Complete Darts Checkout Guide: Strategy, Tips & Pro Finishes

Understanding darts checkouts is what separates casual players from competitors. Whether you play 501 or 301, knowing how to finish efficiently is the single biggest factor in winning more legs. This guide covers everything you need to know about darts checkouts, from basic rules to the strategies professional players use on the PDC and WDF tours.

How Checkouts Work in 501 and 301

In standard darts, both 501 and 301 are "double out" games. This means your final dart must land in a double segment or the bullseye (which counts as double 25, worth 50 points) to win the leg. You must reach exactly zero — going past zero (called "busting") means your entire turn is void and your score resets to what it was before that throw.

A checkout is any score of 170 or below where it is mathematically possible to reach zero in three darts or fewer while finishing on a double. Most scores between 2 and 170 have a valid checkout, but seven scores are impossible: 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162, and 159. These cannot be finished in three darts ending on a double.

Key Rule: In both 501 and 301, you must hit a double (or bullseye) with your final dart. If you reduce your score to 1, you've busted — there is no "double half" to hit. The lowest possible checkout is 2 (double 1).

The Highest Checkouts: 170, 167, 164, 161

The four highest checkouts all finish on the bullseye and are considered prestigious shots in professional darts:

170 (T20, T20, Bull) — The "Big Fish." The maximum checkout and one of the rarest finishes in professional play.
167 (T20, T19, Bull) — The second-highest checkout, requiring two different trebles plus bull.
164 (T20, T18, Bull) — Third-highest, another treble-treble-bull combination.
161 (T20, T17, Bull) — The fourth-highest checkout.

After 161, the next checkout (160) uses T20, T20, D20 — no longer requiring the bullseye. Many players prefer routes through D20 and D16 because those doubles are more reliable targets.

Strategy for Setting Up Checkouts

Great darts players don't just throw at treble 20 blindly. They think one or two visits ahead to leave themselves on a preferred checkout number. Here are the key strategic principles:

Leave yourself on an even number. Since you must finish on a double, an even remaining score gives you a direct double-out option. Odd scores require an extra dart to set up the double.
Aim for "favorite" doubles. Most players have a preferred double — commonly D16, D20, or D8. Professional players often try to leave 32 (D16) or 40 (D20) because missing slightly still leaves a manageable finish.
The D16 ladder. Double 16 is the most popular finishing double because if you miss and hit single 16, you're left on 16 — which is D8. Miss D8 into single 8, and you're on D4. Miss that into single 4, and you're on D2. Each miss leaves another clean double. This "halving" ladder is the backbone of checkout strategy.
Know your bogey numbers. Some odd numbers in the 50-80 range are awkward because they require hitting a specific single to leave a clean double. Practice these transitions.

Pro Tip: When you're on an odd number above 40, throw at an odd single (like 19, 17, or 15) to leave an even number. For example, on 57: hit single 17 to leave 40 (D20).

Most Common Checkouts Pros Use

Professional darts players on the PDC tour have highly consistent checkout patterns. The most frequently seen finishes in televised darts are:

40 (D20) — The simplest power finish. One dart at double 20.
32 (D16) — The most popular double, thanks to the halving ladder.
36 (D18) — A clean single-dart finish often left after hitting T19.
80 (T20, D10) — A common two-dart finish from a high remaining score.
100 (T20, D20) — The classic two-dart ton checkout.
120 (T20, 20, D20) — "Shanghai" finish, all three darts in the 20 segment.
121 (T20, T11, D14) — A tricky but well-known three-dart finish.
141 (T20, T19, D12) — A common high finish in professional play.

Tips for Improving Your Checkout Percentage

Your checkout percentage — the rate at which you finish when you have a checkout opportunity — is arguably the most important stat in competitive darts. Here's how to improve it:

Memorize checkouts up to 100. You should know every two-dart and one-dart finish without thinking. Use our darts checkout calculator to study until the routes are automatic.
Practice doubles relentlessly. Spend at least 30% of your practice time on doubles. A good drill: start at D1 and work around the board to D20, then bull. You must hit each double before moving on.
Learn the "cover shots." For three-dart checkouts, know what to throw if you miss your first dart. For example, on 100 if you hit single 20 instead of T20, you're now on 80 (T20, D10). Have a backup plan ready.
Don't always go for the highest treble. If 96 gives you T20, D18, but you're more confident in D16, consider throwing 4 first to leave 92 (T20, D16). Playing to your strengths wins more legs than following the textbook route.
Stay calm under pressure. The biggest factor in checkout percentage is composure. Develop a pre-throw routine and stick to it on every single dart, whether it's practice or a final-leg decider.

Practice Drill: Set yourself on 101 and try to check out. Then 102, 103, etc. up to 170. Track how many attempts each takes. Over weeks, you'll see your range and confidence expand dramatically.

501 vs 301: Checkout Differences

While the checkout routes are identical in both 501 and 301 (you always finish on a double), the games differ in how you reach checkout range. In 501, the early game is about scoring as fast as possible — hitting T20s to reduce your score. In 301, some variations require a "double in" to start scoring, which adds complexity.

The key takeaway: regardless of the game format, once you're at 170 or below, checkout strategy is universal. Master the routes in our checkout chart, and you'll be better prepared for any format you encounter at league night, tournaments, or casual play.

Use the Darts Checkout Calculator →