161–170 finishes Checkout Routes
Highest three-dart checkouts. These routes usually require two trebles and clean pressure management on the last dart.
- Range map Use this range as a practical decision anchor during real visits.
- Miss-adjustment examples Have a clear recovery branch before dart one to avoid panic lines.
- Setup-first reminders When direct routes break, convert quickly to your best next leave.
🧭 161–170 Range Map
Use this map to separate true direct big finishes from scores that should usually become setup visits.
170
Direct featured finishT20 → T20 → Bull
Highest possible checkout and a core pressure landmark.
Open 170 finish169
Setup-first scoreNo direct three-dart checkout
Treat as a setup visit in standard double-out.
168
Setup-first scoreNo direct three-dart checkout
Use controlled scoring to protect your next double.
167
Direct featured finishT20 → T19 → Bull
Classic televised finish with strict first-dart dependence.
Open 167 finish166
Setup-first scoreNo direct three-dart checkout
Prioritize a stable leave over forced hero darts.
165
Setup-first scoreNo direct three-dart checkout
Setup-first by default in matchplay.
164
Direct featured finishT20 → T18 → Bull
Bull-ending route that still needs two clean trebles.
Open 164 finish163
Setup-first scoreNo direct three-dart checkout
Use this visit to secure a preferred next-visit double.
162
Setup-first scoreNo direct three-dart checkout
Avoid panic routes and protect arithmetic control.
161
Direct featured finishT19 → T18 → Bull
Less common than 170, but same bull-end pressure pattern.
Open 161 finishPractical reading rule: if dart one breaks the clean route, convert to setup immediately instead of forcing a low-percentage finish.
🧠 How This Range Works
Range logic
161-170 entry
Start with the standard treble route only on direct-featured scores.
First-dart dependency
These finishes rely heavily on the first treble being clean.
Bull-end pressure
Featured direct routes in this band usually close on bull.
Setup conversion
When dart one breaks the route, switch to setup and protect the next leave.
Miss-adjustment flow
Start planned route
Call the exact route before dart one.
Miss first treble
Treat a single hit as a trigger to recalculate instantly.
Can direct finish survive?
If no realistic route remains, stop forcing the finish.
Convert to best leave
Use remaining darts to secure a preferred double for next visit.
🎯 Range Overview
This range appears in pressure matchplay moments and rewards calm route discipline more than pure aggression.
Use score-specific pages for exact routes, but convert broken attempts into setup leaves quickly when the first treble misses.
🔥 Featured Finishes
170 Finish
T20 → T20 → Bull
- Why: Highest possible checkout and a benchmark for high-finish discipline.
- Break pattern: Missing the first T20 usually kills the direct finish immediately.
- Setup switch: Convert to setup at once when T20 misses into a single.
167 Finish
T20 → T19 → Bull
- Why: Classic TV checkout that rewards clear route commitment under pressure.
- Break pattern: A single 20 on dart one shifts the visit into low-percentage territory.
- Setup switch: Default to setup unless the new route is genuinely comfortable for you.
164 Finish
T20 → T18 → Bull
- Why: Strong bull-end route with clear treble sequencing.
- Break pattern: After T20, missing T18 into S18 often removes the direct finish.
- Setup switch: Use the last dart to leave a clean double instead of forcing bull.
161 Finish
T19 → T18 → Bull
- Why: Less common route, but the same high-pressure bull finish pattern applies.
- Break pattern: Missing T19 on dart one breaks the direct route quickly.
- Setup switch: Treat the visit as setup-first and protect the next-leg finish chance.
↪️ Miss-Adjustment Examples
170: T20 lands S20
Route break: 150 remains with two darts: the direct 170 finish is gone.
Adjustment: Switch to setup logic and leave a preferred double instead of forcing a miracle finish.
167: T20 lands S20
Route break: 147 remains and route quality drops for most players.
Adjustment: Unless 147 is genuinely in your wheelhouse, treat this as a setup visit and protect the next throw.
164: T20 hits, T18 lands S18
Route break: 86 remains with one dart, so direct finish no longer exists.
Adjustment: Use dart three to leave a controlled double for the next visit.
161: T19 lands S19
Route break: 142 remains and the planned direct line breaks.
Adjustment: Drop into setup mode immediately and avoid low-percentage rescue darts.
🛡️ Setup-First Reminders
Do not force bull when the route is no longer clean.
Protect a preferred double for the next visit.
High checkouts are won by route discipline, not only bravery.
✅ Practice Checklist
- Train 161–170 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.
🎬 Watch a High-Checkout Explainer
This PDC-specific clip is tightly relevant to the top-end checkout zone and highlights bull-end decision pressure.
High-checkout pressure: 170 route execution
- Shows real match pressure on bull-ending finishes.
- Useful for rhythm and route commitment patterns.
- Watch how players reset when the first dart pattern is not ideal.
❓ 161–170 finishes Checkout Routes FAQ
What is the best way to learn 161–170 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 161–170 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 161–170 finishes?
Very important. A controlled leave for next visit often beats forcing a low-probability finish after dart one misses.
Are all scores from 161 to 170 realistic direct checkouts?
No. The practical direct finishes in this band are 170, 167, 164, and 161. The other scores are usually setup-first decisions in standard double-out.
When should I stop forcing a finish in this range?
Stop forcing as soon as dart one breaks the clean route and your remaining chance becomes low percentage. Convert immediately to a controlled leave.
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.