What is the Best Number to Aim for in Darts?

When stepping up to the oche, one question dominates every dart player’s mind: where should I aim? Whether you’re a beginner looking to develop fundamentals or an experienced player wanting to optimize your strategy, understanding the best numbers to target can dramatically improve your performance and scores.

The Strategic Landscape of a Dartboard

Before diving into specific targets, it’s important to understand the dartboard’s scoring layout. A standard dartboard features:

• Numbers 1-20 arranged non-sequentially
• Double ring (outer narrow ring): 2x the number’s value
• Triple ring (inner narrow ring): 3x the number’s value
• Bullseye: Outer bull (25 points) and inner bull (50 points)

This diverse scoring system creates a fascinating strategic puzzle that changes based on your skill level, the game being played, and the specific situation you face.

Highest Scoring Area in Darts: The Triple 20

The triple 20 (T20) stands as the undisputed champion for maximum point potential, offering a substantial 60 points when hit successfully. This makes it the dartboard strategy for high score that most professional players employ. However, while T20 provides the highest possible single-dart score, it comes with significant risk due to:

• Its small target area
• Punishing miss consequences (hitting single 5 or single 1)
• High precision requirements

For professionals like Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, and Gerwyn Price, consistently hitting the T20 forms the backbone of their scoring strategy. Their practice routines often revolve around perfecting this shot.

Where to Aim in Darts for Beginners

For newcomers to the sport, aiming directly for triple 20 often leads to frustration rather than progress. Beginners should consider alternative targets:

Best Targets for Beginners:

1. The 20 segment (general area): Focus on hitting the number consistently before attempting the triple
2. Triple 19 (T19): Offers 57 points with more forgiving neighbors (7 and 3)
3. Bull’s eye practice: Improves overall accuracy and center-board comfort
4. Double 20 (D20): Helps develop precision for checkout situations

Professional coach John Part recommends beginners start with consistent grouping anywhere on the board before gradually moving to specific number targets.

Which Number to Aim at in Darts: The Situational Approach

The best target varies significantly depending on your situation:

For Maximum Scoring (501 or 301):

• Primary target: Triple 20 (60 points)
• Alternative high scores: Triple 19 (57 points) or Triple 18 (54 points)

For Checkout Situations:

• Double targets become priority (required to finish games)
• Preferred doubles: D16, D20, D8 (based on checkout percentages)

For Cricket:

• Focus on numbers 15-20 and the bullseye
• Triple hits close numbers faster

Best Target for Accuracy in Darts: Risk vs. Reward Analysis

When considering accuracy over maximum point potential, many experts recommend a personalized approach:

The 60% Rule

Professional player Wayne Mardle suggests: “Aim at the highest number where you can hit the triple with at least 60% consistency in practice.”

For many intermediate players, this often means:

• Triple 19 (57 points)
• Triple 18 (54 points)
• Triple 16 (48 points)

Each offers high scoring potential with less punishing misses compared to T20.

Dartboard Strategy for High Score: Beyond the Triple 20

While T20 dominates professional play, alternative strategies have merit:

The Triple 19 Advantage

• Only 3 points less per hit than T20 (57 vs 60)
• Missing into single 19 (19 points) outscores missing into 1 or 5 around T20
• Statistical analysis shows some players score higher overall with T19 focus

Strategic Switching

Many professionals, including Phil Taylor during his championship years, would switch between T20 and T19 based on:

• Current throwing form
• Dartboard wear patterns
• Blocking darts

Finding Your Personal Sweet Spot

The best number to aim for ultimately depends on your individual strengths:

1. Conduct a personal accuracy test: Throw 100 darts at each triple (20, 19, 18, 16)
2. Calculate your hit percentage and average score (including misses)
3. Identify your highest average segment, which may not always be T20

PDC professional James Wade famously scores heavily on T18 despite conventional wisdom favoring T20, demonstrating the importance of personal comfort.

Training Drills to Improve Targeting

To improve your accuracy at key targets:

The Around the Clock Triple Drill

• Aim for triples in sequence from 1-20
• Requires hitting the triple before moving to next number
• Develops precision across the entire board

The 60-57-54 Drill

• 10 darts at each of T20, T19, and T18
• Record scores to identify your strongest segment
• Develops consistency at high-value targets

The Checkout Pathways Drill

• Practice common checkout routes (e.g., 167: T20, T19, Bull)
• Improves strategic thinking and pressure situation performance

Mathematical Analysis of Scoring Efficiency

For analytically-minded players, here’s a comparative scoring breakdown:

Target Area	Perfect Score	Miss Left	Miss Right	Miss High/Low	Avg. Value*
Triple 20	60	1	5	20	~36
Triple 19	57	3	7	19	~34
Triple 18	54	1	4	18	~31
Triple 16	48	8	7	16	~30

*Average value assumes 50% triple hit rate with misses distributed to adjacent segments

Situational Targeting for Competitive Play

When Leading:

• Stick with your strongest consistent triple
• Focus on steady scoring over high-risk attempts

When Trailing:

• Consider the T20 for maximum catch-up potential
• Use strategic switching to disrupt opponent rhythm

Final Legs:

• Balance aggressive scoring with setup for favorite doubles
• Position for preferred checkout routes

Conclusion: The Best Number is Personal

While triple 20 offers the highest theoretical score, the best number to aim for in darts depends on:

1. Your skill level and consistency
2. The specific game situation
3. Your personal accuracy patterns
4. Your confidence with specific targets

The world’s best players can consistently hit triple 20, making it their optimal choice. For everyone else, the best strategy is finding your personal highest-percentage scoring area through practice and analysis.

Remember that dartboard strategy evolves with skill development. What works best during your early development may change as your accuracy and consistency improve. Regular practice and objective analysis of your results will help you identify your optimal targets for maximum scoring potential.

What’s your experience with different dart targets? Have you found success with alternatives to the traditional T20 approach? Continue your practice with these insights and watch your averages climb!

FAQs About Dart Targeting

Q: Should beginners always avoid triple 20?
A: Not necessarily avoid, but beginners should focus first on consistent grouping and accuracy before making T20 their primary target.

Q: What’s the best number to aim for in cricket?
A: In cricket, focus on efficiently closing numbers 15-20 and bullseye, typically starting with 20 and working down.

Q: Do professional players always aim for triple 20?
A: While T20 is the primary target, professionals strategically switch to T19 or other triples based on blocking darts or personal preference.

Q: What’s the best strategy when a dart is blocking my preferred target?
A: Have a pre-planned alternative target, typically shifting to T19 if T20 is blocked or vice versa.

Q: Should I focus on doubles or triples during practice?
A: A balanced practice routine should include both, with emphasis on triples for scoring and doubles for checkouts.