Double 9 finishes (D9, 18)

Why double 9 is an awkward finish

double 9 (18) is one of the less-favoured doubles to aim for. The problem is the miss: slip into the single 9 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 18 when a clean even number is on offer instead.

If you miss D9

Slip inside the wire to the single 9 and you are left on 9, an odd number you must split first — a single 1 leaves 8 (double 4). Miss outside the wire and you stay on 18.

Tips for hitting D9

• 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 D9 leaves 9, so you already know your next dart before you throw.