A Different Approach to Electronic Outs

Once you've got the mechanics of throwing plastic tip, the key to winning more of the '01 games is to learn the outshots. This is the most difficult and most frustrating part of the game for many players, but also one of the most important aspects of winning the '01 games. If you're a beginner or intermediate electronic player, or simply a competitive darter, you have got to take the time to learn the outs for '01.

The '01 games are a race between you and your opponent to be the first darter to get the score down to zero to end the game. Most electronic '01 games are single-out, however, with the single-out games you may hit a single, double or a triple to end the game as long as you hit the number needed to bring your score to zero.

Chicago darter Chuck Downer shared his take on the electronic outshot strategies for this article. With over 15 years of playing experience and a reputation as one of Chicago's best darters, Downer possesses a wealth of outshot information and knows that this is one of the most important aspects of consistently winning the '01 games.

Here are Downer's thoughts on the individual numbers to take out. Take care to notice that Downer doesn't always go straight for the bullseyes for the largest number of points, but rather takes advantage of most of the numbers on the board. Downer goes for an outshot that includes taking advantage of the triples and doubles, as well as hitting that single number to leave a bullseye shot for last. With this strategy, you lesson your chances at busting, which only increases your chance at game shot. Downer also goes for the 2-dart outs whenever possible, leaving him a third dart only if needed. Obviously it's best to take the game out with as few darts as possible and walk away with that win!

180 - Go for 3 triple-20s. If you never shoot for them, you'll never hit them. Once you've hit it, you'll have more confidence the next time.

170 - Triple-20, triple-20 and bullseye. Again, if you never shoot for this you'll never hit it.

150 - Hat trick (3 bullseyes) wins the game.

120 - Bullseye, single-20 and bullseye. If you hit the bullseye and then the triple-20 (60 points) this leaves single-10 left.

119 - Bullseye, single-19 and bullseye. If you hit the triple-19 (57 points) on the second dart for a total of 107 points, this leaves single-12 left.

118 - Bullseye first which leaves 68 points left. Hit a single 18 and then another bullseye for game shot. With 68 left, if you hit the triple-18 (54 points) you've got to hit a single-14 for game shot.

117 through 112 - Same thing... Hit the bullseye first, the single number needed and then the bullseye for game shot.

111 - Bullseye first for 50 points. This leaves 61 for a single-11 shot and another bullseye for game shot. If you're not comfortable with having to hit the single-11, then aim for 19s or 17s. Hitting a single-19 leaves you 92 (then bullseye and triple-14 for the 92 out). Hitting a triple-19 (57 points) leaves you 54, which is triple-18.

110 - Bullseye and the triple-20.

104 through 109 - Bullseye first, single or triple number next and bullseye for game shot.

103 - Look at the big picture and aim for the 19-3-17s. Triple-19 (57 points) leaves you with 46 (hit the 6/10 wire next and double for game shot). OR... Triple-17 leaves you with 52 (single-2, bullseye).

102 - Triple-14 (42 points) and triple-20 (60 points). Hitting the single-14 leaves you 88, which is bullseye and double-19 (38 points).

101 - Triple-17 first, then the bullseye.

100 - 2 bullseyes.

99 - Triple-20 (60 points) and triple-13 (39 points). If you hit the single-20, this leaves 79, which is triple-19 (57 points) and double-11 (22 points).

98 - Bullseye and triple-16 (48 points).

97 - Triple-19 and bullseye. If you hit the single-19, this leaves 78 so go for the bullseye and the double-14.

96 - Triple-18 (54 points) leaves triple-14 (42 points).

95 - Bullseye, triple-15 (45 points).

94 - Triple-18 (54 points) and double-20 (40 points). If you hit the single-18, this leaves you 76 to do. Stay on track with the 20s for your next shot and go for the triple-20 (60 points) to leave 16.

93 - Stay in the comfort area of the 7/19/3/17, because hitting even a single of any of these numbers still gives you a 2 dart out. If you hit the triple-19 (57 points), you've got 36 points left (double-19 or two big fat 18s).

92 - Your best shot is triple-20 (60 points) and the double-16 (32 points). This combination, again, decreases your odds at busting.

91 - Triple-17 (51 points) and double-20 (40 points). Hitting the single-17 leaves 74, which is bullseye and double-12 (24 points).

90 - Single-20, bullseye and another single-20. If you hit the triple-20 with the first dart this leaves you 30 left.

89 - Triple-19, double-16. If you hit the single-19, this leaves 70 which is single-20 and then the bullseye (by going for the single-20 on the second dart, if you hit the triple-20 you will not bust and will have 10 left... either way you've still got a better percentage of taking out this way because if you go straight for the bullseye on the second dart and miss, you may not have an out with your last dart).

88 - Aim for the triples first. Triple-16 (48 points) and double-20 (40 points). Another option is triple-20 (60 points) leaves 28 (double-14). Single-20 leaves 68 (single-18 and bullseye).

87 - Triple-19 (57 points) to leave 30 (triple-10). If you hit the single-19, this leaves you 68 (18 and bullseye).

86 - Bullseye and double-18 (36 points).

85 - Triple-15 (45 points) and double-20 (40 points) or triple-17 (51 points) and double-17 (34 points).

84 - Bullseye first then go for the double-17 (34 points).

83 - Triple-17 (51 points) and double-16 (32 points). If you hit the single-17, you've got 66 points left (single-16 and bullseye).

82 - Bullseye first to leave 32 points (double-16).

81 - Triple-17 (51 points) and triple-10 (30 points).

80 - Triple-20 then a single-20, just don't hit the 5 or the 1. (The triple-20 option for 80 is Downer's favorite.)

79 - Triple-19 (57 points) and double-11 (22 points).

78 - Triple-18 (54 points) and double-12 (24 points). If you hit the single-18, you've got 60 left so shoot for the triple-20.

77 - Triple-19 (57 points) leaves single-20 (do NOT bust). Triple-20 (60 points) would leave you with a single-17.

76 - Triple-20 (60 points) leaves 16. Hitting the single-20 leaves you with 56.

75 - Don't go for the bullseye first because hitting this will leave you with 25 points left which requires 2 darts to take this number out and increases your chances at busting. Single-15 and triple-20 (60 points) wins the game.

74 - Triple-18 (54 points) and single-20 (again, do NOT bust).

73 - Aim for the bottom of the board, i.e. 7/19/3/17 area and take it from there. Triple-19 (57 points) leaves 16.

72 - Triple-20 (60 points) and single-12.

71 - Triple-17 (51 points) leaves 20 to do. If you hit the single-3, this leaves 68 (single-18 and double-bullseye for game shot).

70 - Bullseye, single-20 OR triple-20 (60 points) and 10. By going for the triple-20 option first, even if you hit one of the neighbors (a 5 or a 1), you still have a 2-dart out.

69 - Single-19 then the bullseye. If you hit the triple-19 (57 points), you've got 12 left.

68 - Single-18, bullseye. If you hit the triple-18 (54 points) you've got 14 left.

67 - Triple-17 (51 points) and single-16 OR bullseye and single-17.

66 - Triple-16 first (48 points) and single-18. Hitting a single-16 leaves bullseye for game shot. If you aim for the triple-16 and hit the triple-8 instead (24 points), this leaves you 42 to do which is triple-14.

65 - Single-15, bullseye.

64 - Bullseye, single-14 OR triple-14 (42 points) to leave 22 (double-11). The beauty of the triple-14 option is that the 11s are in the same area of the board.

63 - Single-13, bullseye.

62 - Triple-10 (30 points) and double-16 (32 points). Hitting the triple-6 (18 points) leaves 44... go right back at the 6/10 wire to leave yourself a one dart out.

61 - Triple-19 (57 points) leaves 4. Hitting the single-19 leaves you 42 (triple-14).

60 - Aim for the triple-20, do NOT go for the bullseye first. If you go for the bullseye, you still need another dart for game shot. And if you miss the bullseye, you may have an odd combination to take out.

59 - Single-9, bullseye.

58 - Single-8, bullseye. Hitting the triple-8 (24 points) leaves you 34 (double-17).

57 - One dart out - triple-19.

56 - Shoot at the 16s... Single-16 leaves 40 (double-20). Triple-16 (48 points) leaves 8 left, which is right next to the 16s.

55 - Single-15, double-20 (40 points).

54 - One dart out - triple-18.

53 - Aim for the bottom of the board. Single-3, bullseye. Hitting a single-19 leaves 34 (double-17). Hitting a single-17 leaves 36 (double-18 or two fat single-18s).

52 - Single-2 and bullseye OR bullseye first to leave single-2. Don't bust.

51 - One dart out - triple-17.

50 - One dart out - bullseye.

49 - Single-17, double-16 (32 points).

48 - One dart out - triple-16.

47 - Single-15, double-16 (32 points).

46 - Aim for the 6/10 wire. Hitting the single-6 leaves you with 40 (double-20). Hitting the 10 leaves you with 36 (double-18).

45 - One dart out - triple-15.

44 - Aim for the 6/10 wire and take care not to bust. Hitting a single 6 leaves 38 (double-19) or hitting a single-10 leaves 34 (double-17).

43 - Single-3, double-20.

42 - One dart out - triple-14.

41 - Not a great out... Single-17 leaves 24 (double-12).

40 - Double-20.

39 - Triple-13.

38 - Double-19.

37 - Single-17 to leave 20.

36 - Double-18.

35 - Single-19 leaves 16 (hit the single16 or the double-8).

34 - Double-17.

33 - Triple-11.

32 - Double-16.

31 - Single-19, single-12.

30 - Triple-10 or double-15.

29 - Single-19 leaves 10 to do. If you aim for the 10 and hit the 6, you've still got an out with 4 left.

28 - Double-14.

27 - Triple-9.

26 - Double-13.

25 - Single-17, single-8 OR single-17, double-4.

24 - Double-12.

23 - Single-3, double-10. As long as you don't hit a triple, you're safe at the bottom of the board by hitting a single 7/19/3/17 which still leaves you an out.

22 - Double-11.

21 - Triple-7 or single the bottom 7/19/3/17 wire to leave a one dart, single-number out.

20 - Big fat single-20 or double-10.

Downer's last words of wisdom... "Practice, practice and practice some more. Use the '301 out-charts to concentrate on fine-tuning your outs and double-out when you're able to. Only aim for a number when the triple won't bust you. Use these outshot strategies above, use the whole board (singles, doubles AND triples) and the part of the board that gives you the best percentage at winning the game. Always challenge yourself to go for the larger outshots, practice these outs and put those personal challenges in front of you. You've got to practice putting those personal challenges in front of you otherwise you don't have anything to draw upon. When you do hit that out to win the game, you will only gain more confidence. It's you and the board, every single time." Also, practice hitting the bit fat single number so you're prepared and confident if you have to "fix" a number to go out.

In conclusion: The smart darter knows their outs, know what they're going to shoot for when they step up to the line, and they know what to shoot for with that second or third dart when they miss their targeted number and still have a shot at taking the game out. Here are some tips and tricks to learning your outs:

Watch other darters who have some experience and concentrate on what they're shooting for when they're down to an out.
Play competitively in leagues, blind draws and tournaments where you will meet, shoot with and shoot against other high-caliber darters who know their outs. Most darters are glad to help others to learn the outshots, just take care not to interrupt another darter while playing or preparing for a match. Instead, introduce yourself, compliment the darter and ask if the darter would be interested in chatting after the draw or tournament to help you with your outs.
Bring an out-chart (or this article) with you when you're out playing and use this. Refer to an out-chart while watching teammates or playing your own game. Don't forget to practice, as well, and refer to the out-chart in this article.
Start thinking out of the box and STOP always throwing at the bullseye for 50 points a dart until you are down to a low number. Use the out-chart and think ahead! While playing electronic darts, the bullseye is one of the largest high-scoring areas on the board. However, In most cases, there are better options that help keep you from busting, give you a 2-dart out, or shots that are a better percentage shot.
Always take the time to know exactly what you plan to shoot when you step up to the line and just as important, know exactly what number you will target next if your first dart doesn't hit the number you were aiming for.
There are no exact right or wrong ways to take a game out, and often times there are many ways to take out a game. The out-charts usually only give you one option but the reality is there are usually several options. Don't rely on an out-chart as the "only" option.
You may develop preferences but remember to keep an open mind and consider other options that might be better choices. Try to aim for numbers that hitting a triple will NOT bust you.
Understand the numbers on the dartboard and take advantage of ALL the numbers including the doubles and the triples. If you've got only one dart in your hand and an even number between 22 and 40, to win the game with that one last dart you have got to hit a double. Also take time to know the total number of points for the triples on the board as well.
Another reason to purposely take advantage of the doubles for the winning outshot is that aiming for the double keeps you farther from the triple of a particular number and decreases your chances of busting.
Buy a small notebook that fits in your dart case and record the outs that you hit, and that your opponents hit. Writing this down will reinforce the numbers in your mind and also give you something to reference when you're not sure what to aim for.
Reread this article and reread it again as you're fine-tuning your outshot strategies. Some darters pick up on the math and the outshots more quickly than others and there is a lot of information here to absorb. Rereading this article over time will help you to remember the numbers and outshot strategies. The second time around some of these outshots might "click" and make more sense as you find yourself in these situations.
Lastly, don't get frustrated. Rome was not built in a day and likewise, outshots are not learned in a day!

Remember, the key to winning the '01 games is not only throwing solid darts but knowing your outs like the back of your hand so there is no hesitation when you step up to the line. As with learning anything that is new to you, this will take time but knowing your outs will make you a more competitive player and you WILL win more games. Til ll next time, shoot well and I'll see you at the line.