How to Avoid 159 in Darts

159 is the lowest bogey number over 100. Two treble 20s leave 39 — not a double. No three-dart route reaches a checkout from 159.

Bogey number — cannot be finished in three darts

A bogey number is any score under 170 that cannot be taken out in three darts. 159 is one of seven such numbers. Here is why:

T20 (60) + T20 (60) = 120, leaving 39. 39 is not a double.
T20 (60) + T19 (57) = 117, leaving 42. D21 doesn't exist.
T19 (57) + T19 (57) = 114, leaving 45. 45 is not a double.

Instead of leaving 159, you should have left 160 on your previous visit. Here is the route:

160 checkout

T20 + T20 + D20

Leave 160 instead — a clean three-dart finish via T20, T20, D20. That means scoring 41 on your previous visit instead of 42, keeping you alive for a two-treble setup into tops. One point makes the difference between a bogey and a finish.

Stop Leaving Bogey Numbers

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There are seven bogey numbers in darts. Learn how to handle each one:

169 168 166 165 163 162 159

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