What Is Bob's 27?
Bob's 27 (also known simply as "27s") is a solo practice game specifically designed to develop double-hitting accuracy. It was popularised by the legendary Bob Anderson — World Darts Champion in 1988 — hence the name. The game targets doubles 1 through 20 in sequence, forcing you to hit every double on the board under consistent, accumulating pressure.
Unlike warm-up routines that only reward good throws, Bob's 27 punishes misses by deducting from your score. This makes it one of the most honest indicators of doubles consistency in darts.
Setup
Bob's 27 is a solo game. You start with a score of 27 points. No opponent, no turn limit — just you and the board, moving sequentially from double 1 to double 20. 9Darter tracks your running total automatically throughout the game.
How to Play
Each round targets one double, starting with double 1 (D1) and progressing to double 20 (D20). On each round you throw all three darts. The scoring works as follows:
- For each dart that hits the target double: add the double's value to your score. D1 is worth 2, D2 is worth 4, D5 is worth 10, D20 is worth 40, and so on.
- If you hit zero darts on the target double: subtract the double's value from your score instead.
For example, on the D5 round: if you hit two darts on D5 and miss one, you add 10 + 10 = 20 to your score. If you miss all three darts, you subtract 10 from your score.
Winning and Losing
The game ends after the D20 round. Your final score is whatever you have accumulated. There is no fixed winning score — the goal is to finish with a positive score and improve your total with each session.
If your score drops to zero or below at any point during the game, the game is over early (in the traditional rules). This is a brutal but effective motivator: miss too many doubles in the early rounds and you don't even reach D20.
Why Bob's 27 Works as Training
Most practice routines reward consistency without consequence. Bob's 27 introduces a risk-reward dynamic: every miss matters financially to your score. This mirrors the pressure of finishing in a real X01 game, where missing a checkout dart is immediately punishing. Regular Bob's 27 sessions are a proven way to tighten double accuracy under simulated pressure.
Strategy Tips
- Prioritise early doubles. D1 through D5 have small values — misses are cheap. D15 through D20 are expensive; arriving at them with a healthy score gives you breathing room.
- Three darts, three chances. Even if your first two darts miss, stay calm on the third. One hit saves you from a deduction.
- Track your sessions. Keep a log of your finishing score over time. A consistent upward trend is the true measure of improvement.
Play Bob's 27 with 9Darter
9Darter automates the Bob's 27 scoring — input how many darts you hit on each double and the app instantly updates your total, including deductions. Focus entirely on your throw rather than mental arithmetic.