Double top

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Double top — double 20, scoring 40 points — sits at the very peak of the dartboard and is the single most iconic finishing target in darts. When you hear "he needs tops to win it," it means the player needs D20, and every darts fan knows exactly what that means. D20 is the default checkout double for many players. If you're on 40, you go tops. It's the natural choice because the 20 segment is at the top of the board, directly in most players' line of sight. When a player has scored well and left themselves on 40, it feels like the natural conclusion — you've been aiming near the 20 all leg for scoring, and now you just need to go a little wider for the double. The popularity of D20 as a finishing double is self-reinforcing. Because players practice it the most, they hit it the most, so they continue to practice it the most. Some coaches argue that D16 is actually a better target because of the superior "cover" (miss inside to S16, leaving D8), but old habits die hard. In Finnish darts slang, D20 is called "Teemu" — a nickname that's uniquely Finnish and adds personality to the game. Calling out "Teemu!" when a player needs double top is part of the culture in Finnish darts clubs and leagues. The origin likely comes from the number 20 and its association with the name. A practical checkout note: when you're on 40 and miss D20 by hitting single 20, you're left on 20 (D10). That's still a very manageable finish, which is another reason D20 is a popular target.