Shot Michael Smith Bully Boy Bristle Review

My review of the Shot Michael Smith Bully Boy Bristle

The Bully Boy Bristle is, first and foremost, the signature dartboard of Michael Smith, 2023 PDC World Champion. The moment I take it out of the box, the message is clear: this is a collector's item, built around the player's colours and branding, positioned as an entry-level board (Entry Level in the retailer's own listing). That said, it's not just style over substance: the classic round wire spider and the 8mm double and triple segments give it a genuinely correct technical level for the price.

If you're a Bully Boy fan looking for a board with real presence on the wall, it ticks the box. If you're chasing pure performance above all else, keep your expectations calibrated: this isn't the thinnest or most technical board on the market, and it isn't trying to be.

My test of the Shot Michael Smith Bully Boy Bristle on the oche

On the oche, the blade spider does what it's supposed to: darts hitting the wires are more likely to slide into a segment than to bounce out cleanly. The 8mm double and triple segments sit right in the current market average, neither exceptionally thin nor outdated, a reasonable compromise that lets you target precise zones without the extreme sharpness of ultra-thin premium boards. Worth noting: the wire is a classic round wire that stays stapled. Only the central bullseye is staple-free, while the rest of the wiring keeps its staples.

In regular use, I can tell the board was built to be solid and enjoyable to play day-to-day, without trying to compete with the most demanding tournament-grade models. That's consistent with its entry-level positioning: a board that does the job properly, carried by the player's image.

Durability of the Shot Michael Smith Bully Boy Bristle

With a score of 7/10, durability sits comfortably in the good average range. The sisal handles repeated sessions well, and the blade structure limits premature wear around the wires compared to a classic spider. It's not top-of-the-range in terms of longevity, but for casual to regular use, the board holds up without particular issues.

Setting up and mounting the board

The Bully Boy Bristle uses the standard 18-inch bristle format, guaranteeing full compatibility with the wall mounts, cabinets and fixing systems commonly found on the market. No surprises to expect on the mounting side: it installs like any traditional bristle board of this size.

Price and value for money

Priced generally between €40 and €55 (around €41 for the board alone, roughly €59 for the cabinet pack), the Bully Boy Bristle sits in an accessible price range for an entry-level signature board. The value for money is good once you factor in the collector angle: you're paying as much for Michael Smith's image as for pure technical performance. For this budget, getting a blade spider, 8mm segments and the standard format remains a solid argument.

Verdict: should you buy the Shot Michael Smith Bully Boy Bristle?

Yes, if you're a fan of Michael Smith and his Bully Boy persona, or if you want an entry-level board with real visual character without blowing your budget. The technical side holds up, without being cutting-edge.

However, if you're a seasoned competitor chasing the thinnest and most performant board possible, you'd be better off looking at a fully staple-free premium board, potentially including Michael Smith's other signature model, the "World Champion", which drops the staples altogether.