Percentage Finishing
The thoughtful player
By Greg Clegg

Why have this discussion?
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the opportunities that we have to win games, and don’t take them.
Percentage finishing is something that I have been talking about for more than twenty years. I have taught the concept to many young players and assumed that it was a well known and a well resourced topic. I was completely surprised when told that it was not as well known as I thought. It then prompted me to research the topic a little more. Once again, very little information. I then began to look for the knowledge base around me and actually thought that perhaps it was so common that there was no need for publications and research. I also found this to be untrue. It would appear that whilst people may know of the concept that they are not well versed in its use. Hence my motivation to write about it.
For me Percentage finishing is giving yourself the absolute maximum chance of winning a game. This means ensuring, to the best of your ability, that your last dart is at a double. Sounds easy doesn’t it.
How does it work?
Ok lets start with the obvious. For some time we have been advocating for the use of the Bull as an option in pegging. Eg on 132 you would have your first dart at the bullseye. This would leave 82 which gives options of another Bull for 32 or 42 double 20. However, should you miss the Bull and hit a 25, then you still have the option of hitting triple 19 for the bull and a finish. This is the only option where a miss can still provide you with an option to finish.
The use of the Bullseye is also recognised with pegs such as 93. If you shoot for the triple 19 and miss, leaving 74 you must hit another triple to have a shot at a double. If you go for the Bull, hit or miss you only need a single number to leave a double with your last dart. Eg 50 leave 43, multiple options to leave a double. A 25 leaves 68 and the option to go single 18, Bullseye for a finish and a win in the leg. This applies to several combinations in the 90’s as well.

More than one option!
Ok so we have got you thinking. What other options are available to you? We have looked at a couple of the more common shots and we know about the more likely shots to be left on eg 122 and 126, both requiring a triple-single shot to leave the Bull. But what about less likely opportunities such as the peg 104. For most it is a simple T18 S18 D16. The danger here is if you hit the triple first and shoot for the single, you may hit a second triple and busting on that score. It is a danger that we have all lived through before now.
However, there are options that allow us to put the percentage finishing theory into practice with little danger. For instance, if we look at 104, the 16’s are a viable option. Triple 16 single 16 leave double 20. This also allows you to have two darts at the same triple if you miss with your first dart. It also permits you to hit the triple twice and not bust leaving 8. There is also the added bonus that if you hit a triple 8 or even a single 8, you can still peg in two darts as it has not changed the strategy drastically. I have had much success with this particular method.

Other options include using a shot at the same triple include 108. This is more popular because of the location of the numbers required. 108 can be achieved in several ways, however triple 19, single 19 double 16 is a popular method. Primarily because you get a second shot at the same number for the triple. If you miss triple 19 with your first dart you get a second shot to leave 32. To location of double 16 at the same height as triple 19 gives you the least amount of adjustment to complete the shot and hit the double. Definitely a tried and proven method.

Location

Newcastle