What Is a Big Fish in Darts? The 170 Checkout Explained

The Numbers: Exactly What Is a Big Fish?

A big fish is a checkout of exactly 170 points using three darts. Here is the exact combination:

• Dart 1: Treble 20 (60 points)
• Dart 2: Treble 20 (60 points)
• Dart 3: Bullseye / inner bull (50 points)

60 + 60 + 50 = 170. That is the only possible way to reach 170 with three darts while ending on a double. The bullseye counts as a double because the inner bull is double 25, making it a legal finishing dart.

Why is 170 the maximum? To finish a leg of 501, your last dart must hit a double. The highest score from a single dart is treble 20 (60). Two treble 20s give you 120. That leaves 50 remaining. The highest double on the board is the bullseye at 50. So 60 + 60 + 50 = 170 is the mathematical ceiling. A checkout of 171 would require a final dart worth 51, and there is no double that scores 51.

For context, a nine-dart finish (501 in exactly nine darts) requires hitting perfection across two full turns. A big fish is a single-turn achievement. More professional players have thrown nine-dart finishes on television than have hit a big fish on double 1 (the mad house), which shows how difficult the combination is.

Why Is It Called a Big Fish?

The most widely accepted explanation is that "big fish" evolved from "big finish." The two phrases sound similar when spoken quickly, and over time, "big finish" slurred into "big fish." The fishing metaphor fits naturally: commentators talk about "reeling it in" and going "fishing" for the highest checkout on the board.

Wayne Mardle and Rod Studd, both Sky Sports commentators, are credited with popularising the term around 2015-2016. Mardle, known for his colorful language, would say "Here, fishy fishy" when a player stood on 170. The phrase caught on because it is memorable and adds character to the broadcast. Before Mardle and Studd, the term was rarely used. Commentators like Sid Waddell called it the "big finish" or "maximum checkout."

The phrase gained mainstream traction during a famous leg between Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson, where van Gerwen narrowly missed a nine-dart finish and Anderson stepped up to hit a 170 checkout. The replay aired constantly, and Mardle's commentary — including the "fishy fishy" call — became part of darts broadcasting history. Within a few years, the term was standard across all PDC coverage.

Other Fish in the Sea: Baby Fish and Little Fish

The fishing terminology extends beyond 170. A 130 checkout is sometimes called a "baby fish" or "little fish." The combination is treble 20, single 20, bullseye (60 + 20 + 50 = 130). The symmetrical structure mirrors the big fish — two darts at treble 20, one at bullseye — but with one treble landing as a single.

Wayne Mardle also coined "baby fish" during commentary at the 2019-2020 PDC World Championship. The logic is simple: if 170 is the big fish, then 130 is the smaller version — the baby fish. The term has not caught on as widely as big fish, but you will hear it occasionally in PDC coverage.

For completeness, a score of 26 (20, 5, 1) is called "fish and chips" in darts slang. This has nothing to do with the big fish terminology — it comes from Cockney rhyming slang and the traditional price of a bed and breakfast (two and six). But the shared "fish" root can cause confusion for new players.

Famous Big Fish Moments in Darts History

The big fish has produced some of the most dramatic moments in darts history. Here are the most notable:

Ted Hankey, Lakeside 2000

Ted Hankey hit a 170 checkout to win the BDO World Championship in 2000. It remains one of the most iconic finishes in darts history. Hankey threw treble 20, treble 20, bullseye with the match on the line. The moment is still replayed today as one of the greatest walk-off checkouts ever thrown. (Hankey was later convicted of sexual offences, which has overshadowed his legacy, but the checkout itself remains a notable piece of darts history.)

The MVG vs Anderson Leg (2017 Grand Slam)

In a group stage match at the 2017 Grand Slam of Darts, Michael van Gerwen narrowly missed a nine-dart finish, leaving 170. Gary Anderson stepped up and hit the big fish against the throw. The crowd erupted. The leg is famous not just for the checkout but for the commentary: Rod Studd and Wayne Mardle calling the action as Anderson reeled in the fish. This leg is widely credited with cementing "big fish" in the darts lexicon.

Michael Smith, 2023 PDC World Championship Final

Michael Smith hit a nine-dart finish in the 2023 PDC World Championship final, ending on bullseye. While this is technically a nine-darter rather than a standalone big fish, it shows the same dart combination (treble 20, treble 20, bull) in the highest-pressure situation imaginable. Smith went on to win his first world title.

Despite the attention these moments receive, the big fish remains exceptionally rare. On the PDC tour, players hit 170 checkouts only a handful of times per season. The difficulty of throwing two perfect treble 20s followed by a bullseye under pressure keeps the big fish one of the most respected achievements in the sport.

How to Practice the Big Fish Route

You do not need to hit a big fish in a match to benefit from practicing the 170 route. Breaking the checkout into its components improves your scoring consistency and bullseye accuracy simultaneously. Here is a structured approach:

Step 1: Master the Two Treble 20s

The first two darts of the big fish are identical to a 180 attempt. If you can hit two treble 20s in a turn, you already have the scoring component. Include 120-checkout practice (treble 20, treble 20, double 20) in your routine. This builds the muscle memory for the first two darts. Dartsva's structured training plans include scoring drills that track your treble 20 hit rate over time.

Step 2: Bullseye Isolation

Practice bullseye finishes on their own. Set up 50 (one dart bullseye), 56 (treble 16, bullseye), and 110 (treble 20, bullseye) scenarios. The more comfortable you are stepping to the oche needing a bullseye, the calmer you will be when the big fish opportunity arrives. Dartsva's Gauntlet assessment evaluates your bullseye accuracy and gives you a baseline to improve from.

Step 3: The Full Simulation

Once per session, set up a 170 practice round. Give yourself three darts at 170. Record whether you hit it. If you miss, note where you went wrong — first dart off target, second dart pressure, or third dart fade. Over weeks, track how often you hit each component. The goal is not to hit the big fish every session (that is unrealistic). The goal is to see steady improvement in your treble 20 percentage and bullseye finishing rate. Dartsva's performance dashboard makes this tracking automatic so you can focus on throwing.

Other Notable Three-Dart Checkouts

The big fish is the most famous named checkout, but it is not the only one. Here are other notable finishes:

• 167: Treble 20, treble 19, bullseye (the "crown jewel" setup when 20s are blocked).
• 164: Treble 20, treble 18, bullseye. The alternative route when your opponent has blocked treble 20.
• 161: Treble 20, treble 17, bullseye. A common choice when both 20 and 19 trebles are blocked.
• Shanghai: Single, double, and treble of the same number. Shanghai 20 scores 120. Any Shanghai is an automatic win in the Shanghai game variant.
• 132 (Champagne Shot): Bullseye, bullseye, double 16. Also called the champagne finish because it features two bullseyes.
• 170 (Big Fish): Treble 20, treble 20, bullseye. The maximum.

No checkout above 170 is possible because 171 exceeds the maximum three-dart limit. While other combinations exist for scores like 167, 164, and 161, none carry the same cachet as the big fish. It is the only checkout that requires maximum darts on every segment.

FAQ