Double 17 finishes (D17, 34)

Why double 17 is an awkward finish

double 17 (34) is one of the less-favoured doubles to aim for. The problem is the miss: slip into the single 17 and you are left on an odd number, which you cannot halve — you have to throw a single first to bring it back to an even double. Good players avoid leaving 34 when a clean even number is on offer instead.

If you miss D17

Slip inside the wire to the single 17 and you are left on 17, an odd number you must split first — a single 1 leaves 16 (double 8). Miss outside the wire and you stay on 34.

Tips for hitting D17

• Aim just below the wire so a dart that drops still lands in the double, not above it in the single.
• Throw at the same pace as your scoring darts — don't "guide" the finish.
• Know your miss: a slipped D17 leaves 17, so you already know your next dart before you throw.