Big Fish

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The Big Fish is the holy grail of checkouts. At 170, it's the highest possible finish in darts: treble 20, treble 20, bullseye. Landing this in a competitive match is one of the rarest and most celebrated achievements in the sport. Even at the professional level, it happens only a handful of times per season across all televised events. What makes the Big Fish so difficult isn't just that you need three perfect darts. The first two need to hit the small treble 20 bed, and then you need to completely shift your aim downward to the bullseye — a totally different target at a different height. Most checkout combinations stay in roughly the same area of the board, but 170 forces this dramatic change of focus. In televised darts, a 170 checkout earns a special bonus and always makes the highlight reel. The crowd goes absolutely wild. Phil Taylor, the greatest player of all time, was famously clinical at 170 finishes. Michael van Gerwen has also produced some stunning Big Fish moments under enormous pressure. For club players, even having a shot at 170 is exciting. Most won't convert it, but the attempt itself is memorable. If you're ever on 170 with three darts in hand, commit fully to the treble 20 — don't play safe. This is a moment to go for glory. Hit the first treble, and suddenly the crowd is paying attention. Hit the second, and the room goes quiet. Sink the bull, and you've got a story for life.