CHECKING  OUT  TIME
                       
                           
      Much confusion surrounds the correct way to check out on a ’01 game of darts. Most dart bars display a chart showing the perfect way to check out on all finishes from 170 down. Unfortunately for us mere mortals at the game perfection often deserts us when attempting these ‘outs’.

This article offers an alternative to perfection that should with practice, make both finishing less confusing and improve your overall game statistics.

 
     

Firstly don’t forget the four rules of attempting a finish. They are:

      
                           
   

One:  Before deciding to attempt to finish a high number especially those above 120 make a note of your opponents score. If his/her own score remaining requires 2 or more throws to finish such as 170+ then trying the out shot may not be worth the risk.

Two:  The risk factor in attempting high out shots is failing miserably to such a point that refusing the out and concentrating on a reducing score makes better sense.

Three:  Wherever possible always choose a finish strategy leaving an even double. In this way if you miss the double inside you still leave a double.

Four:  Until you become perfect at the game choose high trebles that are within your accuracy range. If you prefer to score on 19’s then finish using 19’s.

For example 126.
Throwing at 60 with the first dart requires a second treble or 16 + bull (50). Good players who do not fear the 25 leave prefer to throw at 19’s because if they miss the treble with their first dart they can still finish (57+19+50). A safer route offering better percentages and better leaves is 18’s (54+36+36) or treble ,double, double. If you miss all your targets but stay in the 18’s you leave 72 – an easier "even" finish.		      
                           
      With the hope that this is not confusing to the reader lets examine out shots and the best way to tackle them with percentages in mind and incorporating all the above.

It is well worth mentioning the numbers that cannot be finished in 3 darts.

169  -  168  -  166  -  165

163  -  162  -  159

All other numbers can be executed in 3 darts some will require a bull (50) finish.		  
     

3  DART  FINISHES

      
                           
     
  TREBLE TREBLE DOUBLE
170 = 20 20 50
167 = 20 19 50
164 = 20 18 50
161 = 20 17 50
158 = 18 18 50
155 = 20 15 50
In an effort to make the tables easier to remember I have assembled them by similarity requirements.

The first table all require a bull finish.

All other check-outs can be achieved with a double.		      
                           
   
  TREBLE TREBLE DOUBLE     TREBLE TREBLE DOUBLE  
160 = 20 20 20 158 = 20 20 19
157 = 20 19 20 156 = 20 20 18
154 = 20 18 20 or 154 = 19 19 20 (If better on 19's)
153 = 20 19 18   152 = 20 20 16  
151 = 20 17 20 150 = 20 18 18
149 = 20 19 16 148 = 18 18 20 or 48+60+40
147 = 19 18 18 or 147 = 20 17 18  
146 = 60+54+32       145 = 60+45+40    
144 = 54+54+36     143 = 57+54+32    
142 = 60+42+40     or 142 = 54+48+40    
141 = 51+54+36       140 = 60+40+40 (2X double top)
   
                           
      All other descending finishes follow the same rules. Choose an ideal double and one treble 20 or 18 to work out what other treble if any is required.

The golden rule for high finishes is this. If you miss your first treble revert to a score as you’ve missed the chance this time.		      
                           
         

2 Dart Finishes

          
     
Two dart finishes require much less mental application but the same rules apply.

Always where possible choose an even number that if missed will still offer another double.

Ideal doubles are: 20, 18, 16, 12 and 8
Highest 2 dart finish is 110 = x20 + bull

Other 3 digit 2 dart finishes are:
107,104, 101,100 the first three require the bull (double bull) to finish.		      
     

The lower the finish required, the easier the calculation becomes.

      
                           
      Where two dart 2 digit finishes are concerned, work backwards from one of the preferred doubles above to assess what is required to reach that double.

Example
99 left, you want double 20 so you need to score 59. Try 19 + 2x double top which is easier to hit than two trebles. If you hit treble 19 leaving 42 hit 6 or 10 leaving an even number 36 or 32.

With leaves of 80 and 72 only, always try for the two double outs 2x40 and 2x36 the odds are you will get better results than chasing round the board for a finish.		      
     

     
      BUT, know your finish before you address the ‘Oche’ and commit with intent.

Good Shooting
Ben		      
   
   
     

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