Darts 501: From Checkout to 9-Darter
501 Double Out is the ultimate test of pure precision and mental calculation. It's the official format of PDC World Championships.
The Ultimate Achievement: The "9-Darter"
In golf, there's the "hole in one". In bowling, the perfect 300. In darts, the ultimate feat is called the 9-Darter. It's the minimum number of darts needed to go from 501 to 0.
It's extremely rare. Even the world's best players can go months without achieving one during a televised event.
The Classic Combination
The "royal" path, most attempted by pros:
First volley : 180 (3 × T20) → Remaining 321
Second volley : 180 (3 × T20) → Remaining 141
Third volley (The Checkout) : T20 (60) + T19 (57) + D12 (24) = 141 ✓
The 9 Perfect Darts
The perfect conclusion of a 9-darter: T20, T19 and D12.
The Art of the Checkout: Finishing in Style
The "Checkout" is the last volley that allows you to reach exactly 0, necessarily finishing with a double. This is where pressure is at its maximum.
The "Big Fish" (170)
It's the highest possible checkout and the most spectacular. It requires two triple 20s and a Bullseye (red center). Achieving a "170 finish" is a memorable moment.
The "Big Fish": 170 Checkout
The highest possible checkout
60
60
50
Top Checkouts
The "Big Fish": the supreme 170-point checkout, achieved with T20, T20 and Bull.
The "Bogey Numbers"
These are scores that are impossible to finish in 3 darts.
Impossible scores : 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162, 159
A player who finds themselves on one of these numbers knows they'll have to give their opponent a chance.
Key 501 Statistics
In the professional world, every dart thrown is analyzed.
Match Statistics (example)
| Player | Average | Checkout % | 180s | Best checkout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. van Gerwen | 105.2 | 47% | 8 | 156 |
| L. Humphries | 98.7 | 42% | 5 | 132 |
Example of a statistics board during a televised match.
| Statistic | Description | Pro Level |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Dart Average | Average score per volley | 90-100+ |
| Checkout Percentage | Success rate on doubles | > 40% |
| Number of 180s | Perfect volleys (3 × Triple 20) | - |
Conclusion
501 is much more than a simple subtraction game. It's a discipline that combines surgical precision, ultra-fast mental calculation and stress management. Every game is a new opportunity to defy statistics.
Also read: