At the 1988 Embassy World Darts Championship for the first time in history it was not either Eric Bristow or John Lowe who was seeded number one but fellow countryman Bob Anderson. The 1986 and 1987 World Master would go on to win the title defeating defending champion John Lowe in the final 6-4.
On his way to the final Anderson only dropped one set against Dutchman Bert Vlaardingerbroek in the first round. Vlaardingerbroek was the first Dutchman to ever grace the stage in the Lakeside Country Club with many of the orange army following in his footsteps in later years. Vlaardingerbroek would make four appearances in the World Championship but would never get past the first round. Before the tournament started Malcolm Davies from Wales broke his hand and was replaced by Australia’s Terry O’Dea.
In the semi finals Bob Anderson would defeat American Rick Ney comfortably 5 sets to 0 where in the other semi old time rivals Bristow and Lowe met. For the second year running it was to be Lowe who came out on top, this time 5 sets to 2.