The Darts Fan

101–120 finishes Checkout Routes

Transitional range between heavy scoring and controlled finishing. One strong first dart can still leave a simple two-dart close.

  • Transition range Use this range as a practical decision anchor during real visits.
  • First-dart importance Keep this principle visible so route decisions stay clean under pressure.
  • Setup conversion When direct routes break, convert quickly to your best next leave.

🧭 101–120 Transition Map

Use this transition map to move from scoring intent to finishing intent without forcing low-percentage darts.

120

Direct finish threat

First dart often T20 → transition to 60 left

Best example of the scoring-to-finishing shift in this band.

Open 120 finish

118

Direct finish threat

First dart often T20 → transition to 58 left

Still live after a strong first dart, but route quality drops quickly on a single.

Open 118 finish

114

Direct finish threat

First dart often T20 → transition to 54 left

Good training score for second-dart planning after a strong opener.

Open 114 finish

113

Direct finish threat

First dart often T19 → transition to 56 left

Useful for learning when direct finish plans should become setup visits.

Open 113 finish

Practical reading rule: in 101–120, one strong first dart can keep the checkout live; if it misses treble, convert quickly to setup and protect a familiar double.

🎯 First Dart → Remaining Finish Shape

Transition visual

Step 1

120 after T20 → 60 left

A clean first dart keeps a controllable two-dart finish shape in play.

Step 2

118 after T20 → 58 left

Still a practical finish shape if dart two is planned before release.

Step 3

114 after T20 → 54 left

Strong example of scoring pressure shifting directly into finish planning.

Step 4

113 after T19 → 56 left

Shows how first-dart choice determines whether the visit remains live or becomes setup.

Setup conversion after first-dart miss

Flow 1

120: T20 lands S20

100 remains with two darts, so direct finish usually drops and setup value rises.

Flow 2

118: T20 lands S20

98 remains with two darts; for many players this becomes a setup-first decision.

Flow 3

114: first treble hits, second dart misses

Route quality collapses quickly, so preserve a familiar next-visit double.

Flow 4

113: route breaks after dart one

Recalculate immediately and protect control instead of forcing the finish.

🎯 Range Overview

This range is the bridge from scoring mindset to finishing mindset: a strong first dart can still keep the checkout live.

Treat this band as transition-first: if dart one breaks the finish shape, shift quickly to setup and protect familiar doubles.

🔥 Featured Finishes

120 Finish

T20 → T12 → D12

  • Finishing double: Finishing double is often D20 on standard transition lines.
  • Why: Classic transition score: one strong scoring dart can still produce a clean finish shape.
  • Break pattern: T20 into S20 usually removes the direct three-dart close.
  • Setup switch: Convert to setup and leave a familiar one-dart double for next visit.
Open finish

119 Finish

T20 → T13 → D10

  • Finishing double: Common lines often steer toward D20 or D16 based on first-dart quality.
  • Why: Useful score for training the shift from scoring rhythm to controlled finishing decisions.
  • Break pattern: Single first dart often breaks the planned finish lane.
  • Setup switch: Use remaining darts to protect your best next-visit double family.
Open finish

118 Finish

T20 → T10 → D14

  • Finishing double: Standard routes frequently finish toward D20 or D16 patterns.
  • Why: Strong teaching score for first-dart value and second-dart planning discipline.
  • Break pattern: T20 into S20 often turns the visit from checkout into setup.
  • Setup switch: Shift early to leave quality instead of forcing low-percentage rescue darts.
Open finish

117 Finish

T20 → T11 → D12

  • Finishing double: Common route families usually target D20 or D18 outcomes.
  • Why: Practical transition score where route quality depends heavily on dart-one precision.
  • Break pattern: A first-dart single quickly removes the clean direct finish shape.
  • Setup switch: Rebuild the visit around a stable one-dart double for next turn.
Open finish

116 Finish

T20 → T12 → D10

  • Finishing double: Frequently shaped toward D20 finishes in standard route families.
  • Why: Excellent for learning when direct-finish intent should become setup control.
  • Break pattern: Missed opening treble often leaves awkward arithmetic with limited closing chances.
  • Setup switch: Use dart two to secure a comfortable leave instead of chasing hero lines.
Open finish

115 Finish

T20 → T13 → D8

  • Finishing double: Often works best when you protect a trusted D20 or D16 finish lane.
  • Why: Helpful score for developing controlled two- and three-dart visit decisions.
  • Break pattern: Single first dart usually breaks the original direct route.
  • Setup switch: Treat the visit as setup once finish probability drops below clean percentage.
Open finish

114 Finish

T20 → T10 → D12

  • Finishing double: Standard lines commonly keep D20 in play.
  • Why: Great transition reference because a strong opener can still simplify the finish.
  • Break pattern: Second-dart miss after a good first treble usually ends direct-close viability.
  • Setup switch: Protect a clean one-dart double instead of forcing the final dart.
Open finish

113 Finish

T20 → T11 → D10

  • Finishing double: Common route families often finish toward D18 or D20 depending on line.
  • Why: Useful pressure score for training fast route reassessment after dart one.
  • Break pattern: Broken first-dart route typically removes the clean checkout lane.
  • Setup switch: Switch to setup immediately and preserve your preferred finish for next visit.
Open finish

↪️ Miss-Adjustment Examples

120: T20 lands S20

Route break: 100 remains with two darts and the direct finish shape usually breaks.

Adjustment: Use dart two and dart three to leave a familiar next-visit double.

118: T20 lands S20

Route break: 98 remains with two darts, which often shifts the visit toward setup logic.

Adjustment: Stop forcing and build a controlled leave your routine converts well.

114: first treble hits, second dart misses

Route break: The visit loses its clean closing path after dart two misses the planned route.

Adjustment: Prioritize a stable one-dart double leave instead of high-variance recovery.

113: route breaks after dart one

Route break: Single first dart removes the intended finish family quickly.

Adjustment: Recalculate fast and protect next-visit control over direct-finish ambition.

🛡️ Setup-First Reminders

Do not treat every 101–120 score as all-or-nothing.

A broken finish attempt can still become a strong setup visit.

Choose routes that preserve familiar doubles when pressure rises.

✅ Practice Checklist

  • Train 101–120 finishes with 3-dart simulations and forced first-dart misses.
  • Call score after every dart to lock arithmetic under pressure.
  • Record which doubles your best routes leave most often.
  • Review lost legs where route choice, not throw quality, caused the miss.

❓ 101–120 finishes Checkout Routes FAQ

What is the best way to learn 101–120 finishes checkouts?

Start with common scores in the range, memorize one main route and one safer backup, then practice miss-adjustment drills.

Should I always use the same route in 101–120 finishes?

Use a standard route as default, but adapt if your preferred double or miss outcome makes another route more practical.

How important is setup in 101–120 finishes?

Very important. A controlled leave for next visit often beats forcing a low-probability finish after dart one misses.

Why is 101-120 called a transition range?

Because one strong first dart can keep the finish live, but one weak first dart often forces setup decisions earlier than players expect.

When should I stop chasing the direct finish here?

Stop chasing as soon as the first-dart miss removes your clean two-dart finish shape. Use the remaining darts to protect a familiar next-visit double.

Build the full skill around this route

Checkout execution improves faster when rules, setup, and route choices work together.

🔎 Sources and Editorial Review

Written by

The Darts Fan editorial team

Reviewed against

WDF Playing Rules and PDC Rules of Darts

Last reviewed

March 2026

How this page was built

This guide combines official rules, standard matchplay conventions, and beginner-focused checkout explanations.

Editorial note

Routes can vary by player preference, but all examples here respect standard double-out logic.

📚 Related checkout guides

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