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Random throwing isn’t practice, it’s just throwing. If you want to genuinely improve at darts, you need structured practice routines that target your weaknesses, build your strengths, and track your progress over time.
The good news is that even 20-30 minutes of focused, deliberate practice is worth far more than an hour of aimless throwing.
This guide covers the best darts practice routines and drills to help you improve fast, whether you’re a complete beginner reading Throw For 180 for the first time or a seasoned pub league player looking to step up.
Why Darts Practice Routines Matter
Deliberate practice, with specific targets, measurable outcomes, and conscious attention to technique, is far more effective than volume alone.
Professional players don’t just throw at the treble 20 for three hours. They work through structured routines that address every aspect of the game: scoring, finishing, consistency, and mental resilience.
The Best Darts Practice Routines
Ready to write down some of the best darts practice routines and start implementing them into your play? Here’s a look at some of the best.
1. The Treble 20 Drill
The foundation of all scoring practice. Throw 20 visits (60 darts) at treble 20 and record your hit rate. Count how many times your dart lands in the treble 20 segment itself (not just the single).
A beginner might hit 5-8 trebles out of 60 darts. An intermediate player should aim for 15-20. Advanced players target 25+. Track this number every session and watch it climb over time.
2. Around the Clock
Hit every number from 1 to 20 in order, finishing on the bullseye. Count the total darts thrown.
This game develops accuracy across the whole board rather than just the top.
For more detail, see our full guide on how to play round the clock darts.
3. The Doubles Drill
Work through all 20 doubles in order, double 1 through to double 20. Allow yourself six darts at each double (two visits).
Record how many doubles you hit out of a possible 20. This is the single most important practice drill for improving your checkout percentage.
Most beginners hit 4-6 out of 20. Intermediate players should target 8-12. Getting above 15 out of 20 puts you in very strong territory.
4. The Shanghai Drill
Pick a number (start with 20) and try to hit a single, double, and treble of that number in a single visit (three darts). This is called a Shanghai. Work through numbers 1 to 20.
This drill develops versatility and accuracy on every part of the board.
5. The 501 Simulation
Play full games of 501 against yourself, but with a rule: you must finish on a planned checkout.
When you reach a finishing score, write down the checkout route before you throw. This forces you to think about your finish rather than just throwing at doubles blindly.
Track how many darts it takes you to finish each leg.
6. The Bob’s 27 Drill
Start with 27 points. Throw at double 1. If you hit it, add 2 to your score (double 1 = 2). If you miss, subtract 2. Then move to double 2, add 4 if you hit, subtract 4 if you miss. Continue through all doubles.
Finishing the drill with a positive score is the aim. This is one of the most challenging and rewarding doubles drills available, professional players use it regularly.
How to Structure a Practice Session
A good 30-minute practice session might look like this:
- 5 minutes: Warm-up — casual throwing to get your eye in
- 10 minutes: Treble 20 drill — focused scoring practice
- 10 minutes: Doubles drill — checkout development
- 5 minutes: 501 simulation — match practice
Record your scores from each drill in a notebook or app. Tracking progress is what turns practice into improvement.
Darts Practice Routines: Tips That Actually Work
Quality beats quantity. Twenty minutes of focused practice beats an hour of mindless throwing.
Always have a target before you throw, know exactly what you’re aiming for before your arm goes back.
Take breaks, your concentration and accuracy drop after 30-40 minutes of intense practice. And practice your weaknesses, not your strengths.
It’s more fun to throw at treble 20 all evening, but if your doubles are costing you matches, doubles practice will improve your game faster.
Final Thoughts
The players who improve fastest at darts are the ones who practice with purpose and using darts practice routines like these listed on this page will do that.
Even one focused practice session a week will produce noticeable improvements over months.
For more advice on improving your game, see our guide on how to improve your darts average and browse our full darts tips section.