The hardest standard checkout in darts is 170, usually called the big fish. It is the highest checkout possible in one three-dart visit under normal double-out rules: treble 20, treble 20, bull. But that answer needs a proper explanation, because “hardest” can mean three different things: the highest possible finish, the least forgiving route, or the finish that feels most awkward for a particular player.
Last reviewed: 23 August 2026. This guide is written for standard steel-tip x01 darts where a leg must finish on a double or the bullseye.
Quick answer
If you mean the highest checkout, the answer is 170. The route is T20, T20, bull. Sky Sports describes the Big Fish as the highest possible checkout and gives that exact route. PDC Europe’s rules also matter here: the bullseye counts as double 25, so it can legally finish a leg when 50 remains.
If you mean the checkout that feels hardest in match play, the answer is more nuanced. Some lower finishes can feel nastier because they require switches, disliked doubles, or leave fewer comfortable recovery paths. Still, 170 remains the headline answer because it sits at the absolute ceiling and allows very little error.
Why 170 is the highest checkout
A player has three darts in a visit. The highest score with one dart is treble 20, worth 60. Two treble 20s score 120, leaving 50. Because the bullseye is treated as double 25, the final dart can finish the leg. That creates the maximum checkout route: 60 + 60 + 50 = 170.
You cannot finish 171 in three darts because the final dart must be a double or bull. Even if the first two darts score 120, the remaining 51 cannot be finished by one legal double. That is why the checkout ceiling stops at 170.
Why 170 is called the big fish
“Big fish” is darts slang for the 170 checkout. The name is partly commentary culture and partly because it is the biggest finish available. In a televised leg, leaving 170 instantly creates a recognisable story: two treble 20s, then the bull. Everyone watching knows the final dart will be dramatic if the first two land.
The phrase is useful because it compresses a lot of meaning. It tells you the player is on the highest possible finish, that the bull may decide the leg, and that the attempt is high pressure before the player has even thrown.
The route: T20, T20, bull
The clean route is simple to write and difficult to execute. First dart: treble 20. Second dart: treble 20. Third dart: bull. There is no clever alternative that makes 170 easy, because any winning route still has to reach 170 and finish on 50.
The simplicity is part of the appeal. Some checkouts are hard because the route is complicated. 170 is hard because the route is obvious and still demands near-perfect execution.
Why 170 is so unforgiving
The main reason 170 is difficult is recovery. On many lower finishes, a missed treble can still leave a two-dart route or a sensible setup. On 170, if the first dart misses treble 20, the checkout attempt usually disappears immediately.
For example, hit single 20 with the first dart and you have 150 left with two darts. The highest two-dart finish is 110, because the best possible scoring dart is 60 and the best finishing dart is bull for 50. So a single 20 first dart kills the checkout. That makes the first dart unusually decisive.
The bull finish changes the pressure
Many big checkouts finish on a double around the outside of the board. 170 finishes at the bull, the centre-board double. Some players love bull finishes because the target is visually clear. Others find them uncomfortable because the bull does not share the same rhythm as an outside double.
There is also a psychological difference. If a player hits T20 and T20, everyone knows exactly what is coming next. The final dart has no disguise. The board, crowd and opponent are all waiting on one centre target.
Is 167 harder than 170?
Some players would argue 167 can feel harder because it requires a switch: T20, T19, bull. A switch adds alignment pressure. Instead of staying on the same bed for two darts, the player must move from 20s to 19s and then to bull.
That does not make 167 the highest checkout. It makes it a different kind of difficult. The 170 route has the biggest ceiling and no first-dart recovery. The 167 route has a required switch and still ends on bull.
How 164 and 161 compare
Other classic high bull finishes include 164 and 161. A common 164 route is T20, T18, bull. A common 161 route is T20, T17, bull. These are elite finishes because they still require two big trebles and a bull, but they are below the 170 ceiling.
Darts Checkout Assistant groups 170, 167, 164 and 161 together as high finishes that require two big trebles followed by double bull. That family is worth practising together because the skill is not only one number; it is the ability to switch accurately while preserving a bull finish.
The bogey-number trap
Near 170, several numbers cannot be finished in three darts. Darts Checkout Assistant lists 169, 168, 166, 165, 163 and 162 as no three-dart checkouts. These are often called bogey numbers. If you leave one of them, you cannot take the leg in the next visit with three perfect darts.
This is why setup matters. A player on 229 who scores 60 leaves 169, which is a bogey. A player thinking clearly may choose a route that avoids that leave. Checkout skill starts before you are actually on a checkout.
Highest checkout versus hardest checkout
For a clean factual answer, highest and hardest are often treated together: 170 is the hardest standard checkout because it is the highest possible. But serious players separate the terms.
Highest means the biggest legal finish. That is 170. Hardest in execution can depend on the route, the player’s favourite doubles, whether a switch is required, and what happens after a miss. Hardest under pressure depends on the match situation: deciding leg, opponent waiting, crowd noise, and whether the player has just missed chances.
What makes a checkout difficult?
A checkout becomes difficult when it stacks several demands together. It may need multiple trebles. It may require a switch. It may finish on bull. It may offer no recovery after a miss. It may force a double the player dislikes.
170 stacks the most obvious demands: two maximum-value trebles, a bull finish, and poor recovery. That is why it deserves its reputation even though other finishes can feel awkward in individual hands.
Practical difficulty table
| Checkout | Common route | Why it is hard |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | T20, T20, bull | Highest finish; first miss usually kills the checkout. |
| 167 | T20, T19, bull | Requires a switch and still finishes on bull. |
| 164 | T20, T18, bull | Two trebles plus a centre-board finish. |
| 161 | T20, T17, bull | Lower ceiling, but still a demanding big-finish route. |
| 160 | T20, T20, D20 | No bull, but still needs two treble 20s. |
How to practise the 170 checkout
Do not practise 170 by throwing once at it, missing, and resetting without structure. Break it into the parts that make it hard. First, practise two-dart scoring at treble 20. Your target is not one lucky treble; it is creating regular chances where the third dart matters.
Next, practise bull finishes separately. Start on 50 and give yourself three darts, but count only clean bull finishes as success. Then combine the drill: T20, T20, bull. Keep a record of which stage fails most often. If the first treble is the issue, you need scoring practice. If the final dart is the issue, you need bull work.
A better big-finish practice routine
Use a four-number rotation: 170, 167, 164 and 161. Give each number three attempts, then move on. This teaches the whole high-checkout family instead of turning 170 into a novelty shot.
Score the routine in three columns: first treble hit, second treble hit, finish dart hit. That tells you whether your weakness is scoring, switching or finishing. Good checkout practice produces information, not just frustration.
Route memory under pressure
Route memory matters because pressure makes players hesitate. If you need 167 and you are still calculating after the first dart, you have added mental noise to an already difficult finish. High checkouts should feel pre-loaded.
Practise saying the route before you throw: “170 is T20, T20, bull.” “167 is T20, T19, bull.” This is a simple habit, but it builds automatic recall and stops indecision from stealing rhythm.
When should you actually go for it?
If you are on 170 in a match, you usually go for it because there is no downside to trying the first treble if the score and leg situation demand pressure. But the decision after a miss matters. Once the checkout is gone, the job becomes leaving a clean finish for the next visit.
This is where players lose discipline. A missed T20 on 170 should not lead to two careless darts. It should trigger a setup decision. The best players recover the visit even when the spectacular finish disappears.
What equipment helps checkout practice?
You do not need gimmicks to practise big finishes, but you do need a clear board and consistent setup. A worn treble 20 or damaged bull makes practice less useful because you are no longer reading the target cleanly. If your board is tired, compare dartboards. If grip or balance is inconsistent, browse dart sets. For routine-building, darts accessories such as mats, stems, flights and checkout aids can help keep sessions consistent.
Related guides
For the nickname and route, read what the big fish is in darts. For scoring limits, see the highest score with one dart. For impossible totals, read the impossible score with three darts. For elite finishing context, see how hard a nine-dart finish is and what happens if you go past zero.
Sources used
- Sky Sports darts glossary on the Big Fish.
- PDC Europe rules on double-out and the bullseye.
- Red Dragon darts rules on finishing on a double and bull counting as double 25.
- Darts Checkout Assistant routes for 161-170.
- Darts501 checkout chart reference.
- Dartshopper 501 rules and checkout guide.
Bottom line
The hardest standard checkout in darts is 170 if you mean the highest legal finish: T20, T20, bull. It is difficult because it combines the biggest possible total, a bull finish and very little recovery after an early miss. Other finishes can feel awkward, but 170 remains the benchmark because it is the ceiling.
Visual guide: how to apply this at the board
FAQ
What is the route for 170 in darts?
The standard route is treble 20, treble 20, bull.
Why is 170 called the big fish?
It is darts slang for the biggest possible checkout.
Can you checkout 171 in darts?
No. Under standard double-out rules, 170 is the highest three-dart checkout.
Is 167 harder than 170?
167 can feel harder for some players because it requires a switch, but 170 is the highest and most famous standard checkout.
