Best Books on Darts, in Reading Order
This curriculum takes a complete beginner from the very basics of darts — how to stand, grip, and throw — through scoring systems and checkout routes, into structured practice drills, and finally into the mental and competitive edge needed to perform under pressure. Each stage builds directly on the last: you must own your technique before drilling it, and you must drill consistently before the mental game becomes meaningful.
Foundations: Stance, Grip & Throw
BeginnerUnderstand and establish the core physical fundamentals — a repeatable stance, a confident grip, and a consistent throwing motion — so every subsequent practice has a solid technical base.
▸ Study plan for this stage
Pace: 2–3 weeks, ~15–20 pages/day (focus on foundational chapters on grip, stance, and throwing mechanics; re-read technical sections as needed)
- Proper stance positioning and weight distribution for stability and repeatability
- Grip techniques and how hand position affects throw accuracy and control
- The throwing motion mechanics: arm angle, release point, and follow-through
- Consistency as the foundation of improvement in darts
- How body alignment (feet, shoulders, elbow) creates a repeatable throwing platform
- The relationship between relaxation and precision in the throwing action
- What are the key elements of a proper darts stance, and why is weight distribution important?
- How does grip pressure affect your throw, and what grip style does Chaplin recommend for beginners?
- Describe the complete throwing motion from setup through follow-through.
- Why is consistency more important than raw power when learning darts fundamentals?
- How do your feet, shoulders, and elbow alignment work together to create a repeatable throw?
- What common mistakes in stance, grip, or throw does Chaplin identify, and how do you correct them?
- Stand at the oche (throw line) and practice the stance 20 times daily without throwing, focusing on weight distribution and balance.
- Practice grip transitions: hold a dart with different grip pressures and note how each feels; throw 10 darts with each to identify your most comfortable and accurate grip.
- Throw 50 darts daily while recording video of your side profile; compare your arm angle and release point across throws to identify inconsistencies.
- Perform 'shadow throws' (no dart release) 30 times to internalize the throwing motion without the pressure of hitting a target.
- Keep a practice journal noting your stance setup, grip adjustment, and throw feel for each session; identify patterns in your best throws.
- Practice the complete sequence (stance → grip → throw → follow-through) in slow motion 15 times, pausing between each phase to verify alignment.
Next up: Mastering these physical fundamentals creates the repeatable technical base needed to move into the next stage, where you'll learn aiming strategies and how to adjust your established stance and throw to hit specific targets consistently.
Patrick Chaplin is the world's foremost darts historian and educator; this accessible introduction covers equipment, stance, grip, and throw in plain language, making it the perfect first read for a complete beginner.
Scoring, Checkouts & Game Knowledge
BeginnerMaster the scoring system, learn the standard 501/301 formats, and memorise the key checkout routes so you can play a real game intelligently and finish legs efficiently.
▸ Study plan for this stage
Pace: 6–8 weeks total: Weeks 1–3 cover "The Darts Bible" by Patrick Chaplin (~20–25 pages/day, focusing on scoring rules, game formats, and checkout tables); Weeks 4–6 shift to "Darts: The Complete Book of the Sport" by Derek Brown (~20 pages/day, reinforcing and expanding on game variants and strategic c
- The dartboard layout: numbered segments 1–20, the bullseye (50) and bull (25), doubles ring, and trebles ring — as explained in The Darts Bible
- How scoring works: adding up segment values, the multiplying effect of the doubles and trebles rings, and how to read a score accurately after each throw
- The 501 game format: both players start at 501, must reach exactly zero, and must finish on a double (double-out rule) — covered in depth in The Darts Bible
- The 301 game format: a shorter variant requiring a double to start (double-in) as well as a double to finish, as detailed in Derek Brown's Complete Book of the Sport
- Bust rules: going below zero, landing on zero without a double, or leaving a score of 1 all result in a bust and the score reverts — a critical rule in both books
- Key checkout routes: the standard finishes from 170 down to 2, with priority memorisation of the 'big finishes' (170, 167, 164, 161, 160) and the most common two- and three-dart checkouts (e.g. 40 = D20, 32 = D16, 36 = D18) as tabulated in Derek Brown's book
- The concept of 'leaving a good number': strategic scoring to set up a preferred double on the next visit, a theme developed across both books
- Leg, set, and match structure: understanding how individual legs combine into sets and matches in competitive play, as outlined in Derek Brown's Complete Book of the Sport
- After three darts land in treble-20, single-5, and double-16, what is the total score for that visit, and what does it reduce a starting score of 501 to?
- A player is on 170 — what is the only possible three-dart checkout, and why is it the maximum finish in 501?
- What is the difference between a double-out and a double-in/double-out rule, and which game formats use each?
- A player needs 32 to win but throws a single 16 first — what double must they now hit, and what happens if they accidentally score a single 8 instead?
- Why is leaving an odd number above 1 considered a strategic problem, and how should a player adjust their scoring target to correct it?
- According to Derek Brown's Complete Book of the Sport, how is a match typically structured in terms of legs and sets, and how does this differ from a casual pub game of 501?
- Board familiarisation drill: stand at the oche and, without throwing, point to and name every segment called out by a partner or timer for 5 minutes — use The Darts Bible's board diagram as your reference sheet until you no longer need it
- Checkout card creation: after reading the checkout tables in both books, hand-write a personal reference card listing every checkout from 170 down to 2; then cover it and try to recall the route for 20 randomly chosen numbers, checking yourself against the card
- Solo 501 legs with a scoring log: play complete legs of 501 against yourself, writing down every score and running total; focus on identifying when you are on an odd number and practising the adjustment shot described in The Darts Bible
- Double practice ladder: spend 15 minutes per session throwing only at doubles, starting at D1 and working up to D20 then the bull; record how many attempts each double takes — this directly trains the checkout execution both books emphasise
- Bust scenario simulation: set yourself artificially at scores of 3, 1, and 170+ and practise the decision-making (which target to aim for, what constitutes a bust) to internalise the bust rules from both books
- Teach-back exercise: explain the full rules of a 501 leg — including bust rules, double-out, and a sample three-dart checkout — out loud to a friend or record yourself; use The Darts Bible and Derek Brown's book as your fact-check sources afterward
Next up: Mastering the scoring system, game formats, and checkout routes gives you the numerical fluency and game awareness needed to move into the next stage, where the focus shifts from knowing *what* to hit to developing the consistent throwing technique and practice routines required to actually hit it.
Chaplin's comprehensive reference covers all game formats, scoring rules, and a thorough breakdown of checkout combinations — an essential desk reference once you can reliably hit the board.
This widely-used guide dedicates substantial space to checkout charts, around-the-clock variants, and game strategy, giving the learner a practical scoring toolkit to use immediately at the oche.
The Mental Game & Competing at the Oche
ExpertDevelop the psychological resilience, pre-throw routine, focus under pressure, and competitive mindset that separate technically sound players from consistent winners.
▸ Study plan for this stage
Pace: 4–5 weeks, ~40–50 pages/day (approximately 280–350 pages total across three books)
- Self 1 vs. Self 2: The distinction between the analytical/judgmental mind and the intuitive/performing mind, and how to quiet Self 1 interference during competition
- The role of deliberate practice and 10,000-hour principle in building automaticity, allowing the conscious mind to focus on strategy rather than mechanics
- Pre-throw routine as a psychological anchor: how consistent rituals manage anxiety, build confidence, and create reproducibility under pressure
- Pressure as information: reframing competitive stress as a sign of importance rather than a threat, and using it to sharpen focus
- The champion's mindset: growth orientation, resilience after failure, emotional regulation, and the ability to stay process-focused rather than outcome-focused
- Flow state and optimal arousal: understanding the conditions that enable peak performance and how to recognize and recreate them
- Mental toughness through visualization, self-talk, and pre-competition preparation: concrete techniques to manage the mental demands of the oche
- What is the difference between Self 1 and Self 2 in Gallwey's model, and how does this distinction apply to your throwing mechanics at the oche?
- According to Syed, how does the 10,000-hour principle and deliberate practice relate to developing automaticity in darts, and why is this crucial for competing under pressure?
- Describe a pre-throw routine that incorporates principles from all three books. What psychological functions does each element serve?
- How can you reframe pressure and competitive anxiety as a positive signal rather than a threat, and what specific mental techniques support this shift?
- What does Afremow identify as the key differences between technically skilled players and mentally tough champions, and how do you cultivate that difference?
- How do visualization and self-talk techniques from 'The Champion's Mind' complement the intuitive, interference-free performance described in 'The Inner Game of Tennis'?
- Design and document your personal pre-throw routine (30–60 seconds) incorporating a breathing technique, a physical anchor, and a positive self-talk cue. Practice it daily for two weeks in low-pressure settings, then in competitive matches.
- Record yourself throwing 20 darts in a relaxed setting and 20 darts in a high-pressure scenario (e.g., playing for money or a significant match). Review video and journal on how Self 1 interference manifests and where you lost focus.
- Conduct a 'deliberate practice' session: identify one specific weakness (e.g., finishing, doubles), isolate it, and practice it for 30 minutes with full concentration and immediate feedback. Repeat 3–4 times per week for three weeks.
- Create a 'pressure simulation' training: play practice matches where you set artificial stakes (e.g., 'lose this leg, do 20 push-ups'). Track your mental state and performance metrics before, during, and after.
- Write a personal 'champion's manifesto': 5–7 statements about your competitive identity, how you respond to setbacks, and what you're committed to regardless of outcome. Review it before every match for two weeks.
- Practice a 5-minute pre-match visualization: close your eyes and mentally rehearse a complete match scenario—opponent, pressure moments, recovery from mistakes, and winning. Do this 3–4 times per week.
Next up: This stage transforms you from a technically competent player into a mentally resilient competitor, equipping you with the psychological tools and mindset to perform consistently under pressure—the foundation upon which the next stage will build advanced tactical decision-making, match strategy, and opponent analysis.
Though written for tennis, this landmark sports-psychology classic — widely recommended by darts coaches — teaches the Self 1 / Self 2 framework for quieting mental interference and trusting muscle memory, directly applicable to the repetitive, pressure-filled throw.
Syed's exploration of deliberate practice and the growth mindset (drawing on his own table-tennis career) gives the serious darts player a science-backed philosophy for long-term development and handling competitive setbacks.
A practical sports-psychology manual used by elite athletes across disciplines, this book provides concrete pre-performance routines, focus techniques, and resilience strategies that translate directly to match-play darts.
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