminary round match took place between Steve Brennan of Northern Ireland and Wayne Lock of Wales, as they were tied on the rankings.| Player | Score | Player |
Wayne Lock  Last 32Third place matchCliff Lazarenko 75.06 2– 1 Tony Brown 75.42 |