40 Finish
Use this 40 checkout guide to pick the best route, manage first-dart misses, and keep your finish decisions calm in real matchplay.
- Exact double-out finish Protect familiar doubles to keep finishes repeatable under pressure.
- Standard and safer routes Choose route risk by miss coverage, pressure, and opponent position.
- Missed-dart recovery Have a clear recovery branch before dart one to avoid panic lines.
- Setup-first decision support When direct routes break, convert quickly to your best next leave.
🎯 Quick answer
Best route
D20
Safer route
20 → D10
Key risk
Single-dart pressure: this is clean on paper, but misses can leave awkward next-visit numbers.
🗺️ Finish flow diagram
Read this finish as a simple sequence: choose the route, react to dart one, then close on a legal double.
Start with 40 remaining.
Dart 1: aim D20.
Reach exactly 0 with a valid double to close the leg.
Standard line
D20
If dart 1 misses
Switch to the safer continuation: 20 → D10. If no clean finish remains, set up a preferred double for next visit.
📸 Finish board example
Low-finish visual anchor: tight grouping discipline for reliable leg closing.
Standard line on this score: D20
- Use board landmarks around your first target before throwing dart one.
- If dart one misses, switch to the safer continuation instead of forcing the original route.
- When no clean close remains, use dart three to leave a preferred double for next visit.
🎬 PDC finish example
PDC checkout examples around the most common leg-closing doubles.
Best checkouts from the 2019/20 World Championship
- Official PDC highlight pack with popular finish moments.
- Includes mixed route types and pressure situations.
- Good all-around visual reference for checkout habits.
🎯 Main route
| Dart | Target | Points | Score left |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D20 | 40 | Checkout |
🛡️ Safer route
| Dart | Target | Points | Score left |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| 2 | D10 | 20 | Checkout |
↪️ If you miss the first dart
- If D20 lands as 20, 20 remains: switch to D10.
- If dart one scores 0, 40 remains: re-enter with D20 rather than forcing a panic treble.
- Call the new total out loud after dart one so your second and third darts follow a valid route.
🎯 Bull decision
- Bull is usually low value on this finish. Prioritize treble-to-double or setup-to-double routes.
- Route stability matters more than flashy bull attempts when conversion is the goal.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Mistake 1
Forcing low-percentage recovery darts from 40 instead of switching to setup when the first route breaks.
Mistake 2
Ignoring bogey and awkward leaves after dart two.
Mistake 3
Rushing arithmetic and throwing dart three before confirming the legal finish.
🧩 Setup and preferred leaves
- If 40 cannot be finished after dart one, use dart two to protect a clean double (40, 32, 24, or 16).
- Prefer leaves that match your strongest finishing double rather than chasing maximum points blindly.
- Avoid leaving 1 in double-out formats; plan setup darts to keep even finish options.
🔁 Neighbor finishes
❓ 40 Finish FAQ
What is the standard 40 finish route?
A common route is D20. Route choice can still vary by preferred doubles and miss coverage.
Is there a safer 40 checkout option?
A safer alternative is 20 → D10, especially when you want cleaner backup options after a miss.
Should I force the finish from 40 if dart one misses?
Not always. If a high-probability two-dart close is gone, switch to setup mode and leave your best double for next visit.
Does bull matter on 40?
Bull is usually not a priority on this score. Standard treble-to-double pathways are typically stronger.
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.