How to Practice Darts at Home: Fun Games to Sharpen Your Skills
When it comes to how we practice darts, most players fall into the same trap…
… throw at treble 20, rinse and repeat. Maybe a few games of 501, perhaps the odd leg of 301 with a mate. But is that really helping you improve your overall darting game?
If you wanted to improve your football, you’d grab a pair of boots, a ball, maybe find a wall or lay out some cones. Cricket? Bat, ball and a mate. Simple. But for darts, the path to improvement isn’t as obvious.
At Throw Darts, we believe in smart, focused and fun training. Here are some go-to games and drills to take your practice to the next level, helping you improve your darts scores, shot selection, finishing, scoring and checking-out knowledge and all-round sharpness.
121 – The checkout challenge
Start on 121 and try to check out in three darts or fewer. If you succeed, go up to 122. If not, drop down to 120 and start again.
Why it works: This game is all about checkout routes, pressure handling and making sure you’ve always got a plan B. It mimics match conditions and builds muscle memory for real in-game finishes. You’ll begin to learn the different routes to take for all sorts of numbers and importantly, what works best for you.
Power scoring drills
This is all about repetition. Set a timer (10 minutes should do) and focus solely on:
- T20 for scoring,
- T19 and T18 for switching,
- or a mix to simulate awkward visit situations.
Track your scores. Try to beat your total each session.
Why it works: High scoring isn’t just about aiming at T20. Knowing when to switch and being consistent across different trebles will give you a pro-level scoring rhythm. It is how top players like Luke Littler and Luke Humphries stay ahead.
Bull & double ladder
Start aiming for the bullseye. If you miss, whatever number you land on, go for its double. If you hit bull, go again. Keep track of how long it takes to hit all the doubles (or how many you get in a set time).
Why it works: You’ll tighten up both your bullseye precision and double-hitting consistency, two of the most overlooked but vital parts of competitive darts. However, you’ll find yourself practicing less popular check-outs as missing the bull could leave you on any number. It’s all good practice though as you never know what check-out number you might find yourself on during a game!
Rock the clock
Start on double 1 and work your way clockwise around the board up to double 20. Every time you hit the correct double, move on. If you miss, stay there until you hit it.
Variation: Add a time limit to complete the round and keep a track of your times.
Why it works: This one builds accuracy and helps with board familiarity. You’ll stop fearing ‘awkward’ doubles and get comfortable wherever you land. Similarly to around the clock, you could play this competitively with friends, whoever reached double 20 first, wins!
Practice makes perfect
Don’t take it just from us, even the best in the game know that natural talent can only take you so far; consistent, focused practice is where champions are made.
Take Phil Taylor, for example, widely considered the greatest of all time. Taylor famously practised over three hours every day, including on Christmas Day, treating every session with the same intensity as a World Championship final.
And then there’s Luke Littler, the breakout star who shocked the world with his natural ability. But even he trained relentlessly during lockdown, reportedly throwing for hours and hours a day. While he now trains less, he’s quick to admit how important those hours were in building his foundation.
Luke Humphries, a major title-winner himself and current world number one, has even warned Littler that a lack of consistent practice “will come back to bite you.” So whether you’re a casual player or chasing big goals, the message is the same: practice darts!
What will these games help me improve on?
The biggest leap in your darting journey won’t come from just playing 501s over and over again. It comes from building:
- Scoring awareness – knowing when to switch and why.
- Checkout confidence – memorising routes and backups.
- Double discipline – hitting them under pressure.
- Bull mastery – especially vital in formats like the World Grand Prix or if you’re facing a tricky 50 finish.
When you practice darts with purpose, everything improves – your darts scores, consistency and even your enjoyment of the game.
Practice darts at home or at Throw Darts
You don’t need much to get started. Just a board, some space and a mindset to improve. And if you want to take it further, Throw Darts is here to help you do just that.
We offer in-store practice lanes for dialling in your setups, coached sessions through our youth Academy and self-scoring social darts for a more relaxed experience, perfect for grabbing a drink and chucking a few arrows with friends.
Darts is one of the most accessible sports in the world. You don’t need a pitch, a gym or a team, just a board and a will to get better. With these games and a little consistency, you’ll see results not just in your scores but in your understanding of the scoring for darts, your shot selection and your finishing.
So next time you walk up to the board, don’t just go for treble 20. Practice darts like the pros do.
And remember… at Throw Darts, we’re with you every throw of the way.
0 Comments