Knowing your checkouts is essential for winning at darts. Whether you’re playing 501, 301, or any other ‘01 game, the ability to finish efficiently separates good players from great ones. This guide covers every checkout from 170 down to 2, along with the strategy behind choosing the right routes.
Understanding Checkouts
In standard darts rules, you must finish on a double to win a leg. This means your final dart must land in the outer double ring or the inner bullseye (which counts as double 25). The highest possible checkout is 170, achieved with treble 20, treble 20, and bullseye.
A checkout can be completed in one, two, or three darts depending on your remaining score. Knowing the optimal routes for each score speeds up your decision-making and reduces hesitation at the board.
The Maximum Checkout: 170
The legendary 170 checkout is the highest possible finish in darts. There’s only one way to achieve it:
T20 → T20 → Bull (60 + 60 + 50 = 170)
This finish requires hitting two consecutive treble twenties followed by the bullseye. It’s rare even among professionals, but when it happens, it’s one of the most exciting moments in the sport.
Bogey Numbers
Not every score between 2 and 170 can be finished with three darts. These impossible finishes are called bogey numbers:
- 169 - No valid three-dart finish exists
- 168 - No valid three-dart finish exists
- 166 - No valid three-dart finish exists
- 165 - No valid three-dart finish exists
- 163 - No valid three-dart finish exists
- 162 - No valid three-dart finish exists
- 159 - No valid three-dart finish exists
Smart players avoid leaving themselves on bogey numbers by planning their scoring shots carefully.
Common Two-Dart Finishes (61-100)
These finishes can be completed with two darts, making them valuable targets to leave yourself on:
| Score | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | T20, D20 | The classic ton checkout |
| 98 | T20, D19 | |
| 97 | T19, D20 | |
| 96 | T20, D18 | |
| 92 | T20, D16 | Popular finish |
| 90 | T18, D18 | |
| 88 | T20, D14 | |
| 84 | T20, D12 | |
| 81 | T19, D12 | Very common in matches |
| 80 | T20, D10 | |
| 76 | T20, D8 | |
| 72 | T16, D12 | |
| 70 | T18, D8 | |
| 68 | T20, D4 | |
| 64 | T16, D8 | |
| 61 | T15, D8 |
Key Three-Dart Finishes (101-170)
The most important three-dart checkouts to memorise:
| Score | Route | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | T20, T20, Bull | Only route |
| 167 | T20, T19, Bull | |
| 164 | T20, T18, Bull | |
| 161 | T20, T17, Bull | |
| 160 | T20, T20, D20 | |
| 158 | T20, T20, D19 | |
| 156 | T20, T20, D18 | |
| 152 | T20, T20, D16 | |
| 141 | T20, T19, D12 | T20, T15, D18 |
| 121 | T20, T11, D14 | T17, T10, D20 |
| 110 | T20, T10, D10 | T20, 18, D16 |
| 107 | T19, T10, D10 | T20, 15, D16 |
Single-Dart Finishes (2-40 even numbers)
Every even number from 2 to 40 can be finished with a single dart on the corresponding double:
- 40 = D20
- 38 = D19
- 36 = D18
- 32 = D16 (very popular)
- 20 = D10
- 16 = D8
- 8 = D4
- 4 = D2
- 2 = D1 (the “madhouse”)
The Best Doubles to Leave
Not all doubles are created equal. Some are strategically better because of what happens when you miss:
Double 16 is widely considered the best double to leave on. If you miss inside and hit single 16, you’re left on 16 (D8). Miss that inside, you have 8 (D4), then 4 (D2), then 2 (D1). This “halving” sequence gives you multiple chances.
Double 20 offers the highest value and is directly above the oche, making it psychologically comfortable for many players. However, missing inside leaves single 20, requiring you to hit D10 or adjust.
Double 10 is the favourite of many players because it’s at eye level and breaking down to D5 is manageable.
Finishing Strategy
Set Up Your Favourite Double
Plan your checkout to leave your preferred double. If you love D16, aim for 32 after your setup shots. If D20 is your strength, target 40.
Avoid Odd Numbers
Landing on an odd number below 40 is problematic because you can’t finish on a double. Always plan to leave an even number or a score with a clean two-dart route.
Know Your Covers
“Covering” means leaving yourself on a double if you hit a single. For example, from 36, T12 leaves 0 if you hit it, but S12 leaves D12. This is called a “cover shot” and reduces wasted darts.
Don’t Be Afraid of Bulls
Many amateur players avoid the bull, but at 50 points it’s often the best option for finishes like 110 (T20, Bull) or 107 (T17, Bull). Practice your bulls regularly.
Practice Makes Perfect
Knowing the routes is one thing; hitting them consistently is another. Regular checkout practice builds both knowledge and muscle memory.
Focus on the finishes you see most often: 40, 32, 16, 8 for one-dart finishes; 80, 81, 84 for two-dart finishes; and 121, 100, 141 for three-dart finishes.
Ready to drill your finishes? Try our free Checkout Practice game to work through common checkouts and track your success rate. Pair it with Bob’s 27 to sharpen your doubles accuracy.
Need to calculate a checkout on the fly? Use our Checkout Calculator for instant route suggestions.
Related Guides
- How to Play 501 Darts – Complete beginner’s guide to the game
- 121 Checkout Practice – Master the classic finish
- Score Counting Practice – Speed up your mental arithmetic