A “relived” punter has secured a hefty payout after Michael Smith’s sensational victory over Michael van Gerwen in the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship final.
Smith delivered a show-stealing performance in front of the Ally Pally crowd at Alexandra Palace on Tuesday after bouncing back from a first-set defeat to Van Gerwen.
World No 1 Smith fought back in the second leg and blew the contest wide open after producing a speculator nine-dart finish.
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The 32-year-old darts star, who replaced Gerwyn Price as world No 1 after the final, went on to seal a stunning 7-4 victory over world No 3 Van Gerwen.
One Smith fan took to social media to congratulate the “world-class” champion on his performance, as well as sharing an incredible bet that he won from the final.
Mitchell Watton, from Droitwich Spa, placed a £50 doubles bet on ‘Bully Boy,’ which included a win at the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts at 12-1 odds.
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And the lucky 25-year-old punter’s other bet -- again at 12-1 odds -- for Smith to emerge victorious at the PDC World Darts Championship.
Following Smith’s victory over Van Gerwen, Watton’s £50 stake on Bet365 saw him secure a whopping £8,450 return.
Speaking to SPORTbible in an exclusive interview, Watton said: “Michael Smith fan I have been for years.
“Knew he’d win a load of majors one day, so just knew if he won one, he’d win the Worlds.
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“Left the Players Championship out because I knew he’d be focusing on the Worlds if he won the Grand Slam.”
During a nail-biting final for Watton, the punter admitted that he was “relieved more than anything” when Smith turned the tide in his favour.
He added that Smith’s sensational nine-darter was a “massive mental turning point in the match” for him.
When asked if he ever considered cashing out his bet early, Watton told SPORTbible: “I was never going to cash-out -- I wasn’t even tempted. I was always going to ride it out.”
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Watton’s £8,450 win will prove invaluable for him going forward, with the punter using his little cash nest on a bigger car ahead of their first child’s arrival.
“The money is going on a bigger car as me and my partner have our first child on the way, so it’s going towards that,” he explained.
“Just need to get a signed Smith top for my wall as well with the money and that’ll be it!”
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While Watton walked away feeling on top of the world, the same might not be said for two of his close pals.
Why? Well, that’s because Watton shared his betting plan with his mates Olly and Josh, only for both of them to miss the opportunity to place a similar bet.
“I also sent the bet to two of my mates -- Olly and Josh -- who didn’t place it, so can’t say I didn’t spread it,” Watton added.
Adnan Riaz