Bogey Numbers in Darts
Bogey numbers are scores that cannot be finished in three darts under standard double-out rules. Knowing them prevents tactical dead ends and wasted darts.
- Critical endgame concept Spot dead-end scores early before they break your checkout visit.
- Prevents dead-end leaves Avoid routes that land on bogey numbers with no direct finish.
- Essential for setup decisions Convert broken routes into cleaner next-visit doubles.
📊 Bogey Numbers Table
| Score | Why it is a bogey | Typical risk pattern | Better leave to target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 169 | No legal three-dart double-out route exists. | Players force treble chains after a broken first dart and drift into a dead-end total. | Shift to setup early and protect 40 or 32. |
| 168 | Cannot be checked out in three darts with a valid final double. | Over-aggressive second dart choices after a first-dart single create this leave. | Steer to 40, 32, or 24 depending on your anchor double. |
| 166 | Three-dart double-out combinations do not resolve cleanly. | Route panic after a missed treble often lands here. | Downgrade to controlled setup and leave 16 or 24 if needed. |
| 165 | No standard legal close in one visit. | Bull-forcing attempts and rushed arithmetic can produce this dead-end. | Use dart two to keep even, finish-friendly numbers. |
| 163 | Not finishable in three darts under standard double-out. | Broken high-checkout routes can collapse into 163 when the branch is not preplanned. | Move to a leave-first mindset and aim for 40/32 lanes. |
| 162 | No legal three-dart finish path to a final double. | Trying to rescue an unrealistic line instead of switching to setup. | Take the safer branch that protects a preferred double next visit. |
| 159 | This total cannot be finished in three darts. | Late-dart corrections without recalculating the remaining score. | Pause, recalculate, and leave a clean one-dart double target. |
🧠 How to Avoid Bogey Leaves
Use this live sequence after any route break so setup decisions stay tactical instead of emotional.
Miss happens
Do not auto-throw dart two on the old route.
Recalculate immediately
Call the real remaining score before choosing the next target.
Check bogey risk
If the next dart can push you to 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162, or 159, reroute now.
Protect a clean leave
Use setup darts to create 40, 32, 24, or 16 where possible.
Commit to control
Setup quality beats forced low-percentage recovery attempts.
📘 Practical guide
What counts as a bogey number
In the classic 170-to-61 checkout zone, the main bogey numbers are 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162, and 159. These totals cannot be legally finished in three darts.
Why bogey awareness changes setup darts
When your finish attempt is gone, the next goal is to avoid landing on a bogey. Smart second and third darts should leave a finishable score for the next visit.
Common recovery pattern
After a miss, recalculate quickly: if a bogey is likely, redirect immediately to a controlled leave such as 40, 32, 24, or 16 depending on your preferences.
🧪 Common Bogey-Avoidance Examples
After a broken high route, avoid 169
When dart one misses and your planned finish is gone, forcing treble rescue often drifts into bogey land.
Action: Switch early to leave 40 or 32 instead of chasing an unlikely same-visit close.
Convert broken visits into clean doubles
Even when a direct finish collapses, two controlled setup darts can still leave 40, 32, 24, or 16.
Action: Treat dart two and dart three as placement darts, not desperation darts.
Setup beats forced treble recovery
Many dead-end leaves happen when players keep attacking trebles after the finish probability drops.
Action: If miss coverage is poor, downgrade immediately and protect your next-visit checkout.
Under pressure, simplify arithmetic
Fast opponent pressure can trigger rushed counting and accidental bogey leaves.
Action: Call score out loud and choose the branch that keeps even, finishable leftovers.
✅ Action checklist
- Memorize the seven high bogey numbers.
- Avoid aggressive follow-up darts that land on bogey totals.
- Prioritize clean doubles on setup turns.
- Recheck remaining score before dart three.
❓ Bogey Numbers in Darts FAQ
Are bogey numbers the same in every format?
They apply to standard three-dart, double-out checkout logic. Alternative out rules or special formats can change practical finish options.
Is 169 a bogey in all normal matchplay?
Yes for standard double-out three-dart checkout logic. You cannot finish 169 in one visit under those conditions.
How do I train bogey awareness?
Use short drills: start from random 121–170 scores, miss first dart on purpose, then practice finding non-bogey leaves for next visit.
Why are some high scores bogeys and others not?
It depends on whether any legal three-dart sequence can reach exactly zero with a final double. Some totals allow that structure, while bogey totals do not.
What doubles should I try to leave instead of a bogey number?
Most players should prioritize practical anchors such as 40, 32, 24, or 16. Choose the one-dart doubles you convert most reliably under pressure.
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.