A bogey number is a number you can never check out when you only have a certain number of darts to throw. In a typical dart game, a player can only check out when he has less than four darts.
When it comes to finishing, being able to get those bogeys is the key to scoring more points in darts. So, what does a bogey number mean in darts?
What is a Bogey Number in Darts? Read this article and learn how to avoid Bogeys and have an easier time leaving a positive checkout. This will improve your odds of winning a game.
The great Bobby George was right: doubles for the show, trebles for dough! In other words: Players might want to keep in mind that most players are often familiar with Checkout options available but are likely unaware that they may inadvertently end up with a bogey number.
What Is a Bogey Number in Darts?
A bogey number is a number you cannot finish or check out depending on the number of darts you have left to throw on a single round. The bogey numbers can either be with 1, 2, or 3 darts. It is well known to professional players that these numbers can lead to pitfalls, so they will make sure to avoid them at all costs.
Even a skilled player will see a higher percentage of bogeys. If the game is high scoring or he/she has a bad break. It is more common for a beginner to have too many bogeys because of poor execution of throws.
The bogey number is determined by how many darts are used: four, five, six, and more. It tends to be mentioned more frequently with 1,2, or 3 darts due to the wide variation in possible scoring with those darts. Counting up to eight darts, there are 77 numbers.
Bogey Numbers with 1 Dart
These numbers can’t be checked out with one dart.
That’s because you’re allowed to score a maximum of 50 points in your first round, so once you’ve reached that score, it no longer affects the outcome.
Below is therefore a list of bogey numbers that cannot be used to check out with 1 dart, and so they are considered bogey numbers.
49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41.
39, 37, 35, 33, 31, 29, 27, 25, 23.
21, 19, 17, 15, 13, 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, 1
Bogey Numbers with 2 Darts
As the number of options increases, the number of bogeys decreases.
You cannot complete a number sequence using one dart, but with 2 darts, you can score with one of your darts on a number ending in an odd number leaving an even number for the second dart.
So here are 2 dart bogey numbers:
109, 108, 106, 105, 103, 102, 99
For example, if you have 101 remaining with 2 darts you can hit a treble (51 points) and checkout on the bull (50 points) but if you have 102 remaining you can’t checkout with 2 darts.
If your target score is 42, the highest score you can achieve is the treble 20 (60 points).
Bogey Numbers with 3 Dart
The bogey numbers start below 170 since it is the biggest check out with 3 darts.
Here are the 3 bogey numbers:
The list includes 159 to 169.
It’s important to remember that although bogeys might seem insignificant at first glance, it’s essential to remember that once you hit one of them you immediately give your opponents more darts.
You’ll never be able to finish on a bogey number (either with 1, 2, or 3 darts), so you’ll forfeit the current throw and give your opponent an opportunity to either checkout on their own or leave themselves on a finish for the next throw.
For this reason, if you avoid hitting those bogeys, you increase your chances of checking out faster.
Conclusion
Bogey number 170 is the highest possible finish. Three darts have not been used to test scores 169, 168, 166, 165, 163, 162, and 159, which are all below 170. The numbers are called “Bogey Numbers”.
If you want to get good at darts, you’ll need to know the different bogeys so that you can avoid them when they occur.
You will have a much lower chance of winning the game if you leave yourself on a “bogey” number when you’re in the lead. A few extra darts will be needed to leave a finish and lower your score.
If you have a score of 42 and throw for a single two, but miss with your throw, you will always leave a double twenty leaving your opponent on 25. It’s in your best interest to throw a dart that is double twenty to give yourself the lead.
Therefore, learn the above bogey numbers and avoid them at all times once you finish with a 3, 2, or one dart. By avoiding bogeys, you will surely improve your win percentage. As a result of reading this and feeling more confident now that you know how to avoid bogey numbers, you might also want to check out: Why don’t dart players go for bullseye.
If you are not careful, it will affect your results.