Scoring · 2 min read
When to switch to treble 19
When and why to switch from treble 20 to treble 19: blocked trebles, miss patterns, and what each segment scores when you miss.
Treble 20 is worth the most, but it isn't always the best target. Knowing when to move to treble 19 can save you points.
When your darts are blocking the treble
If your first two darts are sitting in or across the treble 20, your third dart may bounce off them or deflect into the 1 or 5. Switching to treble 19 gives your last dart a clear target. This is the most common reason professionals switch.
When you keep missing left
Around the 20, the neighbours are 5 and 1. Around the 19, they are 7 and 3. A dart that misses the 20 bed to the left lands in 5. A dart that misses the 19 bed lands in 7 or 3, which isn't much better. The real gain is that the single 19 is almost as good as the single 20, so if your throw drifts slightly, a group in the 19 bed still scores well.
When the 20 isn't going in
Sometimes your rhythm on the 20 just isn't there. A change of target can reset your focus. Some players switch for a whole visit, others for one dart.
When you need a specific score
Treble 19 is often the right setup dart for checkouts. 141, for example, is treble 20, treble 19, double 12. Odd numbers sometimes need an odd treble too.
Practise both
Spend some of every scoring session on treble 19 so the switch feels natural in a match. Try five visits at 20 and five at 19 in the scoring practice drill and compare your averages.