Double Out vs Straight Out
How you're allowed to finish is the one rule people argue about most at the board. Here's the difference, and exactly when a visit counts as a bust.
Double out
Your last dart must land in a double — the thin outer ring — or the bullseye (50, which counts as double 25), and bring you to exactly zero. This is the official rule in 501 and in almost every league.
Straight out
Any dart that brings you to exactly zero wins: a single, double, treble or bull. It's friendlier for beginners and kids, and games finish faster.
When is it a bust?
| Situation | Double out | Straight out |
|---|---|---|
| Score goes below 0 | Bust | Bust |
| Score lands on exactly 1 | Bust (no double makes 1) | Fine — keep throwing |
| Reach 0 with a single or treble | Bust | Win |
| Reach 0 with a double or bullseye | Win | Win |
After a bust your score goes back to what it was at the start of the visit, and your turn ends straight away.
Double-out examples
The last row catches a lot of people out: the outer bull (25) is a single, so it can't finish a double-out leg.
Other finishing rules
- Double in — your score only starts counting once you hit a double. Common in 301; see how to play 301.
- Master out — finish on a double or a treble. Seen on some electronic boards and apps.
Which should you play?
If you're just starting out, or playing with kids, straight out keeps the game moving. Once you can hit the board consistently, switch to double out — it's how the game is meant to be played, and the finishing pressure is half the fun. When you're there, the checkout chart tells you what to aim at.
Play it free
The free ChillDarts scorer has a double-out switch on the setup screen and flags every bust for you.