New Zealand Darts Masters predictions and betting tips: Bully Boy looks a bet

Darts tips, best bets and analysis for the New Zealand Masters which starts at the Globox Arena, Hamilton, on Friday.

When to bet

Starts 8am Friday

Best bet

Michael Smith to win New Zealand Masters
1pt 9-2 Betfair, Paddy Power

Tournament preview

Michael Smith kicked off the 2022 World Series qualifying campaign by winning in New York and he can sign off the six-event schedule by going in again, this time in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Masters in Hamilton is the final qualifier for next month's World Series Finals in Amsterdam and Smith has the form and the draw to suggest he can dot up.

Bully Boy, who won the US Masters in June, was unlucky in New South Wales last weekend, averaging 106 in a thrilling 6-5 success over Damon Heta before shooting 99.15 against Jonny Clayton in the last eight and losing 6-4.

If he gets up a head of steam he's a hard man to stop and Smith has to be odds-on to make the semis with one-paced veteran Warren Parry his opponent in round one and either Fallon Sherrock or newcomer Kayden Milne to come in the quarter-finals.

James Wade reached the final last week, losing 8-1 to Clayton but producing some solid performances until the final, and he certainly looks as though he has overcome a health scare. He's the value to come through a top half which is packed with quality.

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