Straight in

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Straight in simply means that scoring begins with your very first dart — no special requirement to hit a double before you can start counting points. This is the standard format in virtually all modern competitive darts, from pub leagues to PDC World Championships. The opposite of straight in is "double in," where you must hit a double before any points count. Straight in became the dominant format because it eliminates the frustrating opening phase where players might throw several darts without scoring while trying to hit a double. It gets the game moving immediately, which is better for both players and spectators. In straight in format, strategy starts from dart one. Most players open by aiming at treble 20, trying to score as heavily as possible from the very first visit. The goal is to reduce from 501 (or 301) as efficiently as possible, since the sooner you reach a checkout number, the sooner you can attempt to finish. One subtle strategic consideration with straight in: your opening visit matters more than you think. A strong first visit (100+) puts immediate pressure on your opponent and establishes momentum. A weak first visit (under 60) can feel deflating. While it doesn't change the math much — you're only three darts in — the psychological impact of opening well is real. Straight in combined with double out is the gold standard of darts formats. It gives players the freedom to score immediately but still requires the skill of hitting a double to finish. This combination rewards both power scoring and precise finishing.