Short answer: the best number to aim for in darts depends on the job. For maximum scoring, aim at treble 20. If the 20 is blocked or your darts are dropping low, switch to treble 19. If you are a beginner, start with big 20 and big 19 to build grouping. Near the end of a leg, aim for the target that leaves a double you can actually hit.
Last reviewed: 23 August 2026. This guide covers standard steel-tip scoring and x01 practice. The best target changes by level, score remaining, miss pattern and match situation.
The simple rule
Treble 20 is the best pure scoring target because it is worth 60, the highest value available with one dart on a standard board. PDC Europe explains that hits in the triple ring triple the segment value and that three triple 20s make 180, the highest score in one round.
But “highest possible score” is not the same as “best target right now”. If you rarely hit treble 20, if the bed is blocked, or if a different target leaves a better finish, the best next dart may be somewhere else.
Best target for maximum scoring: treble 20
Experienced players aim at treble 20 because the reward is highest. One dart in treble 20 scores 60. Two treble 20s and a single 20 score 140. Three treble 20s score 180, the maximum.
If your throw is consistent enough to group around the 20 bed, treble 20 should be your main scoring target in 501. It creates the fastest route down the scoreboard and keeps the pressure on your opponent.
Best switch target: treble 19
Treble 19 is the main cover target because it scores 57 and sits away from the treble 20 bed. If your first dart blocks treble 20, switching to 19 can be better than trying to squeeze another dart into a blocked target.
It is also useful when your darts are naturally dropping low. A player missing below treble 20 may find that aiming at 19 keeps the visit productive while they reset the throw.
Best beginner targets: big 20 and big 19
Beginners often improve faster by aiming at bigger single segments first. Big 20 teaches a straight line through the top of the board. Big 19 gives another high-value segment and helps you learn a controlled switch.
This is not lowering the standard. It is building the foundation. A tight group of singles is more useful for learning than three darts sprayed around the treble ring. Once the group tightens, move the target smaller.
Best checkout setup targets
Near the end of a leg, your target choice should be shaped by the finish. Many players like leaving 40, 32 or 36 because those numbers lead to familiar doubles: D20, D16 and D18. If a high-risk treble leaves a bogey number or an awkward finish, a controlled single can be smarter.
This is where beginners start to think like match players. The best target is not always the highest score; it is the target that leaves the next dart or next visit easier.
A simple habit helps: before each visit under 200, say the leave you want out loud. That forces the target choice to match the scoreboard.
Practice targets versus match targets
Practice and match play have different goals. In practice, you may aim at big singles, bull area or specific doubles because you are building technique. In a match, you may aim at treble 20, switch to 19, or set up a finish because the scoreboard demands it.
If you practise only treble 20, you can become one-dimensional. If you practise only big singles, you may avoid the pressure of tighter targets. A good routine includes both.
Target choice by player level
| Player level | Main target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Big 20 and big 19 | Builds grouping and confidence. |
| Improver | T20 with T19 cover | Develops scoring and switch discipline. |
| League player | T20, T19 and setup singles | Balances scoring with checkout planning. |
| Advanced | Scoreboard-led targets | Every dart is tied to the remaining total. |
What to aim for when you keep missing
If your darts miss high, low, left or right, use the pattern. Missing low from treble 20 may make 19s useful for a short reset. Missing into 1 and 5 repeatedly may mean your line is not stable enough for treble practice yet. Move back to big 20 and focus on grouping.
The mistake is pretending every miss is random. Miss patterns are feedback. Target choice should respond to that feedback.
Miss-pattern diagnosis
Low misses: if darts keep dropping below treble 20, 19s can keep the visit useful while you work on release height. Do not use this as a permanent escape from 20s, but it is a valid match adjustment.
Side misses: if darts are leaking into 1 and 5, the issue is usually line control. In practice, widen the target to big 20 and aim for three darts in the same segment. In a match, choose the target that gives the safest miss for the score you need.
Blocked bed: if the first dart sits high in treble 20 and blocks the next dart, switching to 19 is often better than forcing a bad angle. This is a target-choice decision, not a failure.
Score-state examples
Early in 501: if you are on 501, 461 or 421, treble 20 is normally the main scoring target because you need to reduce the total quickly. Cover to 19 if the 20 is blocked.
Approaching a finish: once you are in the 200s or low 100s, target choice should consider the leave. A slightly smaller score can be better if it leaves a finish you know.
On a finish: if you need 40, 32 or 36, the best target is no longer treble 20. It is the double that wins the leg. This sounds obvious, but many beginners keep thinking like scorers when they should be thinking like finishers.
Why “best” changes during a leg
A leg of darts has phases. In the scoring phase, high trebles matter. In the setup phase, the remaining number matters. In the finishing phase, doubles matter. A player who uses the same target choice in every phase is leaving value on the board.
This is why advanced players look calm when they move away from treble 20. They are not being negative. They are matching the target to the job: score, leave, or finish.
Why the bull is not usually the best scoring target
The inner bull is worth 50, which is high, but treble 20 is worth 60. For scoring in 501, treble 20 is normally better. Bull practice is still useful because it builds centre-board control and matters for finishes such as 50, 121 and 170.
Use bull as a practice target and finishing target, not your default scoring target unless the game or drill specifically asks for it.
Target matrix for common situations
| Situation | Best target | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Need raw scoring | Treble 20 | Highest one-dart value. |
| 20 is blocked | Treble 19 | Strong cover score with a clearer bed. |
| New player | Big 20 or big 19 | Bigger target, clearer feedback. |
| Need bull finish | Bull | Required for finishes such as 50 or 170. |
| Need a clean double leave | Setup single | Leaves 40, 32, 36 or another preferred double. |
What beginners should measure
Beginners should measure control before maximums. Count how many darts land in the intended number. Then count how tight the group is. Only after that should you focus heavily on treble rate.
This prevents a common problem: a player hits one treble 20 and thinks treble 20 practice is working, even though the other darts are spread into 1, 5 and the board edge. A tight group of 20s is a stronger sign of progress than one lucky treble.
A practical 30-minute target session
Spend ten minutes on big 20 and big 19 grouping. Mark whether each dart stays in the intended segment. Spend ten minutes on treble 20 and treble 19, recording trebles, singles and misses. Spend the final ten minutes on setup numbers: 40, 32, 36 and 24.
This builds the whole decision system. You practise the big scoring target, the cover target, the beginner-safe target and the finish setup target.
Four-week progression
Week one: big 20 and big 19. Your goal is grouping, not maximum scoring. Record how many darts stay in the intended segment.
Week two: add treble 20 and treble 19 blocks. Record trebles, singles and misses separately so you know whether the target is realistic.
Week three: add cover-shot decisions. Throw one dart at treble 20. If it blocks the bed, switch to 19. If it lands cleanly, stay upstairs.
Week four: add checkout setup. Start from 181, 161 and 121 and choose targets that leave clean doubles rather than simply chasing the biggest score.
Common mistakes
- Aiming at treble 20 before you can group: start larger if the darts are spraying.
- Never switching: forcing a blocked treble 20 wastes visits.
- Ignoring the remaining score: a high score can still leave a poor finish.
- Overusing bull: it is valuable, but not the highest scoring target.
Equipment and setup notes
Target practice needs clear beds and consistent darts. If your treble 20 is worn, rotate or replace the board. Browse dartboards for a cleaner surface, dart sets if you are refining your grip and balance, and darts accessories for flights, stems, mats and practice essentials.
Visual guide: how to apply this at the board
Related reading
For scoring basics, read how you score darts. For beginner aim, see where beginners should aim. For scoring limits and pressure, read why they shout 180 and the highest score with one dart.
Sources used
- PDC Europe rules explaining triples and 180.
- PDC Europe glossary on triple 20 and maximum scoring.
- Net World Sports scoring guide.
- Dartshopper scoring and checkout rules guide.
- Sky Sports darts glossary.
Best target depends on the miss
The best number is not always the highest number. Treble 20 is the scoring benchmark, but a player who sprays into 1 and 5 may score better by learning controlled switches or building accuracy first. Target choice should consider reward, risk and where your bad darts usually land.
Bottom line
Treble 20 is the best scoring target, but it is not always the best next dart. Beginners should build grouping on big 20 and big 19. Improving players should add treble 19 as a cover shot. Near a finish, aim for the number that leaves a double you can hit.
FAQ
Should beginners aim at treble 20?
They can, but big 20 and big 19 are often better first targets for grouping.
Why do players switch to 19?
Treble 19 is a strong cover target when treble 20 is blocked or the throw is drifting low.
Is bull the best number to aim for?
Not for scoring. Bull is worth 50, while treble 20 is worth 60.
What should I aim for near the end of a leg?
Aim for targets that leave preferred doubles such as 40, 32 or 36.
