Out Chart - New!

For most of the outs from 170 on down, there are many choices. Some are better then others as they are the best percentage outs, they keep you aiming at the same side of the board, or the suggested out is the safest out to keep you from busting or from hitting a next-door number that will not leave you a 2 dart out.

If these out charts seem complicated to you, put them aside and read them on another day (just don't forget to go back to them!). Many times re-reading a dart topic at a later time makes more sense.

Keep in mind that winning darts are comprised of skill, confidence and strategy. Many will debate this but strategy is more then half the game. If you have a firm grasp of the strategy of the game you will win many more matches! The smart '01 player is thinking of their outs around having 230 points left and often times this is soon after getting into a '301 game.

Let's face it...the '01 double-out games are a race down to zero with the winner hitting the out. By knowing the strategy of the outs, you'll know when to aim for 20s and when to aim for 19s (or another number) to leave yourself an out (either a 3 dart out or a 2 dart out). Most darters can hit 20s all day long, but if they keep hitting single 20s until they have 40 left, then they don't understand the strategy of the game.

Another important thing: If you've got an out shot, take it! If you never aim for the 170 out then you'll never hit it. If you have 50 left, and one dart in your hand, then aim for the double-bull. Sooner or later you're going to hit the out you are aiming for and that will give you confidence. And confidence is a huge part of the game.

Next, practice your outs. And practice and practice and practice and practice your outs some more. This will make the difference between losing a match and becoming a more consistent winning darter.

Before getting to the detailed out charts, first memorize the numbers that cannot be taken out. These are: 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162, and 159. If you're sitting on one of these numbers, your goal should be to use 3 darts to leave yourself, or your partner an out for the next turn. Preferably, leave your partner 90 or less so that a triple isn't absolutely needed to take the game out.

A few more tips:

- Your favorite out should be whatever out you are aiming for. Think of each double on the board as just another number and go up to the line and hit it. Often times when playing with a partner, you may be left with a double that's not your preference. Simply take it out rather then complaining that's it's not your preferred out. A good out is any out that you take out and a good darter learns to take out any double on the board.

- For large out numbers requiring a triple, aim for the triple numbers used in cricket (to bring your score down to a double-out) as you probably have more practice hitting these cricket triples (rather then going for a triple-14 or a triple-13). (Tip from Nancy Visocki).

- An out is an out, so go for it. When it comes down to setting up an out for either 40 (double tops) or 32 (double-16) set the out up for 32. This way you have more chances to double-down if you hit the single inside the wire (32, 16, 8, 4, X1) which still leaves you even for your next shot...where as with 40 left you've only got 40, 20 and 10 and if you hit the single 5 while going for the 10 out, you're then left with an odd number. (However, if you've got 40 left, just take out the double-20!)

- Outs 170 through 131 require two triples to take the number out.

- Outs 130 through 91 require you to hit a triple with your first or second dart in order to take the number out.

- If you have one dart left and do not have an out, strive to get to 90 or less points because with 90 or less points left you do not need a triple in order to go out.

- There are a couple of exceptions to the above two rules, but that will be saved for another column (by hitting a single bull for 25, to leave an out).

- 19s rather then 20s? Study the out charts...sometimes a T19 leaves you a decent out and you don't want to always throw at T20s...

- Do you "fix" a number or take it out? I've seen many darters with 6 left aim for the single-2, double-2 (or having 26 left and aiming for the 6/10 wire only to hit a single 13). My preference is to go for the double-3 cause it's just another double on the board and I'm confident that I can hit it. The danger in trying to fix the number is you may bust or end up worse off. It's your decision of course, but my advice is to use all three darts (if you've got 3 to throw) and walk your way into the double.

- While there is only a single way to take out 170, or even 2 (X1), there are many ways to double out on a number. This out chart is not a complete and exhaustive list as there are 1602 ways to take out the number 49. Obviously, I have not listed every possible combination!

- When learning your outs, before you step up to the line, know what you are going to hit if you miss your target and/or hit a single, rather then a triple of a particular number.

- The out chart below is based on the following priorities: (1) a single way to take the number out if there is only one way to take that particular number out, (2) using a cricket triple number or cricket single number (where ever possible) as most darters have played cricket and are much more adept at hitting these numbers and (3) leaving the double of 8, 16, 32 or 40 which still leaves you even if you wire the single of the out and 4) hitting a number that can double-out, or leave your opponent or your next shot as a good shot to take the game out.

- When playing with partners, and both sides are down to a do-able out - aim for your preference to take the game out. Otherwise, discuss the strategy of the outs with your partner so you're both on the same page. You should never approach your parter at the line with instructions to take the game out. Discuss this before either one of you steps up to the line.

- For those of you seasoned steel-tippers, be open to learning new outs and different ways of taking the out for game shot. Don't ever stop learning!

- Keep in mind with 90 left, and your partner is on an out, it is better to hit 2 20s, to leave a DB out rather then risk trying to hit a triple. Go for the sure out, especially if your opponent is sitting on 32! This is a new way of thinking but do you want a sure chance at an out or hope you hit a triple. It is better to shoot for 2 singles to leave an out rather then aim (and miss) a triple which may or may not leave you an out. The name of the game is to get game shot as soon as possible, and before your opponent. A shot at a double-bull for game shot is better then not having a shot at all!

- The beauty of this out chart is there are multiple outs for each number when ever ever appropriate.

- To use this chart be sure to read the notes on the right-hand column of each out.

In order to read this out chart, you must install Adobe Acrobat Reader software on your system. This software is free, only needs to be installed once and is quick and painless to install. Link to Free Installation of Adobe Acrobat Reader Software.

Click here for the detailed 3-dart out chart in PDF format...

My thanks to Ed DeBehnke, Nancy Visocki, KarlHeinz, Ken Berman, and Bruce of Bristol's Dart Page for their assistance and ideas with regards to outs.

As always, good luck and I'll see you at the line.