How to read the out chart

The out chart I have designed is quite large and includes a lot of options. Most out charts will give you only one option, and it was one of my goals to break with this rule. The reason is that there are many numbers that have more than one useful way to play them. I wanted to include at least all good options, together with options that are wrong but often found in common out chart tables.

An example from the out chart table:

T20 - D15 
       (20 - T20 - D5) 
       (20 - 20 - D25) 

T18 - D18 
         (18 - T20 - D6)
         (18 - T16 - D12)
         (18 - T12 - D18) 

D25 - D20 *
      (25 - 25 - D20)

* this is sometimes played, but hardly to recommend. Two darts on bull are a hazard: beginners will hardly hit 2 consecutive bulls, and expert/pros are very likely to hit a double bull with the 2nd dart, leaving no double for the 3rd. A simply stupid variation in my opinion.

In the first column of the table the out is given. In this case it is 90.

In the second column you find the possible options for the finish. The finishes are marked with green, yellow or red dots (the smileys). Some finishes are marked with an additional asterisk * or exp. mark. The asterisk are representing footnotes explained in the third column.

In the third column there are additional notes, often referring to the asterisks in the second column.

How the finish options should be read

Trebles, doubles, singles:

T20: treble 20
D20: double 20
20: single 20

or
T13: treble 13
D13: double 13
13: single 13
and so on...

a special case is the bull:
D25: bull's eye
25: single bull

so the above example is read like this:

T20 - D15 
       (20 - T20 - D5) 
       (20 - 20 - D25) 

begin with the first line: 
T20 - D15 means: first dart treble 20
                 second dart double 15
                 (no third dart given: 2-dart out shot)

The second and third line of the description explain what you have to shoot when you miss the treble with the first dart. In the above example:

(20 - T20 - D5):
You have not hit T20 with the first dart. It is supposed you have hit single 20. So the breakdown to finish 90 is in this case:

(20 - T20 - D5)    
    first dart 20
    second dart treble 20
    third dart double 5

The last line shows what to hit if you also fail to hit treble 20 with the 2nd dart:

(20 - 20 - D25)    
    first dart 20
    second dart treble 20
    third dart double 25 (bull's eye)

What the smileys are meaning

Marks the best option(s) for a specific out shot. If there are more than one "best" options then all of them are listed and marked with the green smiley.

Marks a second choice option. This is not the recommended way, but if you are completely unhappy with the green way then you should choose this. Normally a yellow second choice has an additional description why it isn't the best choice, and when you should use it. Generally you should prefer the green finishes, but the yellow second choice should at least be a playable option.

Marks a way to avoid. You shouldn't play these red options. Usually they are given in the out chart because they are common errors. Generally there is an additional description why the corresponding option is bad.

Marks an option for percentage play. Percentage play means that you sacrifice the chance to hit the out shot with your remaining darts to increase overall percentage for hitting the out with your next three darts. For instance, if you have 50 left with your last dart you can either choose to go for the bull's eye or to play "for percentage" and hit a single 18. If you go for bull's eye and leave 25 then you have less chance to hit with the next 3 darts than you have when you go for 18 and leave 32. Such a percentage play only makes sense if your opponent is not on an out shot! So choose wisely when you play a percentage option. Finishes can be marked (and often are) with a yellow or even red smiley and a percentage sign. This means that this path is not recommended for hitting the out shot with your 3 or 2 darts in hand, but to hit it with the next 3 darts is much more probable.

exp.

This means that the corresponding option should only be used by experienced (good) players. Sometimes it is the best overall option, but not recommended for beginners. Beginners should choose a different green dot option, or use a yellow second choice.

Possible combinations

Combinations are possible with percentage play:

The red smiley marks a bad option. The % sign marks a valid option for percentage play. This combination means that you should avoid this option at all costs if you have to shoot out in this turn, but you should choose this option if you have plenty of time and decide to play for percentage.

Just like the above example this means the option is second choice to go out in the same throw, but it is a good option for percentage play.

This combination (and all other possible combinations) does not exist. If the best option for a 3-dart out is also the best option for percentage play then only the green dot is given.