Maxine Salas 
In the world of soft-tip darts, accuracy is only part of success. The real skill comes when a player manages to close out the game using optimal finishing routes, known as out-charts. These are not just charts, but strategic maps that allow you to bring the score to zero with the greatest efficiency.
Unlike classic steel-tip, soft-tip often utilizes open out or master out formats, where you can finish not only with a double sector, but also through Bull or even triple zones. This makes the approach to out charts more flexible – but also more complex.
In this article, we’ll break down the tried-and-true paths to a winning finish, from safe and easy routes to risky but powerful high outs. We’ll also look at how intuition, practice, and understanding the “traps” can make you noticeably stronger at the board.
Ready to pump up your finish? Then let’s go!
Simplicity and control
Bottom line: Strive to simplify combinations – so that even if you miss, there is still a chance to get out.
Examples:
- 68 points → target “18”, “Bull”. Hitting 18 (or triple digits) leaves e.g. 50 or 68 – 18 – 25 = 25, allowing an exit on the next shot.
- 119 points → “19, Bull, Bull.” Even if the second Bull misses, you can try a third – there remains a chance of a minimum exit.
Why it works: Simple routes reduce psychological pressure and avoid mixed-up scoring.
High outs (≈124 points): Bull-first vs T20-first options
Bull-Bull-D12
- The first target is Bull (50). Even if you fall past it, there is still a weak miss (like 1 or 2), but a second Bull will still entail a handy D12.
- High percentage of departures due to spare moves.
T20-route.
- First target is T20 (60) → remaining ~64 points → can be finished off with e.g. T18 + Bull.
- Advantages: high probability of hitting a three, especially for experienced shooters.
- Disadvantage: a miss in T20 can leave an embarrassing number (excessive singles), making it difficult to get out.
Conclusion: The choice depends on confidence: if you consistently hit threes, go T20; otherwise, the safe route is through Bull.
Odd-outs in open-out formats (e.g. 43, 73 points)
In open-out soft-tip shots do not require doubles, allowing for more “varied” routes.
- At 43 points, you can go not to D20 + S3 but to T11 (33) → 10 points left, you can close via Single 10.
Intuitive and contextual approach – learning patterns
- Implemented through practice rather than blind memorization of cards.
- Hint: start memorizing frequently occurring residues – 68, 88, 124.
- Gradually develop “muscle memory” and intuitive choice, and throwing to the right zone becomes almost automatic.
Avoid bogey numbers – avoid “traps”
Some combinations have no way out even through Bull, called bogey numbers:
- Examples: 169, 166, 162, etc.
- It is important to recognize them in advance to avoid being trapped.
Tip: drop the number immediately or change your plan to avoid these areas.
Practice is more important than charts
- Checkout charts are only a guide.
- Real progress is made through regular practice of specific rests: 80-140 are the most frequent points.
- Working on accuracy, pressure resistance and monitoring the “remainders” is the basic key to success.
Let’s summarize the pattern of each item
- Simplicity
Try to choose simple and intuitive targets, especially with balances around 50-80 points. Such routes reduce risk and psychological stress, especially at critical points in the game. The simpler the target, the easier it is to focus and maintain control.
- High outs
With high remainders, such as 124, it is important to choose between Bull-first and T20-first strategies. The former gives you more margin by hitting Bull consistently, the latter allows you to cut points faster but requires high accuracy. The choice between the two is a balance between stability and aggressive attack.
- Odd-outs
Use triples (e.g. T11, T13, etc.) in situations with odd-outs or open-out rules. This gives you more flexibility: even if you don’t hit accurately, you have a better chance of staying in a winning position than if you try to hit a double right away.
- intuitiveness
It is better not to learn tables by heart, but to memorize repetitive patterns: for example, what to do at 68, 88, 95 points, etc. With practice comes muscle memory, and you will automatically choose the best routes without unnecessary analysis.
- Bogey exits
Avoid so-called “bogey numbers” (169, 166, 163, etc.) from which it is impossible to get out in three shots. Timely recognition of these situations helps not to get “stuck” on them and not to lose momentum.
- Practice
Practice regularly on the most common rests – especially in the 80-140 point range. This will help consolidate the skill, build stability and increase the percentage of successful finishes in the game.
