Double 5 finishes (D5, 10)

Why double 5 is an awkward finish

double 5 (10) is one of the less-favoured doubles to aim for. The problem is the miss: slip into the single 5 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 10 when a clean even number is on offer instead.

If you miss D5

Slip inside the wire to the single 5 and you are left on 5, an odd number you must split first — a single 1 leaves 4 (double 2). Miss outside the wire and you stay on 10.

Tips for hitting D5

• 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 D5 leaves 5, so you already know your next dart before you throw.