How to Increase Your Checkout Success Rate: Step‑by‑Step Darts Strategies for Competitive Play

You’ve felt that sting of missing a double when the match is on the line. It happens to the best of us, but the good news is you can train your checkout game just like you train your throws. In today’s post I’ll walk you through a simple, no‑fluff plan that will lift your checkout percentage and keep you calm when the pressure mounts.

Why Checkout Matters More Than You Think

Most players spend hours perfecting their triples, but the final dart decides the score. A high checkout rate means you finish legs faster, keep your opponent on the back foot, and look good on TV. In a tournament setting a single missed double can be the difference between a prize and a night in the hotel lobby.

Step 1 – Know Your Preferred Checkout Routes

Pick the “sweet spots”

Every player has a set of numbers they feel comfortable hitting under pressure. For most pros the 20‑19‑18 segment is a reliable “fallback” because the board is wide and the numbers are close together. Write down the three most common ways you finish a 100, 120 and 140. For example:

100 – 20, 20, double 20
120 – 20, 20, double 20 (or 20, 20, double 20)
140 – 20, 20, double 20 (or 20, 20, double 20)

Having a short list means you won’t waste brain‑power deciding on the fly. When you walk onto the oche, you already know the exact numbers you’ll aim for.

Test them in practice

Set up a “checkout drill” where you start each round at a specific score and must finish it in three darts. Do 20 rounds of 100, then 20 of 120, then 20 of 140. Record how many times you hit the exact route you wrote down. If you miss more than 30% of the time, swap one of the numbers for a more comfortable target (e.g., replace a double 12 with a double 8).

Step 2 – Master the “Double‑First” Mindset

The logic behind it

When you’re on a finish that leaves a double, many players instinctively aim for the triple first, hoping to set up an easier double later. The problem is you add an extra decision point and increase the chance of a miss. The “double‑first” approach says: if a double is in reach, aim for it right away.

Practice it with a “double‑first” drill

Pick a common finish like 32 (double 16). Throw three darts, but the rule is: the first dart must be at double 16. If you hit it, you win the round. If you miss, you still have two darts left to try again. Do 50 rounds. You’ll notice your confidence in hitting doubles rise quickly because you train the brain to see the double as the primary target.

Step 3 – Use the “Two‑Dart Finish” Whenever Possible

Why it matters

Finishing in two darts saves you a throw and reduces the chance of a miss. The classic example is 100: hit a single 20, then a double 20. If you can practice the exact two‑dart combos for the most common scores, you’ll finish legs faster.

Build a “two‑dart library”

Write down the two‑dart finishes for scores from 40 to 120 that you encounter often. Here are a few to get you started:

40 – double 20
60 – single 20, double 20
80 – single 20, double 30 (or single 20, double 30)
100 – single 20, double 20
120 – single 20, double 30

Practice each combo until you can hit it without thinking. When you’re in a match, glance at the score, pick the two‑dart option, and go for it.

Step 4 – Train Your “Finish Rhythm”

The power of a steady routine

Top players talk about a “checkout rhythm” – a smooth, repeatable motion that carries you from the first dart to the last without hesitation. The rhythm includes your stance, grip, and the way you count the numbers in your head.

Create your own rhythm

Stance – Keep your feet shoulder‑width apart, weight balanced.
Grip – Hold the dart lightly, like a feather, not a hammer.
Count – Say the numbers out loud: “20, 20, double 20.”

Do this for every checkout practice session. After a few weeks the rhythm becomes second nature, and you’ll find yourself staying calm even when the crowd is loud.

Step 5 – Simulate Pressure

Real‑world pressure is the best teacher

Practice in a quiet room and you’ll improve, but you won’t learn how to handle the nerves of a televised final. Bring the pressure into your training.

How to do it

Crowd noise – Play a recording of a cheering crowd on low volume while you practice.
Time limit – Give yourself 30 seconds to finish a checkout. The clock forces you to think fast.
Bet the game – Put a small stake on each practice round (a coffee, a snack). The tiny risk triggers the same adrenaline you feel in a match.

When you finally step onto the tournament stage, the drill will feel familiar, not frightening.

Step 6 – Review and Adjust After Every Match

Keep a checkout log

After each tournament, write down every checkout you attempted: the score, the route you chose, and whether you hit it. Look for patterns. Maybe you miss double 16 more often than double 20. If that’s the case, add extra double‑16 drills to your routine.

Small tweaks, big gains

If you notice you’re consistently off by a few millimeters on a certain double, adjust your stance or grip slightly. The best players make tiny changes based on data, not gut feeling.

Putting It All Together

Here’s a quick checklist you can print and keep in your dart bag:

Know your top three checkout routes – write them down.
Double‑first drill – 50 rounds of a single double.
Two‑dart library – memorize the easiest two‑dart combos.
Set a finish rhythm – stance, grip, count out loud.
Add pressure – crowd noise, timer, small stakes.
Log every checkout – review after each event.

Follow these steps for a few weeks and you’ll see your checkout percentage climb. The numbers on the board will still be the same, but the way you approach them will be sharper, calmer, and more reliable. That’s the edge you need to turn good games into great ones.

#bullseyechronicles #darts #checkout