A 9-darter is the perfect finish in darts — completing a game of 501 in exactly 9 darts, the theoretical minimum. Each player throws 3 darts per turn, so a 9-darter means three perfect turns of 180, 180, and a 141 checkout. It is one of the rarest and most celebrated achievements in darts.
Why 9 Darts is the Minimum
In 501, each player starts at 501 points and must reach exactly zero, finishing on a double. The maximum score from three darts is 180 (three treble 20s). Two turns of 180 reduce the score to 141. The minimum darts needed to finish is therefore 9: two turns of three darts (180 each) plus one final turn of three darts to check out 141.
The 141 checkout — the final turn in a perfect 9-darter — must be completed with three darts and end on a double. The most common route is: T20 (60) + T19 (57) + D12 (24) = 141.
How a 9-Darter is Scored
| Turn | Darts thrown | Score | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | T20 + T20 + T20 | 180 | 321 |
| 2 | T20 + T20 + T20 | 180 | 141 |
| 3 | T20 + T19 + D12 | 141 | 0 ✓ |
Other valid 141 checkouts exist: T17 + T18 + D18 (51+54+36) or T20 + T15 + D18 (60+45+36). The choice depends on the player's preferred scoring routes.
Famous 9-Darters
The first televised 9-darter was achieved by John Lowe at the 1984 World Matchplay — a feat that earned him £102,000, a remarkable sum at the time. Since then, several legends of the sport have joined the club:
- Phil Taylor — achieved multiple 9-darters including a famous one at the 2010 World Grand Prix
- Adrian Lewis — landed a 9-darter at the 2011 PDC World Championship
- Gary Anderson — achieved one at the 2015 PDC World Championship
- Michael van Gerwen — has achieved multiple 9-darters in major televised events
Why It's So Difficult
Even professional darts players rarely achieve a 9-darter. Every single dart must land in a tiny scoring segment under pressure. Missing a single T20 in turns 1 or 2 breaks the run immediately. The pressure increases with each dart — knowing you are on course for a 9-darter is itself one of the greatest mental challenges in sport.
Track Your Checkout with 9Darter
While a 9-darter is a lifelong ambition for most players, 9Darter helps you track every game and recognises when your checkout approach puts you on a perfect scoring path. Automatic checkout suggestions and running score tracking let you focus entirely on your throw — and maybe, one day, your first 9-darter.