Darts High Checkouts: Secrets to Nailing the Big Finish!

Mastering darts high checkouts is the key to consistent winning and elevating your game beyond simply hitting trebles. This article breaks down the most effective high checkout combinations, offering strategies and practice tips to significantly improve your finishing accuracy under pressure. You’ll also learn about alternative checkout routes and the mental game involved in consistently hitting those crucial doubles.

Understanding the Importance of Darts High Checkouts

In the world of darts, securing darts high checkouts is more than just luck; it’s a testament to skill, calculation, and mental fortitude. While hitting maximums and scoring big is essential, the ability to consistently close out legs with a checkout of 100 or more separates good players from great ones. These high finishes often swing the momentum of a match, demoralize opponents, and secure crucial victories. Recognizing the value of consistent high finishes is the first step in committing to learning effective checkout combinations.

Knowing your outs and practicing them relentlessly can dramatically reduce the number of darts you need to finish a leg, increasing your overall average and making you a far more formidable opponent. Think of it like this: consistently hitting 60s and 40s is good, but if you can’t finish effectively, those points become meaningless. This is where the artistry of the darts high checkouts truly shines.

Popular and Effective High Checkout Combinations

Several checkout combinations are considered staples in the world of professional darts. These have proven effective and reliable for countless players over the years. Let’s explore some of the most popular:

• 170 (T20, T20, Bullseye): Arguably the most iconic checkout in darts. Requires absolute precision but is a massive statement when hit.
• 167 (T20, T19, Bullseye): A slightly more forgiving alternative to the 170, replacing one treble 20 with a treble 19.
• 164 (T20, T18, Bullseye): Another variation on the 170 theme, and often preferred if the T20 bed is blocked.
• 161 (T20, T17, Bullseye): Similar to the 164 and 167.
• 160 (T20, T20, D20): A very common high checkout, relying on two treble 20s followed by the crucial double 20.
• 157 (T20, T19, D20): A smart route when the player feels confident on both the treble 20 and treble 19.
• 156 (T20, T20, D18): Another common finish, with the double 18 as the closing shot.
• 155 (T20, T15, D20): An alternative route utilizing the treble 15.
• 150 (T20, T10, Bullseye): A good option when a player needs a bullseye but wants a safety number first.
• 141 (T20, T17, D15): An example of a slightly less common but still very useful high checkout.

It’s important to note that these are just a few examples, and there are numerous other combinations possible. The best strategy is to learn several routes for each starting number and to be adaptable depending on the situation. Practicing these combinations regularly will increase your confidence and improve your finishing accuracy, which you can also track using an Mobile dart scorer.

Strategies for Practicing Darts High Checkouts

Simply knowing the combinations isn’t enough; you need to put in the practice to make them second nature. Here are some effective strategies for practicing darts high checkouts:

• Checkout Practice Routines: Dedicate specific practice sessions solely to checkouts. Start with the most common combinations and gradually expand your repertoire.
• Focus on Doubles: A high percentage of checkouts require hitting a double. Spend significant time practicing your doubles accuracy. A good drill is to start at double 20 and work your way around the board, hitting each double twice before moving on.
• Simulated Match Scenarios: Create realistic game scenarios where you’re under pressure to hit a specific checkout. This will help you develop the mental toughness needed to perform under pressure.
• Target Specific Areas: Don’t just aim for the general area; focus on hitting the exact segment of the board you’re aiming for. This will improve your overall accuracy and consistency.
• Track Your Progress: Keep a record of your checkout percentages and identify areas where you need to improve. This will help you focus your practice efforts and track your progress over time.

Drills to Improve Your Checkout Accuracy

To further enhance your checkout skills, try incorporating these specific drills into your practice routine:

• The ‘Around the Clock’ Doubles Drill: Start at double 1 and work your way around the board to double 20, hitting each double twice before moving on. This helps build consistency and accuracy on all the doubles.
• The 170 Practice Drill: Start with 170 and aim for treble 20. If you hit it, move on to the next treble 20. If you miss, start again at 170. Continue until you hit all three darts for the 170 checkout.
• The Random Checkout Generator Drill: Use a random number generator to select a checkout number between 100 and 170. Then, try to find the most efficient route to checkout that number. This helps you develop your problem-solving skills and adaptability.

Remember that consistency is key. Practice regularly and focus on improving your technique and mental game. With dedication and the right strategies, you can significantly improve your darts high checkouts.

Alternative Checkout Routes and Adaptability

While knowing the standard checkout combinations is important, it’s equally crucial to be adaptable and have alternative routes in mind. What happens if you miss your first dart on the treble 20? Do you have a backup plan? This is where your knowledge of alternative checkout routes comes into play.

For example, if you’re aiming for 160 (T20, T20, D20) and miss the first treble 20, you might switch to a 140 finish (T20, D20, D20) or a 137 (T19, T20, D10) if you also miss the 2nd treble. Being able to quickly calculate and adjust your strategy based on your previous darts is a sign of a skilled player. You also need to know how your darts shafts difference may affect your throw. Also, consider experimenting with darts with good grip to see if they can improve your accuracy on difficult checkouts.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Alternative Route

Several factors can influence your choice of an alternative checkout route, including:

• Your Confidence on Specific Numbers: Are you more comfortable hitting treble 19 than treble 20? Or are you more accurate with double 16 than double 20? Choose routes that play to your strengths.
• The Position of Your Opponent: If your opponent is close to finishing, you might need to take a more aggressive approach, even if it means attempting a riskier checkout.
• The Score Remaining: Sometimes, the best route depends on the score remaining after your first dart. Be prepared to adjust your strategy on the fly.
• How to build darts oche to improve your game.

Developing this adaptability requires experience and a deep understanding of the checkout board. The more you practice and play, the better you’ll become at quickly assessing the situation and choosing the optimal checkout route.

The Mental Game of Darts High Checkouts

The physical skill of hitting the required numbers is only half the battle; the mental game is equally important, especially when it comes to darts high checkouts. Pressure, nerves, and distractions can all impact your performance, making it difficult to execute even the most well-rehearsed checkouts.

Staying calm and focused under pressure is crucial. Develop mental strategies to help you manage your nerves and maintain your concentration. Some common techniques include deep breathing exercises, visualization, and positive self-talk.

Tips for Staying Mentally Strong

Here are some practical tips for strengthening your mental game:

• Develop a Pre-Throw Routine: A consistent pre-throw routine can help you focus and block out distractions. This routine might include taking a deep breath, visualizing the target, and repeating a positive affirmation.
• Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome: Instead of dwelling on the importance of the checkout, focus on the process of executing your throw correctly. This will help you stay in the present moment and avoid getting overwhelmed by pressure.
• Learn from Your Mistakes: Don’t beat yourself up over missed checkouts. Instead, analyze what went wrong and learn from the experience. This will help you improve your technique and mental game over time.
• Embrace the Pressure: View pressure as an opportunity to showcase your skills, rather than a threat. Embrace the challenge and believe in your ability to perform under pressure.

Mastering the mental game is an ongoing process. Be patient with yourself and continue to develop your mental skills alongside your physical skills. The combination of both will make you a formidable darts player.

Advanced Checkout Strategies and Variations

Beyond the standard combinations, advanced players often employ more complex and nuanced checkout strategies. These strategies involve considering factors such as the number of darts in hand, the opponent’s position, and the overall game situation.

For instance, a player might choose to leave a specific number after two darts, even if it’s not the most obvious choice, in order to set up a more favorable checkout with their remaining dart. This requires a deep understanding of the checkout board and the ability to think several steps ahead. Furthermore you can use an excel darts scorer to keep tabs on your games.

Examples of Advanced Checkout Thinking

Here are a couple of examples of advanced checkout thinking:

• Leaving a ‘Number on the Board’: Instead of going for a risky treble with their second dart, a player might choose to leave a relatively easy single number (e.g., 32) to ensure they have a shot at a double with their third dart.
• Setting Up a Bullseye Finish: A player might intentionally leave a number that is easily divisible by 25 (e.g., 50, 75, 100) to give themselves the option of going for the bullseye.
• Blocking Numbers: A player can strategically leave numbers to block a number their opponent might need to checkout.

These advanced strategies require a high level of skill and experience. But by studying the game and observing how professional players approach checkouts, you can gradually incorporate these techniques into your own game.

Conclusion: Mastering Darts High Checkouts for Competitive Success

Ultimately, mastering darts high checkouts is essential for achieving consistent success in competitive darts. By learning the popular combinations, practicing effective drills, developing alternative routes, and strengthening your mental game, you can significantly improve your finishing accuracy and elevate your overall performance. Remember to stay adaptable, think strategically, and always strive to learn and improve.

Now it’s your turn to put these strategies into practice. Head to the dartboard, dedicate some time to checkout drills, and watch your game transform. With dedication and perseverance, you’ll be hitting those darts high checkouts with confidence and consistency in no time! And perhaps, you will understand dart double infinity.

Dieter

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.