Double 19 finishes (D19, 38)

Why double 19 is an awkward finish

double 19 (38) is one of the less-favoured doubles to aim for. The problem is the miss: slip into the single 19 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 38 when a clean even number is on offer instead.

If you miss D19

Slip inside the wire to the single 19 and you are left on 19, an odd number you must split first — a single 1 leaves 18 (double 9). Miss outside the wire and you stay on 38.

Tips for hitting D19

• 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 D19 leaves 19, so you already know your next dart before you throw.