World champion Michael Smith is one of the world's top players set to make an appearance Friday night, at the first edition of the Poland Darts Masters in Warsaw.
For "Bullyboy," it will be his second tournament with his new darts. Smith made the move to darts manufacturer Shot Darts in early July after his partnership with Unicorn Darts came to an end after 10 years.
Last weekend's European Darts Matchplay was the first tournament with the new darts and Smith showed he can handle his new material very well, with an average of 111. In the end he was defeated in the quarterfinals by Dirk van Duijvenbode.
''I’m happy with the way I’m playing. I’m feeling confident,'' Smith told the PDC in a preview. "I’ve only been playing with these darts for seven days, but it’s about your mindset, not the darts. If my mindset is right, I will win most matches. I last changed my darts about ten years ago, but I’m a different person to the one I was ten years ago. I’ve got a stronger mindset, stronger belief."
Smith now has his sights set on success in Poland, the homeland of his wife Dagmara. “I want to be ready to produce a strong performance in Poland, and I want to be ready for the World Matchplay, so I’m going to be really focused.”