Why do darts players go for 19?

Feb 14, 202311 min read

Why darts players go for 19 featured image with darts grouped around treble 19

Darts players go for 19 because treble 19 is the highest-value cover shot when treble 20 is blocked, awkward or no longer the best percentage target. Treble 20 scores 60; treble 19 scores 57, only three points fewer.

Last reviewed: 23 August 2026. This guide is written for steel-tip players learning standard 501 scoring, cover shots and setup play.

Quick answer

Players switch to 19s when the first dart blocks treble 20, when their throw is drifting low, when 19s leave a better finish, or when the visit needs controlled recovery. It is not panic. It is percentage scoring.

Strong players read the board after each dart. If 20s are still open and the first dart is a useful marker, they may stay on 20s. If the route is poor, 19s keep the visit productive.

Treble 19 cover shot strategy showing why darts players switch from 20s to 19s — Treble 19 is only three points below treble 20, which makes it a high-value recovery target.

Why treble 19 is so valuable

The simple maths explains why 19s matter. Treble 20 is worth 60. Treble 19 is worth 57. That three-point gap is small enough that switching can save a visit when the 20 bed is blocked or uncomfortable.

A player who starts with single 20 can still score heavily by moving to 19s. Single 20, treble 19, treble 19 is 134. That is a strong recovery from a non-treble first dart. By contrast, forcing two more darts at a blocked treble 20 can turn one poor dart into a poor visit.

19s are cover shots

A cover shot is a high-value alternative used when the main target is no longer clean. In 501 scoring, treble 19 is the most important cover shot because it sits close enough in value to treble 20 to keep pressure on the opponent.

The phrase cover shot matters. It means 19s are not a consolation target. They are part of good scoring structure. Professional players use cover shots because darts is not played on a blank board; previous darts change the next dart.

When players switch from 20s to 19s

Situation	Why 19s help	Example
Blocked treble 20	The next dart has less room or a deflection risk.	Move down to T19 rather than squeezing past the marker.
Low first dart	The throw pattern may suit the lower target.	Use the same rhythm and attack 19s cleanly.
Awkward setup	19s can shape the remaining score.	Choose 19 to leave a preferred double or checkout route.
Scoring recovery	T19 keeps the visit high-value.	20, T19, T19 equals 134.
Pressure decision	A cleaner target is better than a blocked maximum target.	Protect the visit instead of chasing a forced 180.

How marker darts influence the switch

A first dart can be a marker or a blocker. A good dart just below treble 20 may guide the next dart into the bed. A dart sitting upright in the treble bed may block space and make the next dart risky.

Good players do not decide the whole visit before throwing all three darts. They read dart one, then choose dart two. If the marker helps, they stay. If it blocks, they switch. That habit separates controlled scoring from stubborn scoring.

Why low drift makes 19s attractive

Some players miss treble 20 low when the release is slightly late or the follow-through shortens. If that pattern is repeating during a visit, the 19 bed may suit the current throw line better than forcing a higher target.

This does not mean you should ignore the technical fault. In practice, work on release and follow-through. In a match, use the target that keeps the score moving. Matchplay is about managing the visit you have, not the perfect throw you wanted.

19s and checkout setup

Players also use 19s to shape finishes. Sometimes the best target is not the highest target. It is the target that leaves a preferred double, avoids a bogey number, or keeps a two-dart finish available.

For example, a player may choose 19s because the remaining score makes a single 19 or treble 19 more useful than another 20. This is why counting matters. Target choice should follow the score, not habit.

When not to switch

Do not switch to 19s automatically. If treble 20 is open and the first dart is a good marker, staying on 20s is often the strongest scoring choice. Treble 20 is still the highest single-dart score on the board.

The decision is conditional. Switch when 19s are cleaner, safer or tactically better. Stay when 20s remain the best percentage shot. The point is board reading, not replacing one automatic habit with another.

Should beginners practise 19s?

Yes. Beginners often practise 20s almost exclusively, then panic when the bed is blocked or the throw starts drifting. Short 19s practice builds board awareness and recovery scoring.

Start with big 19 before demanding treble 19. Count how many darts land in the 19 segment. Once that improves, add treble 19 blocks. The goal is to switch without losing rhythm.

Three 19s drills

20-19 alternator: throw one visit at 20s, then one visit at 19s. Repeat for 10 rounds. This teaches target switching without changing the throw.

Blocked-bed simulation: place or imagine the first dart blocking T20, then switch to 19s for darts two and three. Record how often the switch scores cleanly.

134 recovery: practise the route single 20, treble 19, treble 19. You are not trying to miss the first dart; you are learning that the visit is not dead after one single.

How 19s affect averages

Scoring averages are built from productive visits, not only maximum visits. A player who regularly turns awkward starts into 95, 99, 117 or 134 will often score better over time than a player who chases blocked 20s and collapses into low visits.

This is why 19s are common in serious play. They protect the average when the board state changes. They also stop the opponent gaining momentum from one poor first dart.

Match examples

Example one: your first dart lands in single 20 and sits upright across the lower half of treble 20. The bed is still visible, but the clean route is smaller. If you force T20 and clip the dart, the visit can die. A committed switch to T19 gives two clean darts at 57.

Example two: your first dart is low and your second dart is also dragging low. The throw pattern is telling you something. In practice, you may work on release height. In the leg, switching to 19s may suit the current line and protect the score.

Example three: you are on a score where a 19 leaves your preferred double or avoids an awkward finish. In that moment, 19 is not just a scoring cover. It is a setup target. That is why stronger players think about the remaining score before choosing the next dart.

How 19s interact with finishing

Cover shooting and finishing are connected. A player who blindly attacks 20s may leave a finish they dislike or a number that needs extra setup. A player who understands 19s can shape the leg more carefully, especially when moving from scoring into checkout range.

This matters most from around 170 down. The target choice is no longer only about the highest possible visit; it is also about what the next visit will look like. Leaving 40, 32, 24 or another preferred double can be worth more than squeezing a risky dart at a blocked target.

Beginner, improving player and league player priorities

Beginner: learn big 19 first. The main win is being able to move your eyes and throw at a new segment without changing rhythm. Do not judge the drill only by treble count.

Improving player: add treble 19 and blocked-bed practice. You should know how to recover after a poor first dart and how to keep a visit alive without rushing.

League player: practise 19s inside real scoring and setup situations. The question is not only whether you can hit T19. It is whether you know when T19 is the correct dart.

How to practise the decision, not only the target

Most players practise 19s by simply throwing at them. That helps, but it misses the tactical part. Add decision practice. Throw the first dart at 20. Before dart two, say out loud whether you are staying on 20s or switching to 19s, and why.

This forces you to read the marker instead of throwing automatically. It also makes match decisions faster. In a real leg, you do not want a long debate on the oche. You want a clear read: open bed, stay; blocked bed, switch; score route says 19, commit.

Equipment and setup checks

If your first dart regularly blocks treble 20, look at dart angle, flight setup and board condition. A steep entry angle can make the bed harder to use. Damaged flights or loose stems can also change grouping.

Use dartboards if the 20 bed is worn, darts if barrel weight or grip needs reviewing, dart sets for complete options and darts accessories for flights, stems and setup spares.

Common mistakes with 19s

Switching too late: read the first dart before the visit is already damaged.
Switching without commitment: move the eyes, commit to the target and keep the same rhythm.
Ignoring the score: 19s are useful, but the remaining score still decides the best target.
Never practising 19s: cover shots need repetition before they feel natural.
Using 19s as an excuse: fix repeated low drift in practice, even if 19s save visits in matches.

Sources used

Why switching is a skill

Going for 19 is not a panic move when it is done deliberately. It can avoid a blocked treble 20, protect a better lie, or use a player's stronger grouping on the lower-left side of the board. The key is to switch with a reason. Random switching usually shows frustration; planned switching shows board management.

Bottom line

Darts players go for 19 because treble 19 is a high-value cover shot. It keeps scoring pressure alive when treble 20 is blocked, awkward, low-drifting or tactically less useful. The best players do not abandon 20s; they read the board and choose the cleaner percentage target.