Mastering darts checkout maths is key to winning more games; it lets you plan your final throws strategically and consistently hit those crucial doubles. This article demystifies the calculations, offering a practical guide to understanding common checkouts, effective practice techniques, and mental strategies for success on the oche.
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Understanding the Fundamentals of Darts Checkout Maths
Before diving into specific checkouts, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamental principles of darts checkout maths. This involves understanding how to reduce your score efficiently and setting yourself up for a double finish. The goal is not always to hit the highest possible score on each throw; strategic play often involves leaving yourself a manageable double.

The Importance of Leaving a Double
The cardinal rule of darts checkout maths is to always aim to leave yourself a double. Every dart throw should contribute to setting up your final shot at closing the game on a double segment. Remember that you must finish on a double, so knowing your doubles is critical. Consider your remaining score and calculate what you need to hit with your next dart(s) to position yourself for a double attempt. The article are target darts the best further explores essential darts skills and equipment.
Understanding the Scoring System
A firm understanding of the scoring system is paramount. Knowing that the board is divided into segments worth 1 to 20 points, along with the double and treble rings, is the first step in mastering checkout calculations. Furthermore, knowing the value of each segment around the board without hesitation will help improve your decision making. Quick mental math is necessary for efficient darts checkout maths.
Common Darts Checkouts and Strategies
Let’s explore some of the most common and effective darts checkout maths sequences. These examples will help illustrate how to plan your throws and increase your chances of success.
The Classic 40 (Double 20) Checkout
Arguably the most iconic checkout, the 40 (double 20) is frequently used and a solid target when starting checkout attempts. Typically, you would aim for a single 20 to leave yourself with double 20. This may be one of the easiest doubles to hit and is a common first choice when available.
The 81 Checkout
The 81 checkout is a classic example of setting up a two-dart finish. The most common route is: T20 (60), followed by a single 21 to leave you with D20 to win. When learning darts checkout maths, memorize the most popular ways to checkout of 81.
The 170 Checkout (T20, T20, Bullseye)
The highest possible checkout in darts, the 170 checkout is a rare and impressive feat. It requires hitting a treble 20, another treble 20, and then the bullseye. While not a practical checkout to plan for regularly, understanding its components highlights the importance of treble proficiency in high-level darts checkout maths.

The 167 Checkout
T20 (60), T19 (57), Bullseye (50). This is another difficult checkout, but a useful one to know, since a miss on the first T20, which only yields 20, will leave you with 147, which can be checked out as: T20 (60), T19 (57), D15 (30).
Other Important Checkouts to Know
- 164: T20, T18, D16
- 161: T20, T17, Bullseye
- 160: T20, T20, D20
- 158: T20, T20, D19
- 157: T20, T19, D20
- 156: T20, T20, D18
- 155: T20, T19, D19
Practicing Your Darts Checkout Maths
Knowledge of darts checkout maths is only half the battle; you need to practice regularly to internalize these checkouts and develop the muscle memory to execute them under pressure. Consider using a dart counter device to help with checkout training.
Checkout Practice Routines
Design specific practice routines focused on checkout combinations. One effective method is to start with a random score and practice checking out from that number. Use a darts scoring app like Cricket darts scorer app to keep track of your practice sessions and checkout percentages.
The “Around the Clock” Doubles Drill
This drill involves starting at double 1 and working your way around the board to double 20, hitting each double segment consecutively. This helps improve your accuracy and consistency on the doubles, which are essential for closing out games. You may even love the darts even more as your doubles become more consistent!
Random Number Generation
Use a random number generator to select a score between 41 and 170 (excluding numbers that can only be checked out with 3 single numbers) and then attempt to check out from that score. This simulates the unpredictable nature of actual games and forces you to think on your feet and apply your darts checkout maths knowledge creatively.

Mental Strategies for Darts Checkout Maths
Beyond the calculations and practice, mental fortitude is critical for successful darts checkout maths. Maintaining composure under pressure and making smart decisions are crucial factors.
Staying Calm Under Pressure
During a match, especially in a crucial leg, it’s easy to feel the pressure. Take a deep breath, visualize your target, and focus on your technique. Avoid rushing your throws, and trust in your practice and calculations. Remember to stay calm and confident, even if you miss your first dart.
Adapting to Missed Darts
It’s inevitable that you’ll miss darts during a game. The key is to adapt quickly and adjust your strategy. If you miss your intended target, reassess the situation and calculate the best way to set up your next throw. Don’t dwell on the missed dart; focus on the next opportunity. Think about how a qt dart could potentially improve your aim.
Knowing When to Play for a Specific Double
Sometimes, it’s strategically advantageous to play for a specific double, even if it’s not the most straightforward checkout. For example, if your opponent is closing in on a checkout, you might want to aim for a double that leaves you with a more favorable setup for the next round, even if it means sacrificing a slightly higher checkout percentage in the current round. This depends on the game, your skill with certain doubles, and your opponent’s skill. This kind of in-game darts checkout maths can be extremely helpful.
Advanced Darts Checkout Maths Techniques
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can explore more advanced techniques to further refine your checkout strategy.
Understanding Outs
An “out” refers to a viable checkout combination for a given score. Experienced players develop a deep understanding of various outs and can quickly identify the most efficient path to the double. For example, if you hit a single 20 when aiming for a T20 (leaving 41), you may want to aim for the single 1 to leave 40 (double 20). Having the knowledge for outs is crucial for advanced darts checkout maths.
Calculating Probabilities
While not practical during a game, analyzing checkout probabilities can help you refine your practice routines and identify areas where you need to improve. For example, you can track your checkout percentage on different doubles and focus your practice on the doubles where you struggle the most.

Using Checkout Charts and Calculators
Checkout charts and calculators can be helpful tools for learning and memorizing common checkouts. While you shouldn’t rely on them during a game, they can aid in visualization and understanding checkout combinations. Consider using these tools while training. This may help you plan dart flight ends and throws better.
Darts Checkout Maths: Real-World Examples
Let’s look at some real-world examples of how darts checkout maths can be applied in a match.
Scenario 1: Remaining Score of 96
A player is left with 96. The most common route would be to hit a T20 (60) and then a D18 (36). This involves setting up the standard routes you have practised. However, if the player is not confident in their treble accuracy, they might aim for a single 20 (20), leaving 76, then T20 (60) and then the D8 (16). This route relies less on hitting a T20 and more on hitting the D8, which may be easier for some players.
Scenario 2: Remaining Score of 68
The player is left with 68. The best route would be to hit the T16 (48), leaving a D10 (20) to win. A less common route would involve hitting the single 20 (20), leaving 48 for D24.
Scenario 3: When Opponent is on a Checkout
The importance of darts checkout maths really shines when your opponent is on a potential checkout. In this scenario, it is important to assess the opponent’s throwing skill and their remaining score. You must focus on hitting high scores in an attempt to block your opponent from completing their checkout. This requires a solid understanding of the game, and advanced darts checkout maths.

Conclusion: Mastering Darts Checkout Maths for Victory
Mastering darts checkout maths is crucial for taking your dart game to the next level. By understanding the fundamentals, practicing common checkouts, developing mental strategies, and exploring advanced techniques, you can significantly improve your accuracy, consistency, and decision-making ability on the oche. Remember to stay calm under pressure, adapt to missed darts, and continuously refine your checkout strategy through practice and analysis. Practice regularly and you may one day be competing in where is the darts players championship. Take the time to implement these strategies, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving more victories and dominating the dartboard. So, step up to the oche, apply your knowledge of darts checkout maths, and start winning more games today!
Hi, I’m Dieter, and I created Dartcounter (Dartcounterapp.com). My motivation wasn’t being a darts expert – quite the opposite! When I first started playing, I loved the game but found keeping accurate scores and tracking stats difficult and distracting.
I figured I couldn’t be the only one struggling with this. So, I decided to build a solution: an easy-to-use application that everyone, no matter their experience level, could use to manage scoring effortlessly.
My goal for Dartcounter was simple: let the app handle the numbers – the scoring, the averages, the stats, even checkout suggestions – so players could focus purely on their throw and enjoying the game. It began as a way to solve my own beginner’s problem, and I’m thrilled it has grown into a helpful tool for the wider darts community.