Rick's Doubling Out Charts Copyright © 2005 by Rick Smith How To Get More Shots at the Double Out ...also available in Coach's Corner on the Darts Ontario website

This page has been viewed <font color="#FF0000"> <strong><a href="http://www.statcounter.com/" _wpro_href="http://www.statcounter.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://c7.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=1074453&java=0&security=462fcfb5&invisible=0" _wpro_src="http://c7.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=1074453&java=0&security=462fcfb5&invisible=0" alt="html hit counter" border="0"></a> </strong> </font> times since April, 2005 Many thanks goes to Catherine Haycock from Darts Ontario for the endless debates and learnings

Last updates:

April 5, 2006 - fixed finish for 150 (typo was T19-T19-D16...bad math...duh...thanks to Perry Decker from Brampton for pointing that one out)

March 15, 2006 - new option for 78

February 12, 2007 - Thanks to Michael Abbott from North Oakland Dart Association in Michigan for showing a better option for 17. This also caused me to rethink and update 13 & 15.

March 9, 2007 - Thanks to KM Matheson from the Canadian Armed Forces for pointing out a typo in 38.

March 9, 2007 - Here are a couple of posters to put up near your board - poster #1 and poster #2

August 2012 - Thanks to Logan Dodds for pointing out a typo on 66.

August 2012 - Thanks to Morten Frederiksen from DenMark for pointing out typo on 115 and offering his opinion on a Shanghai finish using 18's for 108.

August 2012 - changed options for 108, 104, 68

September 2012 - Thanks to Reese Williams from Boston, MA for making me think about 90. Originally I had DB-D20 but after some discussion, it's clear that T20-D15 is the way to go since if you hit a S20 another crack at T20 will leave you with either D5 or DB. If you're not under pressure to finish, just take the T18-D18 route.

May 2013 - Morten Frederiken from Denmark found another type on 118. Thanks!

May 2013 - And just when you think you have it all figured out, Jeff Richardson from Georgetown, Ontario pointed out that on 54 with 2 darts, S18-D18 offers a safety with S4.

May 2013 - Jeff also pointed out that on 63 with 3 darts, T9 leaves 36 and S9 leaves 54 with 2 darts in hand.

May 2013 - Jeff Richardson also does something a little different on 68 with 2 darts. Most people shoot for T18 since S18 leaves a bull safety. Some people just shoot for the fat 18 to better their chances for a shot at DB. Jeff shoots for the bottom of D18 since D18 leaves 32 and S18 has that bull safety. They all have merits and I like them all.

If you're serious about investing the time to learn this strategy, you WILL create more opportunities to shoot for a double out.

If you're aiming for the T20 and often hitting the 18 or 12, then I'm not sure this strategy will help much. You need to practice more first.

The basis for this strategy is to aim for a number that will give a favorable result if you hit it and at the same time will leave you in a good situation if you happen to stray a little from your target. This strategy can help compensate for a lesser skill level and is critical for competing at higher levels where your opponent isn't likely to miss the D20 finish with 3 darts in their hand. You need every opportunity the board can give you. Quite often players put themselves into a situation where if they miss the triple, they won't have a shot at a double finish. The best they can hope for is a chance to fix it up for their next turn and that's IF there is a next turn.

Let's start with some ground rules:

All Doubles and Triples are exactly the same size. The fact that players have "favorites" is a mind game that is based on their confidence to hit it. Practice will increase your confidence in hitting them all.

Leaving an even number for your next turn is not always an advantage (unless you're at 40 or less). Some numbers have advantages that are based on neighbouring numbers and possible combinations. It often has little to do with whether the number is odd or even. For example, I'd rather be at 107 than 106.

The bullseye is actually a fairly large area of the board and is much larger than the triple space

It's necessary to learn the finishes starting with the lower numbers

The main difference between a "bad" double and a "good" double is that if you hit a single, a "good" double will still leave you on an even number.

When you have one dart in your hand, there is no such thing as a "bad" double. Any double is better than not having one at all.

The fact that D16 breaks down evenly 5 times is no real advantage when you're down to your last 3 darts (D16-D8-D4-D2-D1)

D20 and D12 are just as good as D16 when you're on your last 3 darts:

D20 breaks down evenly 3 times (D20-D10-D5)

D12 breaks down evenly 3 times (D12-D6-D3)

Using your first dart to leave D18, D14 or D10 is perfectly acceptable when you're on your last turn:

D18 breaks down evenly 2 times (D18-D9)

D14 breaks down evenly 2 times (D14-D7)

D10 breaks down evenly 2 times (D10-D5)

To understand the philosophy behind the following strategy, it's important to realize what your personal odds are in favor of hitting the triple that you so desperately need in order to leave yourself a double out. If you hit a Triple every time you shoot for it, you should probably stop reading this and get yourself on a plane headed to England.

For the rest of us, let's assume that T20 is the number that you typically aim at for the majority of the game. If you're hitting a T20 at least once every turn, then you're a pretty good player. Even so, your chance of hitting that triple is only 1-in-3 or 33%. Consider the darter that's hitting the T20 once every 2 turns (16%) or every 3 turns (11%) or...etc.

Now consider where that dart ends up if not in the T20 that you were aiming at. Most likely it ends up in the S20 although it often strays to the S5 or S1. Landing in the T5 or T1 is the next most likely scenario, depending on your skill level.

Are you willing to risk giving up ANY chance at a double if you miss the triple?

A good example is that your opponent is on a double and you have 64 points with 2 darts in hand. If you shoot for the T16 and only hit S16 you will be left with 48 and 1 dart. All you can do is lower your score and wish for another turn. The strategic alternative is to shoot for the T14. If you hit the triple then you're left with D11. If you hit S14 then you're left with DB. Agreed, these aren't the most desirable doubles but at least you've increased your chances for getting a shot at one. Using this strategy is like having a backup parachute; it's really nice to have it if you need it.

Consider finishing 80. T16-D16 is popular but if you hit a single you're left with 64. T20-D10 is the better way to go. If you hit a single 20 you're left with 60.

Which would you rather be shooting for with only 2 darts in your hand?

Another great example is 101 with 3 darts in hand. A lot of people will go for T17 to leave 50 which is still a 2 dart finish (unless you're feeling especially cocky like Daryl Viscount on my Monday night team). T17-DB is the 2 dart solution for 101. With 3 darts, you should never do this because if you hit a single 2, you're left with 99 and no way to finish. The safer alternative is to go for T20. The only number that will prevent you from a second chance is the D1. Watch for this one on your typical out charts. It's mathematically correct but strategically inferior.

Don't forget about your personal odds of hitting a triple. Remember that the odds are against you (we won't even mention the additional game winning pressure of hitting a particular triple!) .

The bottom line is that you will get more shots at doubling out and earn the respect of better players by knowing what to shoot for. Even if you don't hit it every time, the fact that you're using every ounce of opportunity in your favour shows that you shouldn't be taken for granted.

It's important to note that the numbers around the board alternate from odd to even except for the highlighted areas. If you need to hit an odd number the best place to aim for is the purple area at the bottom. If you need to hit an even number the best place is one of the yellow regions.

Out Charts (for the average darter...)

2-32: This is the best place to be. 2 D1 3 S1-D1 This one intimidates a lot of people which is a good reason to practice it 4 D2 5 S1-D2 6 D3 Hitting a S3 leaves S1-D1. If you're feeling comfortable in your lead you might consider S2-D2 7 S3-D2 8 D4 9 S1-D4 10 D5 11 S3-D4 12 D6 13 S11-D1 Safety Hitting a S8 still leaves you with a 2 dart finish. Avoid S5-D4 - hitting a S12 or S20 will bust 14 D7 If you're willing to waste a dart, shooting the 6/10 will leave either a D4 or D2 15 S13-D1 Safety Hitting a S4 or S6 still leaves you with a 2 dart finish. Avoid S7-D4 - hitting a S16 or S19 will bust. Option #2 You could also shoot for S11-D2 16 D8 17 S13-D2 Safety Hitting a S4 or S6 still leaves you with a 2 dart finish. Avoid S1-D8 - hitting a S20 or S18 will bust 18 D9 If you're willing to waste a dart, shooting the 6/10 will leave either a D6 or D4 19 S11-D4 Safety Hitting a S8 or S14 won't bust. Option #2 - S3-D8 - Hitting a S17 or T3 still leaves a double out but hitting a S19 will bust 20 D10 21 S17-D2 Safety Hitting a S3 still leaves a double out. Option #2 S19-D1. Hitting a S7 or S3 still leaves a double out 22 D11 23 S19-D2 Safety Hitting a S7 or S3 still leaves a good double out. 24 D12 25 S17-D4 Safety Hitting a S3 still leaves a double out 26 D13 if you're willing to waste a dart, shooting the 6/10 will leave either a D10 or D8 27 S19-D4 Safety Hitting a S7 or S3 still leaves a good double out 28 D14 29 S17-D6 Safety Hitting a S3 still leaves a double out 30 D15 if you're willing to waste a dart, shooting the 6/10 will leave either a D12 or D10 31 S7-D12 Safety Hitting a S19 still leaves a good double out 32 D16

33-60: This is a good place to be. You only need 2 darts to finish and you don't need a triple or DB. If your opponent is also on a double or if you only have 2 darts in your hand, you should consider the 2 dart safety shots Option1 2 Dart Safety Comments 33 S1-D16 S17-D8 Safety S3 or T3 will leave a one-dart finish. Beware - D17 or T17 will bust 34 D17 35 S3-D16 or S19-D8 Split Decision - Shoot the wire between 3 & 19 which will leave a D16 or D8. Beware D19 or T19 will bust 36 D18 37 S5-D16 S17-D10 Safety S3 or T3 will leave a one-dart finish. Beware T17 will bust 38 D19 If you're willing to waste a dart, another option is S6-D16 or S10-D14 - shoot the wire between 6 & 10 39 S7-D16 7/19 split Safety With only two darts, shoot the wire between 7 & 19 40 D20 41 S9-D16 S17-D12 Safety S3 or T3 will leave a one-dart finish 42 S10-D16 6/10 split Safety Shoot for S10 closest to S6. You'll end up with 36 or 32 43 S11-D16 S3-D20 Safety S17 or S19 leaves a one-dart finish 44 S12-D16 8/16 or 18/4 split Safety S8, T8 , S16 or S18, T4, S4 leaves a one-dart finish 45 S13-D16 7/19 split Safety All triples around 13 are safe. 7 or 19 will guarantee a double out 46 S14-D16 6/10 split Safety S6 or S10 leaves a one-dart finish 47 S15-D16 7/19 split Safety S7, T7 or S19 will leave a one-dart finish. Beware T19 will bust 48 S16-D16 8 / 16 split Safety S8, D8, T8, S16, D16 will all leave a one-dart finish. Beware T16 will bust 49 S9-D20 Avoid S17-D16. Hiting the S3 or S2 will not leave a one-dart finish and T17 will bust 50 T10-D10 Safety S10, D10, T10, T6, D6 all leave a one-dart finish. S15 leaves 35 and that’s easy to fix with 2 darts. DB only with 1 dart left 51 S11-D20 Avoid S19-D16. T19 will Bust 52 S12-D20 T16-D2 Avoid S20-D16. T20 will Bust. T12 is okay too since it will leave D8. Safety S16, D16, T8, D8 all leave a one-dart finish 53 S13-D20 S17-D18 Safety With 2 darts, S3 or T17 will leave a one-dart finish 54 S14-D20 S18-T18 Avoid S18-D18 with 3 darts. T18 will bust. With 2 darts, T18 is good since S4 leaves a safety on the bull. 55 S15-D20 56 S16-D20 T8 / T16 split Safety All combinations of 8 or 16 on your first dart leave something good! 57 S17-D20 Avoid S19-D19. T19 will bust. Try SB-D16 if you’re well ahead and feeling full of Bull 58 S18-D20 59 S19-D20 60 S20-D20 Beware of the dreaded T20!

61-70: Learn this range!! With 3 darts, you can still finish without hitting a triple. Pay close attention when you only have 2 darts in your hand since you should ALWAYS shoot for the triple that will leave 50 if you only hit a single . Don't put all of your eggs in the triple basket. Instead, leave yourself a "backup parachute" shot at the Double Bull with your last dart. 3 Darts 2 Darts Comments 61 SB-D18 T11-D14 Safety If you miss the Bull, any number will get you under 60 62 T10-D16 T12-D13 63 T9-D18 T13-D12 Safety S9 leaves a 2 dart 54 finish and a safety on S4. The 2 dart option is okay with 3 darts as well. I know some people that shoot bull first to get 2 darts at D19 64 T16-D8 T14-D11 Any 8 / 16 combination is great 65 SB-D20 T15-D10 If you miss the SB, hopefully you'll hit a S5 or greater. If not, then use the 2 dart safety from this chart. 66 T10-D18 T16-D9 S10 leaves 56. I love 56 since S16, D16, T16, D8, T8 all leave a finish. Only S8 will stop you. 67 T9-D20 T17-D8 Safety S9, S12, S14 will all get you below 60. Avoid T17 with 3 darts since S2 or S3 will force you into a triple or Bull 68 T16-D10 T18-D7 Safety S8 leaves 60 which leaves a Single-Double finish. No Bull! S20 is popular but S5 or S1 leaves a much harder finish.D18 with 2 darts leaves 32...hmmm 69 T11-D18 T19-D6 Avoid! Safeties are scarce here. 70 T10-D20 T20-D5 Another option is T18-D8

71-80: You're now into the tough finishes. If you find yourself here with only 2 darts, you MUST hit a triple to finish . If you're in this situation AND your opponent is also on a finish, it makes sense to go for an "unconventional" triple in order to leave 60 or less with your last 2 darts. If you hit the intended triple it may leave you a "bad" double but a bad double is better than no double at all. 3 Darts 2 Darts Comments 71 T13-D16 T19-D7 2 dart Safety T7 will leave DB 72 T16-D12 S16 leaves 56! I love 56 since S16, D16, T16, D18, T8 all leave a finish. Only S8 will stop you. 73 T19-D8 74 T14-D16 T16-D13 2 dart Safety T8 will leave DB 75 T17-D12 SB-DB 76 T16-D14 T20-D8 T20-D8 is popular with 3 darts but S1 or S5 will force you into a triple to finish. Safety S8 or S7 will get you below 70 77 T19-D10 78 T14-D18 T18-D12 is popular but T14 is safer since hitting the S11 or S9 will leave an easier 2 dart finish than S1 or S4 79 T19-D11 T13-D20 T13-D20 is popular with 3 darts but S13 leaves 66 which is much tougher than 60 with 2 darts 80 T20-D10 T16-D16 T16 with 3 darts. Hitting S16 leaves 64 and forces you to hit a triple or DB to finish.

81-95: Now you're into the finishes that require at least a Triple or a Bull. For most of these, it makes sense to go for SB on the first dart. It might seem strange but it means not having to hit a triple. If you only have 2 darts, you MUST hit a triple to finish so don't worry about the bull. 3 Darts 2 Darts Comments 81 SB-56 T19-D12 SB leaves 56 which is easier with 2 darts than 62 82 DB-32 T14-D20 SB leaves 57 which is easier with 2 darts than 68. If you hit the DB, then it's a bonus 83 SB-58 T17-D16 SB leaves 58 which is easier with 2 darts than 66 84 SB-59 T20-D12 SB leaves 59 which is easier with 2 darts than 64 85 SB-60 T15-D20 SB leaves 60 which is easier with 2 darts than 70 86 T18-D16 SB leaves 61. S18 leaves 68. Equally difficult with 2 darts 87 T17-D18 SB leaves 62. S17 leaves 70. Equally difficult with 2 darts 88 T20-D14 SB leaves 63. S20 leaves 68. Equally difficult with 2 darts 89 T19-D16 SB leaves 64. S19 leaves 70. Equally difficult with 2 darts 90 T20-D15 T18-D18 The 18's are popular but S18 leaves 72 which forces a triple on the next dart. If you hit S20, then another crack at the T20 will leave you with D5 or DB. 91 SB-66 T17-D20 S17 leaves 74 and forces a triple on the next dart 92 SB-67 T20-D16 S20 leaves 72 and forces a triple on the next dart (although T20-D16 is sooooo tempting and worth it if you're hitting T20 consistently) 93 SB-68 T19-D18 S19 leaves 74 and forces a triple on the next dart 94 SB-69 T18-D20 S18 leaves 76 and forces a triple on the next dart 95 SB-70 T19-D19 S19 leaves 76 and forces a triple on the next dart

96-110: This range is the highest of the possible 2 dart finishes. What makes this range very interesting is that half of them cannot be finished with 2 darts. Welcome to the minefield! With 3 darts in your hand, pay attention to the numbers on either side of your target. If you stray and hit the number next door, will you still have a chance at a 2 dart finish, or will you guarantee your opponent another turn? 101 is a great example. T17 is popular as the first of 3 darts since it leaves 50. If you hit S2, that leaves 99 and your opponent is guaranteed another turn. 3 Darts 2 Darts Comments 96 T20-D18 same 97 T19-D20 same 98 T20-D19 same 99 T19-42 Impossible 6/10 safety on second dart. Refer to the finish for 42. 100 T20-40 same Beware Hitting S1 on the first of 3 darts is very bad. You can't finish 99 with 2 darts. 101 T20-41 T17-DB Beware Never go for T17 with 3 darts since S2 will leave 99. Safety T19 is another option since any version of 7 or 3 leaves a 2 dart finish. 102 T20-42 Impossible Safety S1 or S5 leaves a 2 dart finish. Beware T1 will leave 99. 103 T19-46 Impossible Safety Any version of 7 or 3 leaves a 2 dart finish. 104 T16-56 T18-DB Safety S8 and S7 leaves a 2 dart finish that doesn't require a Bull. Whether you hit S16 or T16, you just stay on the 16's. 18 is not a good choice with 3 darts in hand since S1 will stop you in your tracks. T19 is sandwiched between 2 very safe numbers. Any version of 7 or 3 leaves a 2 dart finish but this will require a Bull finish. 105 T20-45 Impossible Safety S1and S5 leaves a 2 dart finish. Beware T1 will stop you. 106 T20-46 Impossible Safety S5 and T5 leaves a 2 dart finish. 107 T19-50 T19-DB Safety Any version of 7 or 3 leaves a 2 dart finish. 108 T16-60 Impossible Safety of S8 or S7 to leave a 2 dart finish. Another good option is T18-S18-D18 with safeties of hitting a S1 or S4 on your first dart. S8 is the best miss since it leaves 100. 109 T20-49 Impossible Safety S5 leaves a 2 dart finish 110 T19-53 T20-DB Debatable. With 3 darts, S5 or S1 will stop you. T19 only has S7 as a danger. It's a matter of 50 or 53 with the last 2 darts

111-119: From here on, you'll need all three darts to finish. You'll need to know the danger spots from the previous range in order to avoid them. 3 Darts Option 2 Comments 111 T19-54 Safety S7 or T7 leaves a 2 dart finish 112 T20-52 Avoid T5 and D1 are the only safeties on this number. Try not to leave yourself here. 113 T19-56 Safety S3 or T3 leaves a 2 dart finish 114 T19-57 T18-60 Safety S7 or T7 leaves a 2 dart finish. Safety S4 leaves a 2 dart finish (T4 doesn't) 115 T20-55 Safety S5 or T5 leaves a 2 dart finish 116 T19-S19-40 Safety T7 or T3 leaves a 2 dart finish. The T19 can happen on the first or second dart. 117 T19-60 Safety S7 leaves a 2 dart finish 118 T20-58 Avoid T18 leaves 64 which forces a triple or DB to finish. 58 is much easier with 2 darts. 119 T19-62 Safety T3 leaves a 2 dart finish. Avoid S20 leaves 99!

120-130: This range is very interesting. It's very similar to the 60's. You must always shoot for the triple that will leave you a 2 dart finish if you only hit a single. You have to know the 100-110 range. If you do hit the triple, you're left with a 2 dart 60-something finish. (Learn those ones first!) 128 & 129 should be avoided if possible. If you follow the above rule and only hit a single you'll be forced to hit a triple on your second dart. Remember that with 2 darts, if you're above 70 then you MUST hit a triple to finish. Being above 70 means that you lose the "hail mary" throw at the DB. Option 1 Options 2 Comments 120 T20-60 Safety S20 leaves a 2 dart finish 121 T20-61 SB-96 / T17-70 Safety All 3 options leaves a 2 dart finish 122 T18-68 Safety S18 leaves a 2 dart finish 123 T19-66 Safety S19 leaves a 2 dart finish 124 T20-64 Safety S20 leaves a 2 dart finish 125 SB-100 T18-71 Safety S18 or SB leaves a 2 dart finish. Taking the T18 option forces you to hit 2 triples to finish this number. 126 T19-69 Safety S19 leaves a 2 dart finish 127 T20-67 Safety S20 leaves a 2 dart finish 128 T18-74 Safety S18 leaves a 2 dart finish. 129 T19-72 SB-104 Safety S19 or SB leaves a 2 dart finish. 130 T20-70 Safety S20 leaves a 2 dart finish

131-140: This range is the first that requires you to hit 2 triples in order to finish. You have to know your 2 dart 70-something finishes. The exception to the 2 triples rule is 132 and 135 where you can start with a SB. Option 1 Option 2 Comments 131 T19-74 Safety T7 leaves a 2 dart out 132 DB-82 T20-72 Safety SB leaves an easier 2 dart finish than S20 133 T20-73 134 T20-74 135 DB-85 T20-75 Safety SB leaves a 2 dart finish. S20 doesn't. 136 T20-76 137 T20-77 138 T20-78 T19-T19-D12 Both good choices 139 T20-79 T19-82 140 T20-80

141-158: These are tough and don't have safety nets. The good news is that they're simpler since you must hit 2 specific triples to finish them. You have to know your 2 dart 80-90's finishes. There isn't much point worrying about whether the number is odd or even. Most likely there's going to be a T19 or T20 involved so just throw your first dart at the triple you're most comfortable with. If you get the triple, then you can evaluate where to go next. If you hit a single you can't finish it anyhow so keep pounding your favorite triple. Eventually, you'll see how to get t o a preferred finish for your next turn. It's important that you know the lower finishes before you have to worry about this aspect of the game. For simplicity, you can start with T20 on all of these if you prefer. Option 1 Option 2 Comments 141 T20-81 T19-84 142 T20-82 T19-T19-D14 143 T20-83 T19-86 144 T20-84 T19-87 145 T20-85 T19-88 146 T20-86 T19-T19-D16 147 T20-87 T19-90 148 T20-88 T19-91 149 T20-89 T19-92 150 T20-90 T19-T19-D18 151 T20-91 T19-94 152 T20-92 T19-T19-D19 If you love 19's 153 T20-93 T19-96 154 T20-94 T19-97 155 T20-95 T19-98 156 T20-96 Avoid T19 will leave 99 and can't be finished with 2 darts 157 T20-97 T19-100 158 T20-98 Avoid T19 will leave 101 which means that this finish would be T19-T17-DB.