In the high-octane arena of professional darts, where every throw can swing the momentum of a leg and echo through the roar of the crowd, few skills define a champion more than the checkout. It’s that heart-pounding final visit to the oche—the moment when a player, armed with three darts, stares down a score between 1 and 170, aiming to pin it to zero with a double or the bullseye. The highest possible checkout, the legendary 170—two treble 20s followed by a bullseye—remains the “Big Fish” that separates the elite from the aspirants. But beyond the glamour of those rare spectacles lies a deeper story: the cold, hard data on who truly excels at closing out legs under pressure. Drawing from years of tournament records, player stats, and performance analytics, this ranking unveils the darts world’s most clinical finishers, measured by their checkout success rates. It’s not just about power scoring or flashy 180s; it’s about the unflinching accuracy that turns potential into victory.
At the pinnacle of this data-driven hierarchy sits Michael van Gerwen, the Dutch dynamo whose checkout prowess has long been the stuff of legend. Known as “Mighty Mike,” van Gerwen boasts an astonishing 8% success rate on 170 attempts, a figure that dwarfs his peers. Over more than 500 such high-stakes shots, he’s landed over three times as many “Big Fish” as anyone else, according to PDC records from recent seasons. “With three darts to clean up a missed bullseye, the world number one can win a leg about as often as most other players would given three clear darts at double,” analysts have noted, highlighting his edge even on the trickiest of finishes. Van Gerwen’s dominance extends beyond the maximum out; his overall three-dart checkout percentage hovers around 45-50% in major events, fueled by a blend of raw power and surgical precision. In the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship, for instance, he notched multiple 170s en route to deep runs, underscoring why he’s a perennial threat. His secret? A relentless focus on high-percentage routes, like the reliable treble 19-double 20 combo for 121, which he’s converted at rates exceeding 14%—the highest among players with over 200 attempts.
Hot on his heels is James Wade, the “Machine” from England, whose methodical style belies a finishing ferocity that borders on the mechanical. Wade leads the pack in high-finish volume, with an impressive 82 completions of scores over 100 in a single year alone. His 14%+ conversion rate on 121 checkouts is unmatched, a testament to his preference for the treble 19 setup. “Foremost in Wade’s finishing retinue is the 121 checkout,” experts observe. “He has completed this 11 times this year simply because he reaches this score so often in matches.” Wade’s game thrives on consistency; he rarely strays from the treble 20 bed, minimizing errors that could leave him on “bogey numbers”—those frustrating scores like 159 or 162 that can’t be finished in three darts. In the Premier League Darts 2025 season, Wade’s checkout stats shone brightly, with weekly highs that propelled him to victory in legs where opponents faltered. His 79.95% success on simple 20 checkouts nearly ties van Gerwen’s mark, proving that even the easiest doubles can be a minefield for the unprepared.
Rounding out the top tier is Gerwyn Price, the Welsh “Iceman,” whose icy composure has transformed him from a power scorer plagued by finishing woes into a checkout colossus. Price’s 31 successful finishes above 130 in one season mark him as a high-wire artist, with a conversion rate that places him second overall. “In previous years, while well served by his power scoring ability, finishing had been a weak point of his game,” commentators reflect. “As demonstrated in particular by a dominant weekend on the Players Championship tour, he appears to be well on his way to correcting that deficiency.” Price’s surge is evident in his 2025 form, where he’s eclipsed 40% overall checkout efficiency in floor tournaments, thanks to tools like DartConnect data that track every throw. His bullseye hunts are particularly lethal, converting 25s at rates that turn missed opportunities into second-chance triumphs.
Further down the ranks, but no less formidable, is Gary Anderson, the “Flying Scotsman,” whose unorthodox grip belies a checkout clinic. Anderson’s data reveals a quirky strength: his 60 checkout percentage outpaces even his 20, making two darts at double 20 deadlier than three at double 10. “Giving Anderson two darts at double 20 is more dangerous for his opponents than giving him three at double ten!” the stats proclaim. In World Championship tallies, Anderson’s highest checkouts often steal the show, with 167s and 164s landing when the pressure peaks. Then there’s Rob Cross, the “Voltage” who electrifies with 12.4% high-finish rates, and Glen Durrant, whose steady hand has vaulted him past veterans in three-dart leg wins from 99+ scores.
Delving deeper into the numbers, the 15 most common checkouts paint a vivid picture of specialization. Van Gerwen edges out on 170s, but Wade owns the 121; Price dominates 140s with treble 20-double 20 precision. For amateurs, these pros set a lofty bar—home players often hover at 10-14% overall, as shared in darts forums where enthusiasts debate the merits of around-the-clock doubles practice. “Number of darts at a double divided by number of successful darts at double is your checkout percentage,” one expert clarifies, emphasizing that only double-aimed throws count. Bogey numbers add intrigue; even legends like Phil Taylor can’t escape 169 or 163, forcing strategic busts to safer setups.
This ranking isn’t static—it’s a snapshot of evolution in a sport where data from events like the 2025 Premier League and ongoing Worlds reveals trends. Newcomers like Luke Littler, with his 170 in the 2024 final, are climbing fast, boasting rates that rival the old guard. Littler and Humphries both nailed the Big Fish in that epic showdown, proving youth’s hunger. As Prostate Cancer UK’s “BIGGER 180” campaign ties stats to charity—raising over £1m last year—these finishes transcend the board, funding vital research.
In darts’ theater of precision, checkouts are the curtain call, where data crowns the kings. Van Gerwen may lead today, but with rising stars and refining tech, tomorrow’s leaderboard promises fresh drama. For players and fans alike, it’s a reminder: in the oche’s glare, it’s not just about hitting the wire—it’s about wiring the win.
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