The $1million question. How do I get better at darts?
Jan 17, 2025
It's the $1million question most amatuer darts players ask themselves at one time or another (or most likely every day of every year!). The reality for most of us is that we don't have a lot of time.
In reading article after article the one consistent theme is that every single practice session must have a purpose.
- Is it to improve your doubles?
- Is it to improve your scoring?
- Is it to increase your muscle memory on common outs?
- Is it to improve your counting?
Actually it really doesn't matter what it is as long as you have a purpose; a reason for being at the oche on that day.
Equally important is focus on or in your session. It's one thing to say 'hey, I'm going to go and throw some arrows to your housemates' but it's another thing entirely to be able to do so without being interrupted by kids, animals and partners.
I'm almost at the point where I need to put a sign on our garage door, "Dart Training In Progress. Stay the hell out!".
Another common theme is that simply playing games of 501 against the computer or other humans won't help you become a better player and that having a consistent practice routine is the key to relative darting success - and avoiding the want to throw the entire board out the window!
So what routine should you follow? A lot of this comes down to time. Raymond Smith said in one of his social media posts there was a time where all he could manage each day was one round of Round the Board on doubles. For him, that was the most bang for buck.
Recording your practice results can help you track how you are progressing (or not).
Even if you're playing Round the Board, how long did it take to finish? How many darts?
So where do you get these routines from?
There are a myriad of websites and social media options available to you these days. Hell, you could probably plug the request into an AI engine and it would spit something out. One of the most useful resources we've found is ThePracticeGuru on x.com (no, this isn't a paid advertisement!).
Here are 3 of the best (or perhaps the 3 most recent routines I've found and followed). Whether it works for you is down to how much you can stick to your routine.
- 10 mins on bull. 1st dart hits bull, try and get all 3 in there. If you miss, try for a shanghai (one single, one double, one treble) in whatever segment you hit. Write down how many Bullseye, Bull & Shanghai you hit. If short on time you can reduce this to 5 minutes.
- Numbers 20 to 10, 3 darts in fat/big single. Doubles/Trebles mean starting again. Great for throwing under pressure. Get those first 2 darts in.. can you get the 3rd? If short on time you can reduce this to 20-15 or 15-10.
- 10 random finishes between 2 and 80. 6 or 3 darts depending on your skill level. Again, short on time, drop it to 5 finishes.
- Matchplay practice, 101, 151, 201, 251 and 301. No more than 15 minutes. Cannot progress to next level until you hit the previous one.
This one is actually Damon Heta's practice routinue but was shared by The Practice Guru and worth consideration.
- 10 x Bull
- 21 x T20
- 20 x D16
- 20 x D20
- 10 x checkout 25 (3 darts only)
Then mix it up with one of the following:
Hit 20 of the main doubles & 10 of other doubles
or
Going up by 1, 3 dart checkout 2-100, 6 dart checkout 101-130
or
501 against the computer on whatever level challenges you. Best of 11 or Cricket against the computer
or
3000 under 90 darts
This one is a good one for those who struggle with hitting too many 26s. You really have to focus. But it can pay off with consistent work.
You're throwing at the 20 segment only....
T20 = 3 Points.
S20 = 1 Point.
Hit a 1, a 5, double 20, a bounce out or anything that isn't a T20 or S20 and your score goes back to zero.How high can you score? 20, 30? Let us know on socials.
Of course, even following a routinue isn't a guarantee that you'll be the next Luke Littler but it will set the foundation for you moving forward.
Good darts everyone.
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