The 1983 Embassy World Darts Championship was staged at Jollees Cabaret Club in Stoke-on-Trent from 1–8 January 1983.

The final featured one of darts' most memorable moments, when Bristow was left on 121.

Deller had already missed seven darts at a double to win the title in the ninth set, when leading 5-3 and Bristow believed his opponent would not check out the high finish.

To this day commentators often refer to 138 as the "Deller checkout" if a player is left with that score.

A best of three sets preliminary round match took place between Alan Evans of Wales and Brent Bartholomew of New Zealand as they were tied on the rankings.