The Best Dart Practice Routines to Improve Your Accuracy

Every darts player, from the casual enthusiast in a pub in Manchester to the seasoned pro on the stages of Alexandra Palace, shares a common goal: to improve their accuracy. Throwing a handful of darts at the board is fun, but structured practice is the secret to hitting what you’re aiming for consistently. If you want to move from hoping for a treble 20 to expecting it, you need a plan. This guide provides the best practice routines that will transform your game, build muscle memory, and give you the confidence to nail that crucial double when the pressure is on.

Whether you have a professional setup in your garage in Newcastle or a simple board in your flat in London, these routines are designed for you. They don’t require expensive equipment, just your set of darts, a dartboard, and the dedication to get better. Let’s dive into the exercises that will make every throw count.

Foundational Darts Practice Routines for Every Player

Before we get into specific games, it’s crucial to understand why a routine is so important. Simply throwing at the board without a goal is like driving without a destination. A structured practice routine for darts builds muscle memory. This means your arm, wrist, and body learn to repeat the exact same throwing motion without you having to think about it. It’s this consistency that separates the good players from the great ones. A great routine also keeps you engaged and allows you to track your progress, which is a fantastic motivator.

Your practice sessions should focus on different aspects of the game: scoring, accuracy on specific numbers, and, of course, finishing on the doubles. The following routines cover all these bases, providing a comprehensive training plan for any aspiring player in the UK and beyond.

For the Beginner: Building a Solid Base

If you’re new to the game or just want to get back to basics, these two routines are perfect. They focus on hitting every number on the board and building your confidence. They are the bedrock of a good darts practice schedule.

1. Around the Clock (Singles)
This is arguably the most famous practice routine in darts, and for good reason. It forces you to aim for every single number on the board, not just your favourite treble 20. The rules are simple:

• Start by aiming for the number 1. You must hit a single 1 before you can move on to 2.
• Continue in numerical order: 2, 3, 4, all the way up to 20.
• Finish the routine by hitting the bullseye.

This drill is fantastic for familiarising yourself with the entire board. Track how many darts it takes you to complete the circuit. Your goal is to reduce that number over time. For an added challenge, try to complete it with fewer than 100 darts.

2. 99 Darts at 20
Power scoring is a massive part of darts. This routine is designed to improve your consistency on the most important number on the board: the 20. You will throw 99 darts (33 turns) at the 20 segment.

• Aim all three darts of each turn at the 20.
• Score what you hit: a single 20 is 20 points, a double is 40, and a treble is 60.
• Keep a running total of your score after all 99 darts.

A beginner might score around 800-1000 points. An intermediate player might hit 1200-1500. The pros consistently score over 2000. This is a fantastic benchmark to measure your scoring improvement.

For the Intermediate Player: Honing Your Skills

Once you’re comfortable hitting singles around the board, it’s time to step up the pressure and focus on the parts of the game that win you legs: doubles and consistent high scoring. These routines are more challenging and are designed to simulate match pressure, making them essential for any serious darts player.

1. Bob’s 27
This is a brilliant game for improving your doubles, invented by darts professional Bob Anderson. It’s a high-pressure drill that punishes you for misses, just like in a real match.

• You start with a score of 27.
• You throw three darts at Double 1. For every dart that lands in the double, you add the value of that double (2 points) to your score. So, one Double 1 moves your score to 29.
• If you miss the double with all three darts, you subtract the value of the double you were aiming for. So, missing Double 1 with all three darts reduces your score from 27 to 25.
• You then move on to Double 2, then Double 3, and so on, all the way to the bullseye (which counts as Double 25).
• The game ends if your score drops to zero or below. Your goal is to complete the board.

This routine is incredibly effective for learning to throw at doubles under pressure. Keep track of your highest score to monitor your progress.

2. Checkout Practice (From 101)
Hitting a 180 is great, but it means nothing if you can’t finish the leg. This routine focuses on checking out.

• Start with a score of 101.
• Give yourself three darts to finish the leg.
• If you check it out, great! Start again from 102, then 103, and so on.
• If you fail to check out in three darts, stay on 101 and try again.

This drill forces you to think about combinations and is a realistic simulation of a match-winning scenario. It’s a must-do for any player looking to improve their finishing percentage. The game of darts is often won and lost on the outer ring of the board.

Tracking Progress and Staying Motivated

The key to seeing real improvement in your darts game is tracking your progress. It’s easy to feel like you’re not getting better, but the numbers don’t lie. Keep a small notebook or use a darts scoring app on your phone. For each practice session, write down the date and your scores from your routines. For example, note how many darts it took for ‘Around the Clock’ or your total score in ’99 Darts at 20′.

Looking back over weeks and months, you will see clear, factual evidence of your improvement. This data is the ultimate motivator. It shows that your hard work is paying off and encourages you to keep practicing. Remember, consistency is more important than intensity. Practicing for 30 minutes every day is far more effective than one four-hour session on a Sunday. Make it a habit, and the results will follow.

Final Tips for Effective Darts Practice

To make the most of your practice time, keep these final points in mind:

• • Focus on Your Stance and Throw: During practice, pay close attention to your form. Is your stance stable? Is your arm straight? A consistent throw is a repeatable throw.

– Stay Relaxed: Tension is the enemy of accuracy. Keep your grip light and your arm relaxed. Practice is the time to build a smooth, fluid motion.

• Mix It Up: Don’t just do the same routine every single day. Alternate between scoring, doubles, and accuracy drills to keep things fresh and work on all aspects of your darts game.

Practice is the journey, and seeing your scores climb is the reward. Embrace the process, and you’ll become a more formidable player.

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