Good board management is crucial in darts. In this article we explain one principle many players struggle with: after two darts, aim to be on a score where a T20 puts you on an outshot.
Example: 221 is fine
If you finish your second dart on 221, you’re in good shape with multiple options:
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Hit T20 → 161 left (finishable in 3 darts).
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Hit T19 → 164 left (also fine).
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Hit T18 → 167 left (also fine).
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Hit T17 → 170 left (great!).
Example: 223 is a no-go
Landing on 223 with one dart in hand is a no-go.
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T20 leaves 163 → bogey.
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T19 leaves 166 → bogey.
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T18 leaves 169 → bogey.
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T17 leaves 172 → no finish.
So avoid 223 when you still have one dart to throw. For instance, on 243 don’t aim at T20—hitting 20 puts you on 223. Aim for T19 instead: hit 19 and you’re on 224. Next visit, T20 → 164 (good) or T19 → 167.
How to practise
What helped me: tweak common practice games. People often play “170” legs; I add one visit to my starting score so I must count to reach a finish rather than getting it “for free” at the start.
I’ll start, for example, on 221 and try to set a finish from there by choosing scores that don’t land me on a bogey. It’s like learning to walk—only step up once the baby steps are solid. Then add 40 points at a time (261–275) so you need one triple and are forced to count with your second dart.
If a 60 (three 20s) doesn’t help, no other triple-less score will magically hand you a finish either. From there, work up to 299–310 (plus 312 & 315) where you’ll need two triples.
Good luck,
Nick
Discover this and many more tips at: https://www.dartschool.be/en/tips-en/
