Why High Averages Don't Win Matches (and What Actually Does)

The Myth of the High Average

Most players obsess over their three-dart average. They think a 60+ average means they're playing well. And it does—until the finish line. The truth is, averages measure how fast you get to a game, not how often you win.

Consider this: you throw three 100+ scores to leave 101. Then you need five visits to hit double 1. Your average for that leg might still be 50+, but you lost because you couldn't close. Meanwhile, your opponent who averaged 45 but checked out in two visits won the leg.

The goal of 501 is to reach zero first. Not to post the highest score per dart. Chasing averages leads to what many call "darts practice burnout"—endless rounds of 20s and 19s that never translate to match wins.

Why High averages don't win matches. Winning doubles do.

Matches aren't decided by your visit average—they're decided by whether you hit the double when you're on a finish. A player who checks out 45% of the time will beat a 60-average scorer who checks out 25%, leg after leg.

That's why league winners aren't always the players posting the flashiest numbers. They're the ones who close. Scoring gets you to the finish line; doubling gets you across it.

Why You're Stuck at a 40 Average

If you're "stuck at a 40 average and can't seem to improve, the culprit is almost always finishing. Many players hit 60, then 41, then 60 again—that's a 53.6 average per visit. But if you leave yourself on 32 and take three visits to hit double 16, your average for that leg drops to 40. Your scoring was fine; your doubling killed the number.

Being "stuck at 40 average" is often a doubling problem, not a scoring one. A structured plan like the Road to 50 plan targets weak doubles over several weeks while your scoring stays solid. Many players ask "why am I not getting better at darts?" when the answer is right in front of them: they don't practice finishing under pressure.

The 121 Darts Drill Strategy

One effective way to fix this is the 121 drill. Start on 121 and try to check out in three darts. If you miss, you reset. This forces you to think about setups and doubles under pressure, not just scoring. It's a staple of professional practice routines.

But even the best drills only help if you track your results. That's where data-driven practice comes in.

Data-driven darts practice means logging every attempt, every miss, and every finish. It's not enough to "feel" like you're improving. You need numbers.

Write down every double you attempt and whether you hit it. Note which finishes you miss under pressure and how many darts you needed to close. After a few sessions, patterns emerge—and they're rarely what you expected.

"I feel like my doubles are getting better" is not the same as "my D16 hit rate went from 30% to 48% over four sessions." One is a guess; the other tells you exactly what to practice next week. That gap between feeling and data is where most players stay stuck.

What Actually Wins Matches: Checkout Percentage

Your checkout percentage is the single most underrated metric for match wins. It tells you how often you finish when you have a dart at double. A player with 60% checkout wins far more often than a player with 30, even if their scoring average is lower.

Tracking checkout percentage across sessions reveals patterns. Maybe you're great at double 16 but terrible at double 10. Or you choke on double 16 under pressure. Without data, you'll keep practicing randomly.

Dartsva helps you track checkout consistency across sessions, helping you identify when to shift focus from scoring to finishing. Instead of guessing, you get clear feedback: your checkout percentage is 25 this week, but your scoring average is up. The tool tells you to spend next week on doubles.

How to Practice Doubles Effectively

Don't just throw at double attempts at double 16. Use structured games like Bob's 27. This classic game gives you a life for each double you hit, forcing you to hit multiple doubles under pressure. It's one of the best darts consistency drills.

Another option is 170—start on 170 and try to check out in 12 darts or less. This mimics match situations where you're on a big finish. Combine with 101 double in double out (DIDO) to build finish from any out.

But here's the key: track your results. Write down how many you hit out of 10 attempts at each double. Use an app like Dartsva to log your practice. Over time, you'll see which doubles need more attention.

The Data-Driven Practice Revolution

The best players don't practice harder—they practice smarter. Data-driven darts practice means analyzing your strengths and weaknesses and then training specifically on your weak spots.

For example, if you notice your checkout percentage on double 8 is 20% but on double 16 it's 60%, you know where to spend your time. This is far more efficient than throwing 100 darts at random doubles.

Dartsva provides a Dartsva Gauntlet assessment that tests your finishing under simulated match pressure. It gives you a skill rating based on your checkout performance not just your scoring. This helps you answer "how to increase darts average" in a way that actually wins matches.

Darts Performance Tracking

Tracking your performance over time is essential. Many players use best darts practice apps 2026 like DartCounter or MyDartTraining alternatives. But most of these apps focus on scoring finishing. Dartsva is designed specifically for checkout tracking and data.

You can compare your checkout percentage across sessions see if you're improving. You can set goals: "I want to hit double 16 50% of the time this week." Then you practice specifically on that double 16 until you hit that target.

Breaking the Cycle of Practice Burnout

Many players experience darts practice burnout because they do the same drills over and over without seeing results. They throw 100 at 20s then 100 at double 16 but never measure the outcome. After weeks of no improvement they quit or switch to a different set of darts.

The fix is simple: practice with purpose. Use data to decide what to practice. If your checkout percentage is below 30% spend 80% of your practice time on doubles. If your scoring average is below 50 work on grouping and consistency.

Dartsva helps you track both so you never waste another session. You'll know exactly why you're not improving and what to fix next.

This is the first half of the article. In the second half we'll cover specific drills like Bob's 27 and 121 discuss how to use Dartsva's Gauntlet assessment and answer common questions about doubling practice.

Quick Takeaways

• High scoring averages don't win matches finishing does.

• Being "stuck at a 40 average" is usually a doubling problem not a scoring one.

• Track your checkout percentage every session it's the metric that matters most.

• Use structured drills like Bob's 27 and 121 to build pressure-proof finishing.

• Dartsva's Gauntlet assessment gives you a skill rating based on finishing not just scoring.

How to Play Bob's 27 (and Why It Works)

Bob's 27 is the gold standard for doubling practice. Here's how it works:

Start with 27 points. You throw three darts at double 1. If you hit, you add the value of that double (2 points) to your total. Miss, and you subtract the same value. Then move to double 2, then double 3, all the way up to double 20, then bullseye.

The goal is to finish with a positive score. If you hit zero or negative, you lose. This forces you to hit doubles under pressure — if you miss a few early, you're scrambling to recover later. It's one of the best **darts consistency drills** because it trains both accuracy and mental resilience.

Pro tip: Play Bob's 27 at least three times per week. Log your final score in Dartsva to track progress. Over time, you'll see your average finish score rise, which directly translates to better match doubling.

The 121 Darts Drill Strategy

The 121 drill is a staple for professional players. Start on 121 and try to check out in three darts. If you miss, you reset to 121. The goal is to hit as many checkouts as possible in a set number of attempts.

This drill teaches you to think about setups and finishes under pressure. For example, from 121, many players go for treble 20 (60) to leave 61, then treble 15 (45) to leave double 8. But if you miss, you need an alternative route. The drill forces you to adapt.

How to use it: Play 10 rounds of 121. Record how many you check out. Aim for 50% or higher. If you're below 30%, focus on your double game first.

Dartsva can log your 121 results alongside your regular practice, giving you a clear picture of your finishing efficiency.

Dartsva Gauntlet Assessment: Your Finishing Skill Rating

The Dartsva Gauntlet assessment is a structured test that simulates match pressure. You face a series of finishes (e.g., 40, 32, 16, 8) and must check out within a set number of darts. The system tracks your success rate, time per attempt, and consistency across sessions.

After the assessment, you receive a darts skill ratingthat reflects your finishing ability. This is different from a scoring average — it tells you exactly how reliable you are when the match is on the line.

Many players discover they are great at scoring but terrible at finishing. The Gauntlet assessment reveals that gap, so you can adjust your practice accordingly. Instead of wondering “why am I not getting better at darts,” you get a clear answer: your checkout percentage on double 16 is 20%, and you need to drill that double until it hits 50%.

FAQ

How often should I practice doubles?

At least 50% of your practice time should be on doubles. If your checkout percentage is below 30%, spend 70% of your time on finishing. Use structured games like Bob's 27 and 121, not just random throws.

What is a good checkout percentage?

For amateur players, 25-35% is average. League players should aim for 40-50%. According to official PDC Europe statistics from the 2026 European Darts Grand Prix, top professionals achieve checkout percentages between 47% and 52% under tournament pressure. (View 2026 European Darts Grand Prix stats) Track your percentage weekly and set small improvement goals.

Can I improve my doubles without playing matches?

Yes. Bob's 27, 121, and 170 drills are all match‑simulating. But you also need pressure practice – play games against a bot or a friend where you must finish to win. Dartsva's Gauntlet assessment adds that pressure element.

Why do I play well in practice but choke in matches?

You're not practicing under pressure. Add a consequence to your drills – if you miss a double, you lose a point or reset. The Gauntlet assessment simulates match tension by timing your attempts and scoring your success rate.

What's the best app for tracking darts average?

Most apps track scoring averages, but few focus on checkout percentage. Dartsva is built for finishing tracking, so you can see exactly where you're losing matches. It's a better choice than generic scorekeepers.

Conclusion

Winning at darts isn't about hitting the most 180s or posting the highest average. It's about finishing when it counts. The next time you blow a 240‑point lead, don't blame your scoring – look at your checkout percentage.

Start by playing Bob's 27 three times a week. Log your results. Use the 121 drill to build pressure‑proof finishes. And if you're serious about improving, run the Dartsva Gauntlet assessment to get a real skill rating.

Stop chasing averages. Start winning matches.