Darts Checkouts Explained: How to Finish a Leg (and the Ones to Learn First)

Scoring big is fun, but darts matches are won and lost on the doubles. Here's how finishing works, and the checkouts worth learning first.

The rule: finish on a double

In 501 you have to hit exactly zero, and your last dart must land in a double (or the bullseye, which counts as double 25). For example, if you need 40, you finish with double 20.

If you score more than you need, or leave yourself on 1, it's a bust: the whole visit doesn't count and your score goes back to what it was.

Why 32 and 40 are the favourites

Pros love leaving 32 (double 16) and 40 (double 20). Miss into the single and you halve the score but still have a double left: 32 becomes 16 (double 8), then 8 (double 4), and so on. It gives you more chances to finish.

Simple checkouts to learn first

• 40: double 20
• 36: double 18
• 32: double 16
• 41: single 9, double 16
• 50: bullseye, or single 10 and double 20
• 60: single 20, double 20
• 81: treble 19, double 12
• 100: treble 20, double 20

Odd number? Hit an odd single first to leave yourself an even number, which gives you a double to aim at.

The big ones

• 170: treble 20, treble 20, bull. The biggest finish in darts.
• 167: treble 20, treble 19, bull.
• 164: treble 20, treble 18, bull.
• 161: treble 20, treble 17, bull.

Bogey numbers

Some scores can't be finished with three darts. If you're on 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162 or 159, you'll need at least two visits, so set up a better finish instead.

How to practise doubles

Try Round the Clock on doubles: hit double 1, then double 2, all the way to double 20 and the bull. Or play Bob's 27, explained in our 5 games to play at home. Our 20-minute practice routine includes doubles work too.

Write your checkouts up on a Light Up Scoreboard and you'll start to remember them. Free UK delivery on every order.