Short answer: yes, you can win 301 in six darts. Six darts is the theoretical minimum under normal finishing logic because five darts cannot score enough while still leaving a legal final double or bull. A straight-in example is 180 first visit, leaving 121, then T20, 11, bull. A double-in/double-out example is D20, T20, T20, leaving 141, then T20, T19, D12.
Last reviewed: 23 August 2026. Always check whether your 301 format is straight-in or double-in. Many casual 301 games use double-out, while some local and traditional formats require a double to start as well.
The rule that decides the route
301 belongs to the x01 family: players start on 301 and subtract each visit from the remaining total until someone reaches exactly zero. In standard double-out play, the winning dart must land in a double segment or the bull. PDC Europe explains that x01 legs must finish with a double under double-out rules, and Darts501 also describes straight-start and double-start variations.
The key question is whether the game is straight-in or double-in. In straight-in 301, scoring begins with the first dart. In double-in 301, no score counts until the player first hits a double or bull. That changes the perfect route.
Why six darts is the minimum
Five darts cannot complete 301 under normal double-out logic. Four maximum darts can score 240. That leaves 61 for the final dart. No single dart can legally finish 61, because the highest finishing single dart is the bull at 50 and the highest double is double 20 for 40. Therefore five darts is not enough.
Six darts can work because the first three darts can leave a valid three-dart checkout. The second visit then finishes the leg exactly on a double or bull.
Straight-in six-dart route
| Dart | Target | Score | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | T20 | 60 | 241 |
| 2 | T20 | 60 | 181 |
| 3 | T20 | 60 | 121 |
| 4 | T20 | 60 | 61 |
| 5 | Single 11 | 11 | 50 |
| 6 | Bull | 50 | 0 |
This route is clean because 180 leaves 121, and 121 has bull-finish routes. It is also brutal: four treble 20s, a controlled single, and bull to end the leg.
Double-in, double-out six-dart route
If the game requires double-in, the first scoring dart must be a double. One premium route is D20, T20, T20 for 160, leaving 141. The second visit can then be T20, T19, D12. Darts Checkout Assistant lists 141 as T20, T19, D12, and Darts501 includes the same route in checkout-chart form.
| Dart | Target | Score | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D20 | 40 | 261 |
| 2 | T20 | 60 | 201 |
| 3 | T20 | 60 | 141 |
| 4 | T20 | 60 | 81 |
| 5 | T19 | 57 | 24 |
| 6 | D12 | 24 | 0 |
Is 160 then 141 the only route?
No. It is a clear route, not the only legal route. In straight-in 301, 180 leaves 121. In double-in 301, opening on D20 and following with two treble 20s leaves 141. Other routes can exist depending on the format and the checkout route you prefer.
The correct way to think about it is not “memorise one magic line”. Think: first visit must leave a valid three-dart checkout; second visit must complete it legally. That is the whole structure of a six-dart 301 leg.
Choosing between 121 and 141
In straight-in 301, a 180 start is attractive because it is the maximum score and leaves 121. The finish can be played T20, 11, bull, or by another route depending on preference. The upside is obvious: you start with the most powerful visit available. The downside is that the leg still asks for a bull finish unless you choose a route that leaves a different double.
In double-in 301, the D20, T20, T20 route has a different character. It proves the six-dart idea while respecting the opening-double rule. It also leaves 141, a familiar high checkout because T20, T19, D12 is used in many checkout charts and appears in classic nine-dart routes. For players who like D12, that route can feel cleaner than a bull finish.
Neither route is “best” for every player. The best route is the one that fits the format and leaves a final dart you trust. A player who dislikes bull may prefer a 141-style route. A player who loves bull may be comfortable attacking 121 after a 180.
What changes when the first dart misses?
The six-dart attempt is fragile because every dart has a job. In straight-in 301, if the first dart lands in single 20 instead of treble 20, the perfect route is usually gone. You can still play a strong leg, but the mathematical six-dart path has probably broken.
In double-in 301, the miss can be even more severe. If the first dart misses the double in a double-in format, that dart scores nothing and does not start the leg. Even if the next two darts are perfect, you are no longer on the same six-dart scoring structure. That is why double-in 301 punishes slow starts more harshly than straight-in 301.
This is also why the article question needs the rule context. “Can you win 301 in six darts?” is yes, but the route depends on whether the first dart is allowed to score normally or must open the leg with a double.
Why six-dart 301 is harder than it looks
Six darts sounds simpler than a nine-dart 501 leg because there are fewer darts. But the margin for error is still tiny. In straight-in, missing one of the first treble 20s usually breaks the six-dart attempt. In double-in, missing the opening double means your score may not start at all.
The checkout visit also carries pressure. Leaving 141 is only useful if you are comfortable moving from treble 20 to treble 19 and then down to double 12. Leaving 121 is only useful if you are comfortable finishing on bull or choosing a route that leaves a preferred double.
301 versus 501
In 501, the minimum perfect leg is nine darts. The classic pattern is 180, 180, then 141. In 301, six darts is the equivalent short-format ideal: one scoring visit to leave a finish, one checkout visit to end the leg.
The comparison is useful because it shows why the last visit matters. A high first score does not win the leg. The finish wins it. In both 501 and 301, a perfect route is only perfect if the final dart lands in the right double or bull.
What normal players should take from this
Most players will not hit a six-dart 301 leg, and that is fine. The real value is learning to make the first visit mean something. If you cannot finish immediately, leave a number you understand. That habit wins more ordinary legs than chasing perfect routes.
For a beginner, the useful target is to leave a two-dart or three-dart finish after two visits. For a pub player, the useful target is to avoid awkward leaves such as 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162 and 159. For a stronger player, the useful target is to pick a route based on preferred doubles rather than just following the highest-scoring line.
Six-dart 301 is therefore a benchmark, not a training plan by itself. It shows what perfect looks like. Your practice should build the pieces that make better normal legs: opening doubles, high scoring, route awareness and checkout confidence.
How to practise for it realistically
Do not start by trying to hit a six-darter every leg. Start with the pieces. Practise 121 until you know more than one route. Practise 141 until T20, T19, D12 feels familiar. Then play short 301 legs and record whether you leave a finish after the first visit.
A strong beginner target is not “hit a six-darter”. It is “reach a finish after two visits”. A good intermediate target is to finish 301 in nine darts or fewer. The six-darter can stay as the perfect benchmark while the practice remains useful for real matches.
A 30-minute 301 session
Spend the first ten minutes on opening. If you play double-in formats, throw only at D20, D16 and bull until you can start confidently. If you play straight-in, use that block for controlled scoring at treble 20 and treble 19.
Spend the next ten minutes on the key finishes. Throw at 121 for five minutes and 141 for five minutes. Do not only record makes. Record whether you left a clean double after the first two darts. That gives better feedback than only counting completed checkouts.
Use the final ten minutes for full 301 legs. After the first visit, pause and name the finish you are trying to leave or take. This trains the planning habit that the six-dart route depends on.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring double-in: a 180 start is not valid if your rules require a double before scoring begins.
- Leaving a number you do not know: a valid checkout is only useful if you can execute the route.
- Confusing possible with likely: six darts is possible, but it is an elite-level leg.
- Forgetting the final double: reaching zero without a legal double or bull is not a proper double-out finish.
Equipment and setup notes
Six-dart 301 practice needs a clean board and repeatable darts. If the treble 20 or doubles are badly worn, the feedback becomes unreliable. Browse dartboards if your board is tired, dart sets if your grip or grouping feels inconsistent, and darts accessories for flights, stems, mats and checkout practice tools.
Visual guide: how to apply this at the board
Related reading
For the 501 version of the perfect-leg question, read the fewest darts to win 501 and how hard a nine-dart finish is. For scoring rules, see how you score darts and whether you can go past zero.
Sources used
- PDC Europe rules explaining double-out legs.
- Darts501 x01 game variations and double-start note.
- Darts501 checkout chart including 141 and high checkout context.
- Darts Checkout Assistant 141 route.
- Escalade Sports 301 and 501 rules summary.
Why the route must include a finish
A six-dart 301 is not just about scoring 301 points quickly. The final dart must satisfy the finishing rule being played, usually double-out. That means the route has to manage both total score and final segment. A mathematically high-scoring route is useless if it leaves no legal finish on the sixth dart.
Bottom line
You can win 301 in six darts, but the route depends on the rules. Straight-in can use 180 to leave 121. Double-in can use D20, T20, T20 to leave 141. Five darts is not enough under normal double-out logic, so six is the theoretical minimum.
FAQ
Can you win 301 in five darts?
No. Four maximum darts score 240, leaving 61, and 61 cannot be finished with one legal double or bull.
Does 301 have to start on a double?
Some 301 formats do, especially double-in/double-out versions. Straight-in 301 does not. Check the format before comparing routes.
What is a common 141 checkout?
T20, T19, D12 is the standard route used in many checkout charts.
Is six-dart 301 realistic for beginners?
No. Beginners should use it as a benchmark and practise the route pieces: 121, 141, doubles and leaving a finish.
