The most exciting moments in darts often hinge on a single throw, and understanding the nuances of darts best finishes can significantly enhance your appreciation for the game. This article explores the most iconic and strategically brilliant checkouts in darts history, detailing the combinations, the pressure involved, and what makes them so memorable. You’ll also learn tips for improving your own finishing game and understanding the strategic thinking behind successful darts outshots.
⚠️ Still Using Pen & Paper (or a Chalkboard)?! ⚠️
Step into the future! The Dart Counter App handles all the scoring, suggests checkouts, and tracks your stats automatically. It's easier than you think!
Try the Smart Dart Counter App FREE!Ready for an upgrade? Click above!
Mastering the Art of Darts Best Finishes

The ability to finish strongly is what separates good darts players from the truly great ones. While consistent scoring is important, knowing how to close out a leg with precision and composure under pressure is crucial. A “finish” in darts refers to the final three darts thrown to reduce a player’s score from whatever remains down to zero (0). This is also known as a “checkout” or an “outshot.” The final dart of the three must be either a double or the bullseye (which counts as double 25).
There’s more to it than just hitting the right numbers. Strategic thinking plays a huge role. For example, a player might intentionally leave themselves a certain number that offers multiple routes to a checkout, increasing their chances of success. This is why understanding common and uncommon darts combinations is essential.
Common Darts Finishes: The Bread and Butter
Some finishes are simply more common than others due to their ease of calculation and the prevalence of certain numbers in the game. Let’s examine some of the most frequently seen and reliable darts outshots:
- 40 (Double 20): Arguably the most common finish. Easy to remember and often left after hitting a good score.
- 32 (Double 16): Another very common finish. Players often aim for the single 16 in the hope of leaving double 16, particularly when on scores such as 41.
- 50 (Bullseye): Always a crowd-pleaser! This is more difficult than hitting a double but can be a great way to close out a leg with style, especially when left with 50.
- 60 (Triple 20, Double Top): This is usually achieved when players miscount, but it can be used if the player only has 2 darts at the board.
- 62 (20, 20, Double 11): A less common but still useful finish.
Knowing these basic finishes and the scores that commonly lead to them is a fundamental part of improving your darts game. Remembering these checkouts is the first step in understanding darts number meaning, and how to make the most of each throw.
Iconic and Unforgettable Darts Best Finishes
Beyond the common checkouts, certain finishes have etched themselves into darts history due to their difficulty, the circumstances surrounding them, or the sheer drama involved. These are the moments that live long in the memory of darts fans. Many player darts have contributed to unforgettable moments in the sport’s history.

Consider the following examples:
- 170 (Triple 20, Triple 20, Bullseye): The “Big Fish.” The highest possible checkout in darts and arguably the most exciting. Seeing a player nail a 170 finish is always a spectacle.
- 164 (Triple 20, Triple 18, Double 16): A slightly less common but equally impressive high checkout. The strategic element of switching to the Triple 18 adds a layer of complexity.
- 161 (Triple 20, Triple 17, Bullseye): Another route to a high finish. Often considered the alternative to 164 when a player isn’t comfortable switching to the Triple 18.
- Any Finish with Two Bulls: While not a specific number, any checkout that requires two bullseyes is inherently difficult and exciting to watch. For example, 100 (Bullseye, Bullseye) or 121 (Bullseye, 11, Bullseye).
These iconic finishes demonstrate the incredible skill and mental fortitude required to excel in darts. The pressure of hitting these checkouts in crucial moments is immense, making them all the more memorable.
The Pressure of Big Stage Finishes
The atmosphere in a major darts tournament can be electric, and the pressure on the players to perform is immense. Hitting a crucial checkout in front of a large crowd, with millions watching on television, requires nerves of steel. This is where experience and mental toughness come into play. Knowing how to handle that pressure and focus on the task at hand is what sets the best players apart.
Many players have spoken about the mental strategies they use to cope with the pressure. These can include visualization techniques, breathing exercises, and focusing on the process rather than the outcome. Ultimately, the ability to remain calm and composed under pressure is a key ingredient for success in darts.
Improving Your Own Darts Outshots
While hitting a 170 finish might seem like a distant dream, there are plenty of ways to improve your own finishing game and increase your chances of success. Here are some practical tips:
- Practice, Practice, Practice: This might seem obvious, but consistent practice is the key to improving any skill. Focus on practicing your doubles and bullseye.
- Learn the Common Finishes: Familiarize yourself with the most common checkouts and the scores that lead to them. This will help you make better decisions at the oche.
- Develop a Strategic Approach: Don’t just blindly aim for the highest score possible. Think about what you want to leave yourself for your next visit.
- Analyze Your Game: Keep track of your scores and identify your weaknesses. Are you struggling with a particular double? Are you missing too many bullseyes?
- Use a Darts Scorekeeper App: Utilise Darts scorekeeper app [https://dartcounterapp.com/] to meticulously track your matches, analyse your performance, and pinpoint areas for improvement.
By following these tips and dedicating yourself to improving your game, you can start to see a real difference in your finishing ability. You’ll start hitting those crucial checkouts more consistently and closing out legs with greater confidence.

The Importance of Leaving a Finish
A crucial aspect of improving your finishing game is understanding the importance of leaving yourself a finish. This means strategically aiming for scores that will leave you with a manageable checkout on your next visit to the oche. For example, if you’re on 101, you might aim for the treble 17 to leave you with double 16. This is a much better option than blindly aiming for the treble 20, which could leave you with an awkward number to finish.
Learning to “leave a finish” requires careful calculation and an understanding of the numbers on the dartboard. It also requires the ability to adapt your strategy based on the situation. If your opponent is closing in on their own checkout, you might need to take more risks to increase your chances of winning the leg. The dartboard backdrop is irrelevant if you can’t calculate effectively.
Advanced Strategies for Darts Outshots
Once you’ve mastered the basics of finishing, you can start to explore more advanced strategies. These include:
- Setting Up Combinations: Intentionally leaving yourself a specific number that offers multiple routes to a checkout. For example, leaving 32 (double 16) allows you to go for double 16 with your first dart and then have another attempt if you miss.
- Playing the Percentages: Choosing the finish that offers the highest probability of success, even if it’s not the highest possible checkout. Sometimes, a less risky finish is the best option.
- Understanding Opponent Strategy: Paying attention to your opponent’s scoring and finishing patterns. This can help you anticipate their next move and adjust your strategy accordingly. This could be how the affect dart walk ons.
These advanced strategies require a deep understanding of the game and the ability to think several steps ahead. They are the hallmarks of a truly skilled darts player.
Famous Darts Moments and Their Darts Best Finishes
Many famous darts moments revolve around spectacular darts best finishes. These include Phil Taylor’s numerous nine-dart finishes, Michael van Gerwen’s incredible scoring bursts, and Gerwyn Price’s dramatic comebacks. Each of these moments showcases the skill, precision, and mental fortitude required to succeed at the highest level of darts.

Analyzing these famous moments can provide valuable insights into the strategies and techniques used by the world’s best players. By studying their approach to finishing and their ability to perform under pressure, you can learn valuable lessons that can help you improve your own game. Even the best pros can have bad days; that’s why it’s about darts potts point – the points are always there to be won.
The Evolution of Checkout Strategies
Checkout strategies in darts have evolved significantly over the years. In the early days of the sport, players often relied on simple, straightforward finishes. However, as the game has become more professional and competitive, players have developed more sophisticated and nuanced strategies. This evolution reflects the increasing skill and knowledge within the sport.
Today, top players are constantly analyzing their own games and experimenting with new approaches to finishing. They are using data and analytics to identify optimal checkout routes and to refine their strategies. This constant pursuit of improvement is what drives the sport forward.
The Future of Darts Finishes
As darts continues to evolve, it’s likely that we will see even more innovative and exciting finishing strategies emerge. The increasing use of technology and data analytics will undoubtedly play a role in this evolution. Players will have access to more information than ever before, allowing them to make more informed decisions at the oche.

It’s also possible that we will see new formats and rules introduced that further emphasize the importance of finishing. This could include changes to the scoring system or the introduction of new bonus points for hitting certain checkouts. Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain: the art of finishing will continue to be a crucial aspect of the game. Understanding darts flights explained, for instance, helps with accuracy, which is core to the checkout.
Conclusion: Mastering Darts Best Finishes
Mastering the art of darts best finishes is essential for any player looking to improve their game and compete at a higher level. By understanding the common checkouts, developing a strategic approach, and practicing consistently, you can significantly increase your chances of success. Remember to analyze your game, identify your weaknesses, and use a Darts scorekeeper app [https://dartcounterapp.com/] to track your progress.
So, grab your darts, step up to the oche, and start practicing those finishes. With dedication and hard work, you can become a more confident and successful darts player. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll even hit that elusive 170 finish! Now that you know more about darts best finishes, why not refine your throw?
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.