In standard double-out darts, you cannot finish on 25 by hitting the outer bull. The outer bull scores 25, but it is not a double. You can finish from 50 by hitting the inner bull, because the bullseye counts as double 25 when 50 is required. If you have 25 left, you normally need to hit a setup single first and leave a double.
Last reviewed: 23 August 2026. This guide assumes standard 501 or 301 double-out rules. Straight-out, soft-tip and local pub formats can vary, so check the format before play.
Quick answer
No, not in normal double-out darts. If you have 25 left and hit the outer bull, you reach zero without finishing on a double, so the visit is bust. Your score returns to what it was at the start of the visit.
Yes, you can finish from 50 with the inner bull. Red Dragon’s rules state that a leg must finish on a double unless the format says otherwise, and that the bull counts as 50 and as double 25 when 50 is required.
Outer bull versus inner bull
The bull area has two scoring zones. PDC Europe’s rules explain that the bullseye in the centre scores 50, while the single bull around it scores 25. In casual conversation, people may call both areas “bull”, but in checkout terms they behave differently.
The outer bull is a scoring segment worth 25. The inner bull is the centre bullseye worth 50. In double-out x01, the inner bull can act as the finishing double because it is treated as double 25.
Why 25 is not a normal finish
Double-out means the winning dart has to land in a double segment or the bullseye. Dartshopper explains the rule this way: the winning dart must land in a double segment or bullseye, with 50 finished by bull. A single 25 does not meet that condition.
This catches beginners because 25 feels like it should be special. It is central, it is called bull by some players, and it looks like a finishing target. But the scoring value and the finishing rule are separate.
What happens if you hit 25 from 25 left?
Under double-out rules, it is a bust. You scored exactly the remaining amount, but the final dart was not a double. In x01 darts, that means the visit does not count and your score goes back to what it was before the visit started.
That can feel harsh, but it is consistent with other small finishes. If you have 20 left and hit single 20, you also reach zero without a double, so it is bust. The same logic applies to outer bull from 25.
Examples from 25 and 50
| Score left | Dart hit | Double-out result |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Inner bull | Game shot. |
| 25 | Outer bull | Bust. |
| 25 | Single 9 | Leaves 16, usually D8. |
| 25 | Single 1 | Leaves 24, usually D12. |
| 25 | Single 17 | Leaves 8, usually D4. |
Best routes from 25 left
The best route depends on your favourite doubles, but the principle is simple: hit an odd single to leave an even number that can be finished as a double. Common options are S9 to leave 16, S1 to leave 24, or S17 to leave 8.
S9 to D8 is popular because D8 is a comfortable double for many players. S1 to D12 is useful if you are nervous about missing into neighbouring segments. S17 to D4 is direct, but some players dislike ending on D4 because missing inside leaves D2 and then D1.
Route comparison from 25
| Route | Leaves | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| S9 | D8 | Players who like the 16 route. |
| S1 | D12 | Players who want a simple safe single. |
| S17 | D4 | Players comfortable on the lower-left board. |
| S5 | D10 | Players who prefer tops-style finishing lines. |
| S13 | D6 | Useful if you practise D6 regularly. |
How to choose your route
Choose the route by the double you want to leave, not by the single that looks easiest. If D8 is one of your better doubles, S9 is sensible. If D12 is more comfortable, S1 may be calmer. If you dislike D4, avoid S17 even though it is a valid route.
The best checkout players do this before they reach the oche. They do not stand on 25 and improvise. They already know which double they want and which single leaves it.
What if you miss the setup single?
Miss planning matters. If you aim at S9 and hit S14, you leave 11, which still needs another setup dart. If you hit S12, you leave 13. That is not a disaster, but it means the route becomes a two-step rescue rather than a clean finish.
This is one reason some beginners prefer aiming at S1. The target is next to 20 and 18, so the miss pattern can be messy, but the intended single is visually simple. More advanced players may choose S9 because they like the D8 route and can hit the single reliably.
Why odd scores require planning
Most doubles are even totals: D20 is 40, D16 is 32, D12 is 24, D8 is 16 and D4 is 8. If you have an odd number left, you usually need to hit an odd single first. That turns the remaining score into an even double.
The exception people notice is 50. It is even and can be finished with the bullseye. But 25 itself is not a finishing double; it is the setup score around the bull.
Other awkward odd finishes
The same logic applies to 31, 35, 37 and 39. You cannot finish them with one dart in double-out because they are odd. You first need a single that leaves an even double. For example, from 31 a common route is S15 to leave D8. From 35, S3 leaves D16 or S19 leaves D8.
Learning this pattern helps more than memorising one answer. Odd number left usually means: pick a single, leave an even double, then finish.
When can 25 finish?
In straight-out rules, 25 can finish if the format allows any scoring segment to take the score to zero. Some casual beginner games use straight-out to make finishing easier. That is not the same as standard competitive 501 double-out.
So the complete answer is: in double-out, no; in straight-out, possibly yes. Always confirm the rules before a casual game starts so nobody argues after the dart lands.
Why the bull terminology causes arguments
Some players say “bull” for the whole centre area, some say “outer bull” for 25 and “bullseye” for 50, and some use “double bull” casually for the inner bull. The terminology varies, but the rule does not: in standard double-out, the centre 50 can finish; the outer 25 cannot.
Darts501 explains the history and terminology around the bullseye and outer bull, which helps explain why casual language can be messy. For checkout decisions, use the scoring values: 25 scores, 50 can finish.
Practice drill for 25 left
Set the score to 25 and practise three routes. Throw S9 then D8 ten times. Throw S1 then D12 ten times. Throw S17 then D4 ten times. Record how often the first dart leaves the planned double and how often you finish within three darts.
This drill is more useful than repeatedly aiming at bull from 25. You are training decision-making, not only accuracy.
Three-dart drill structure
Give yourself three darts from 25. The first dart must be the planned setup single. If it lands correctly, use the remaining darts on the double. If it misses, do not reset immediately; practise the rescue route from the new score. That makes the drill more like a real leg.
After 20 attempts, write down your best route. If S9 leaves D8 most often and D8 goes in more than D12, make S9 your default. If S1 leaves D12 more calmly, use that route. The data should choose the route, not habit.
Common beginner mistakes
- Aiming at outer bull from 25: this busts in double-out.
- Not choosing a route first: hesitation leads to instinctive centre-board throws.
- Leaving awkward doubles: choose a setup single that leaves a double you like.
- Confusing 25 with 50: outer bull and inner bull are not the same checkout target.
Bust prevention habit
Before throwing at any score under 60, say the leave out loud. From 25, say “single 9 for double 8” or “single 1 for double 12”. This small habit prevents the automatic centre-board throw that causes the 25 bust.
Score-calling also helps teammates and opponents understand your route. If you miss, everyone knows whether it was a planned setup or a mistake. That reduces arguments in casual games and builds better checkout discipline in league play.
It also slows the visit just enough to stop panic decisions.
Why 50 feels different from 25
From 50, you have a one-dart finish because bull counts as double 25. From 25, you have a setup problem because no one-dart double scores 25. The board centre is visually similar, but the checkout logic is completely different.
This is why players often like leaving 50 but avoid leaving 25. One is a finish; the other asks you to create a finish.
Equipment and setup
Finishing practice needs clean feedback around the bull and doubles. Browse dartboards if the centre or double beds are worn, dart sets if grip or weight affects finishing, and darts accessories for flights, stems and practice setup essentials.
Related guides
For more rule context, read what happens if you go past zero, the hardest checkout in darts, what the big fish is, the best numbers to aim for and where beginners should aim.
Sources used
- PDC Europe rules on bullseye and single bull scoring.
- Red Dragon rules on double-out and bull counting as double 25.
- Dartshopper 501 rules explaining double-out and bull finishes.
- Darts501 bullseye and outer bull terminology history.
- Dartist 501 rules explaining double-out and busts.
- Darts Corner rules explaining 501 double-out.
Why 25 is an awkward leave
Twenty-five is awkward because it is odd and cannot be finished with one legal double. The outer bull scores 25 but is not a double, while the inner bull scores 50. That means a player on 25 needs to set up an even finish rather than expecting the bull area to solve it immediately.
Bottom line
You cannot normally finish on 25 in double-out darts because outer bull is not a double. From 25, hit a setup single and leave a double such as D8, D12 or D4. From 50, the inner bull can finish because it counts as double 25.
Visual guide: how to apply this at the board
FAQ
Is outer bull a double?
No. It scores 25 but is not a finishing double in standard double-out darts.
Can inner bull finish a leg?
Yes. Inner bull scores 50 and can finish because it counts as double 25.
What should I aim at from 25?
A setup single such as S9, S1 or S17, depending on which double you prefer.
What happens if I hit 25 from 25 left?
In double-out rules, it is a bust and your score returns to the start-of-visit total.
