Unfortunately, in games of 301 and 501, our brains are forced to do something they didn't expect : math. Between turns, it's always important to make sure you know what you have left to shoot, and what to do with the first dart. Regardless of skill level, you should always keep think positive, and expect to have a realistic shot at taking out the amount remaining. When at 170 or less, there are only a few scores remaining that can't be taken out with three darts : 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162 and 159. If able to avoid these, then if nothing else, keep an out chart handy. They often can be purchased (or acquired for free) in little wallet sized cards. It's easy enough to quickly consult such a miniature chart and see how to start the shot sequence. With high outs, of course, most turns will have to start with hitting a triple 20 or triple 19, but if you nail one, then as they say, the shot is "on"! From there, it's just a question of knowing what to do with 110 or less with whatever number of remaining darts available. Beware, the math might get a little sticky from here.

Playing Safe : (Math Talk!)

With some shots, you have to prepare for possibly, just possibly, missing the desired number altogether. Three dart out shots with 101 and 104 are the big mistakes people make, especially if they hit a wrong neighboring number. With three darts left on 104, it's safer to go at triple 19 - throw at the triple 18, miss left and you have 103 left, which is not a 2 dart out. When people throw at triple 18 for 104, a miss very far to the left can leave 99 if hitting a single 5 - no 2 dart out from there. While it's a fractional chance of hitting that fat 5, it's still very possible, especially with right handed throwers.

With 101 left, when people throw at triple 17, it leaves 50 if a triple 17 is hit, but if the dart strays and hits a single 2, that leaves 99 - not an out for two darts. By throwing at, say, the triple 20, a miss on either side leaves either 96 or 100, both two dart outs with a triple 20, a target at which you already likely would have aimed.

With 105 left, same drill - shoot at the triple 20, and the worst you can do is accidentally miss into a triple 1; otherwise, all other numbers in that pie area are safe for leaving a solid two dart out.

Know The Sub 100 Game

Never forget that when at 100 or less, the only shot you can't take out with two darts is 99. When holding three darts, if you can hit that first dart and leave anything other than 99, you can gradually learn the best two-dart combination for your style of game that will give you the best chance for taking out the remaining score. Knowing, and eventually memorizing, what to do with two darts and less than 100 is a critical way to keep up your shot rhythm at the line, and avoids interruptions to your stride by stopping to figure out what the next dart should be. Except for the dreaded situation of having 99 left, any number below 100 can be taken out with some type of triple and a requisite double to finish things off.

Start to recognize which triple might lead to your favorite double. With 86 remaining, for example, most will seek the "traditional" shot sequence of triple 18, double 16. Others, however, will opt for the tried-and-true triple 20 to leave double 13, because they'd been shooting at the triple 20 the entire match. Logical arguments for both approaches, and that brings up an important point. If you've been hitting triple 20s rather reliably before, why stop? One doesn't have to always attempt to leave a "proper" double (like 32, 16, or 8) by attempting to hit triples that they hadn't targeted during the match thus far. If you're hitting triple 20s, and a triple 20 happens to leave you any type of even numbered out (be it perhaps an unconventional one), go for it - that's called "playing the percentages". Many players, with 88 left, will insist upon throwing at triple 16 with two darts in their hands, because a triple would leave the clean and pretty 40 for the "double tops" shot.

But, in reality, how many times during the match, might they have shot at the triple 16? It likely will have been the first attempt at such a target, and the odds of hitting it would be far less than shooting at triple 20. Sure, the triple 20 might leave 28, but it's still a nice double. In close matches, in which the opponent might be poised to win it in the next turn, a player must think of the best way to leave any double at all, not just the favorite one.

A few of my past partners and teammates have advocated throwing at the bull for various two and three dart outs. I've heard arguments for throwing at the bullseye with anything remaining in the 90s, and that's definitely feasible (be quiet, Ian). But, not everybody hits bullseyes reliably in an '01 match either. Yes, it's a natural throw, and with many players, the bullseye is the most natural target, but misses can also be more costly than going for traditional numbers. Some insist upon throwing at bullseye with 135 or 125 left. Yes, even a single bull leaves a nice clean number, but a triple 19 might accomplish the same. It's all about how confident you might be on a given target, and what might be involved with missing it. Trust me, I've seen plenty of occasions in which the opponent took out 125 with bull, double bull, double bull. Depends on the prowess.

Nobody needs to burden their minds with math on a normally mindless, enjoyable night out. That said, it shouldn't have to necessarily be a battle of math and out chart consultation vs. fun and relaxation. Once a lot of the logical shot combinations are buried into the ol' skull, a lot of the above will be second nature, and your tattered brain will be back to not thinking in no time!

As always, shoot well and I'll see you at the line.