12/27/01 Double-Ins for the Steel-Tip Beginner

When you're playing '301 steel-tip you are going to have to double-in and double-out in order to win the game. Where does the beginner start? Almost anywhere except double-19s or double-3s. Let me explain.

Though any double counts when you're trying to double-in to a '301 game, some choices are better then others, especially for the beginner. My suggestion for the new '301 player is to aim at either the double-11 or the double-6. Each of these doubles is at the same height as the bullseye. Because you have to diddle to determine who begins the game, it's very easy to move your focus a little to one side of the board or another. Aiming for the double-11 or the double-6 is almost like "diddling" for a double. There's another bonus as well. For the beginner, your darts may be a little high or a little low. If you aim for the double-11 and your dart is high, or low, you can drop in to the double-14 or the double-8. It's the same with the double-6, if your dart is a little high or a little low, you can still drop into the surrounding numbers, the double-13, or the double-10.

Those doubles are the easiest to hit on the board because even if you aren't yet as skillful as you yearn to be, you can still get lucky and drop into another double. Remember, when starting off the steel-tip '301 game, any double counts, whether you intended to hit it or not.

The main reason you don't want to shoot for the bottom of the board, is that (1) if you miss the double, your darts are not able to "accidentally" drop into another number and (2) once you've doubled-in, your next shot will most likely be the triple-20. When doubling-in on the bottom of the board you've then got to shift your focus to the other side of the board and up to the triple-20s. If can be done, of course...It's just much easier to double-in on the 20 and then drop down to the triple-20 for your next shot.

If you've begun a '301 game, and are having problems hitting your double, switch sides. Sometimes a little change of scenery is all you need.

And once you've become comfortable hitting a double to start off '301, you may want to move to another number. Most experienced steel-tip darters double-in with the double-20. Though it's doubtful that your dart will "drop" into another double if you miss the double-20, there is an advantage to shooting for the double-20. Once you do hit the double-20, it is very easy to move your focus downward to the triple-20. No matter whether you're playing '301, '501 or Cricket, the triple-20 is most likely your next target. Rather then moving your focus to another part of the board, it's very easy after hitting the double-20 to drop down a couple inches and aim for the triple-20. The triple-20 is your next obvious shot to bring the score down as it is the highest point target (60 points) on the board that may be hit with one dart.

The '301 darter's worst fear is being "skunked" or not getting in with a double before your opponent wins the game. It happens to almost every darter somewhere along the line. If you're serious about the game of steel-tip darts, you're going to have to learn to like '301 as you will be playing it often. Rather then dreading the game, and dreading the prospect of not getting in before your opponent wins, learn to like the doubles and use this to your advantage. The confident (not arrogant) player is comfortable with any game and begins with visualizing winning the game. It's the same thing with '301. Visualize doubling in right away, and let your opponent feel the stress of not getting in. Good luck, and see you at the line.