The former 2022/23 World Darts Champion plays Kevin Doets in tomorrow’s second round tie, with fellow St Helens throwers Stephen Bunting and Dave Chisnall following on Friday and Saturday before the competition takes a short break for Christmas.
Bully Boy will be determined to not have his Christmas day ruined – and all he is currently thinking about is getting on the oche and leaving behind his daily routine.
Smith said: “I just want to get there and get on the board now.
“I want to be in London.
“I want to feel like I’m in the tournament, because right now, being back home and just doing all the work, obviously, media stuff and doing exhibitions.
“When I’m doing the school runs, it doesn’t feel like I’m actually in a World Championship.
“But when I’m in London, I don’t do media, I’m only practising, not doing school runs and not doing anything and that’s when I feel like I’m in.
“Whoever I face, I’m not fussed because I’ll be happy I’m in the tournament.
“I’m happy playing darts in front of some of the best fans in the world.”
Smith famously won darts’ biggest tournament in January 2023 with a 7-4 win over Michael van Gerwen – a match which included one of the showpiece’s most memorable moments.
Bully Boy’s 9-darter in that game caused pandemonium in the crowd – and was one of the most watched sporting clips of the year – especially by himself.
Smith recalls: “It was unreal, especially when he missed the double 12. It was one of those moments. It was special.
“Seeing all the pints, the drink, going everywhere, everyone was soaked.
“I must have watched that 100,000 times, probably even more. Might have been 100,000 that times that night at the hotel.
“At that moment I didn’t feel about it like I feel about it now. “That was only the second set to make it 1-1, so it wasn’t a massive moment.
“It was massive for the fans but not for us as players. But when I went on to win the set and then the match, it felt weird.
“I got back to the room and got the goosebumps, but I never got them on stage, only when the match had finished.
“I was smiling from ear to ear, and that did virtually for a full year. I know there was nine-darters hit that year, but nobody is going hit one like that ever again.”
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