Want to score higher and finish faster in darts? The secret isn’t always hitting Treble 20. Top players master the art of switching targets – moving from a blocked Treble 20 to Treble 19 or 18 – to maintain scoring momentum, avoid awkward finishes, and adapt to the flow of the game. This strategic flexibility is crucial for consistency and winning more legs.
The Allure of Treble 20: A Powerful Start
Treble 20 is undeniably the most valuable scoring segment on a dartboard, making it the primary target for players aiming to rack up points quickly. It’s natural to focus your practice and match play on this high-scoring zone. However, relying solely on Treble 20 can hinder your progress if you don’t know when to adapt.
The Crucial Decision: When to Switch Targets
While Treble 20 is excellent, there are specific situations where a smart switch to another target can dramatically improve your chances. This isn’t about abandoning your favourite bed; it’s about making intelligent, in-game decisions.
1. When Your Target is Blocked: Reading Your First Dart
One of the most common reasons to switch is when your first dart makes the Treble 20 bed difficult to hit with subsequent darts. Imagine you’ve thrown a dart that lands just above the Treble 20. While it might have scored 20, the dart’s barrel and flight now partially obscure your intended target. What do you do next?
- The Obstruction Dilemma: Continuing to aim at a smaller, partially blocked section of Treble 20 significantly increases your risk of hitting a single 1 or 5, or even deflecting into an adjacent segment.
- The Smart Move: Instead, consider switching to a clear target like Treble 19 or Treble 18. These segments offer a wide, unobstructed bed, giving you a much higher probability of hitting another treble.
- Grouping Can Hurt: If your darts tend to group tightly, a poorly placed first dart can compound the problem, making your second and third darts even harder. Trying to force a dart into a tight space can lead to wasted throws.
The key is to acknowledge what your first dart has done. Has it opened up the target, or has it created an obstacle? Your decision should be a direct response to this observation.
2. Strategic Scoring: Planning Your Finish
Top players aren’t just scoring; they’re planning. Blindly attacking Treble 20 can sometimes leave you on an awkward number, making your checkout much harder. This is where strategic switching comes into play, even if Treble 20 isn’t blocked.
- Setting Up Your Finish: Sometimes, hitting a Treble 19 with your second or third dart, rather than another Treble 20, will leave you on a much more favourable number for your next visit. For example, leaving 32 instead of 35 can make all the difference.
- Avoiding Unwanted Numbers: Certain numbers are notoriously difficult to finish on (e.g., 163, 166, 169, 172, 173, 175, 176, 178, 179). A strategic switch can help you avoid these ‘bogey’ numbers, setting you up for a smoother path to a double.
This forward-thinking approach transforms scoring from a simple points game into a strategic chess match, where every dart counts towards the ultimate goal: hitting a double.
Practice Makes Perfect: Developing Your Switching Skill
The worst time to discover you’re uncomfortable with Treble 19 is during a crucial match. Developing board awareness and the ability to switch seamlessly requires dedicated practice.
Drills to Improve Your Board Awareness
- The T20-T19-T20 Drill: Throw your first dart at Treble 20. Then, deliberately switch to Treble 19 for your second dart. For your third dart, you can either return to 20 or stay on 19, depending on where your previous darts landed. The initial scores aren’t as important as teaching your body to change sightlines and targets without disrupting your throwing rhythm.
- Expand Your Horizons: Once comfortable, incorporate Treble 18 into your practice. This familiarises you with another valuable scoring area and makes you more versatile across the entire board.
- Recreate Match Scenarios: Throw your first dart into the 20 segment (not necessarily the treble). Now, look at its position. Would you realistically continue aiming at Treble 20, or would you switch? Make that decision consciously. This decision-making element makes your practice highly relevant to actual match play.
Remember to maintain your natural throwing action. When switching targets, only your alignment needs to adjust; your rhythm and power should remain consistent. Avoid the temptation to throw harder or differently just because the target has moved.
Beyond Treble 20: A Holistic Approach to Darts
Ultimately, Treble 20 remains a vital scoring bed. The goal isn’t to avoid it, but to stop treating it as your *only* acceptable target. Darts rewards players who can solve small problems as the leg unfolds.
Sometimes, that means finding the Treble 20 again. But often, it means making an intelligent switch to Treble 19 or 18, protecting a finish, or simply acknowledging that your first dart has changed the dynamics of your visit.
Understanding when to switch from Treble 20 isn’t about blindly copying the pros; it’s about understanding your own game, your grouping, and the specific situation on the board. If your first dart closes one door, don’t hesitate to open another.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
