If you’re serious about improving your doubles, Bob’s 27 is the practice game you need to know. It’s brutally honest, highly addictive, and used by everyone from pub players to PDC professionals. The format exposes your weaknesses, rewards consistency, and provides a clear score you can track over time.
The name comes from the starting score: 27 points. From there, you work your way around the doubles, gaining or losing points depending on your success. Finish with a positive score and you’ve done well. Finish in the negatives, and you know exactly what needs work.
How to Play Bob’s 27
You begin with 27 points and three darts at double 1. For every double 1 you hit, you add the value of that double to your score. So hitting one double 1 adds 2 points. Hitting two adds 4. Hitting all three adds 6.
However, if you miss all three darts at double 1, you subtract the value of that double from your score. Missing completely costs you 2 points.
You then move to double 2, then double 3, and so on around the board up to double 20. The same rules apply at each number: hit at least one and you add points, miss all three and you lose points.
After double 20, you finish with the bullseye (worth 50 points). Hit one or more and you add 50 for each. Miss all three and you lose 50.
Why Bob’s 27 Works So Well
The scoring system is what makes this game so effective. Because the stakes increase as you progress, every double matters. Missing double 20 costs you 40 points. Missing the bull costs 50. These penalties add up fast and can wipe out an otherwise solid run.
This mirrors match pressure, where missing a crucial double to win a leg can cost you the set. Bob’s 27 trains you to handle that pressure in practice.
It also highlights problem areas clearly. If you consistently go negative after double 16, you know where to focus your extra attention. Over time, you can track which doubles cost you the most points and prioritise them accordingly.
What’s a Good Score?
A score of 27 or higher means you broke even, which is respectable. Scores in the 100-200 range indicate solid doubles hitting. Breaking 300 is excellent, and anything over 400 puts you in elite territory.
Going negative is common, especially early on. Many players will bust out before reaching double 10 during their first few attempts. That’s normal. The goal is improvement, not perfection.
Keeping a record of your scores over weeks or months shows your progress more clearly than any single session ever could.
Strategies and Tips
Start relaxed. The early doubles carry lower risk, so use them to find your rhythm. Don’t overthink double 1 or double 2. Settle into your throw.
Stay focused as the numbers climb. By the time you reach double 16, 18 and 20, the penalties are severe. This is where concentration matters most. Take your time and commit fully to each dart.
Accept that bad runs happen. Even professionals have days where nothing drops. What matters is coming back the next day and trying again.
Some players add variations to keep things fresh. One option is to play in reverse order, starting at double 20 and working down to double 1, finishing with the bull. This changes the pressure profile and keeps your brain engaged.
Common Mistakes
Rushing through the early doubles is a frequent error. Just because the points are low doesn’t mean those darts don’t matter. Every miss adds up, and building a buffer early gives you room for mistakes later.
Quitting after a bad start is another trap. If you bust out before double 10, resist the urge to reset immediately. Finishing the full game, even in the negatives, builds discipline and forces you to practise all 21 targets.
Ignoring the data is a missed opportunity. If you don’t write down your scores, you lose the ability to track trends. A notebook or spreadsheet makes a big difference.
Final Thoughts
Bob’s 27 is the gold standard for doubles practice. It’s simple enough to pick up in minutes but challenging enough to keep you engaged for years. The scoring system provides clear feedback, and the format mirrors the pressure of real match situations.
Play it regularly, track your scores, and watch your doubles percentage improve. When you start consistently breaking 200, you’ll know your finishing has reached a new level.
Ready to start? Try our free Bob’s 27 practice game to track your hits, misses and final scores. Once your doubles are sharp, work on your scoring with the Treble 20 Challenge to boost your three-dart average.