In darts, the “Big Fish” refers to the highest possible checkout you can hit — a score of 170.
Here’s what that means:
- A checkout is when you finish a leg by reaching exactly zero from your remaining score.
- 170 is the biggest number you can check out because you must finish on a double, and it’s not possible to finish higher than 170 with three darts.
The “Big Fish” combination:
- Treble 20 (60)
- Treble 20 (60)
- Bullseye (50)
60 + 60 + 50 = 170
So when a commentator such as Wayne Mardle yell “He’s going for the Big Fish!”, it means the player is attempting that 170 finish — and if they hit it, it’s a massive crowd-pleaser and one of the most impressive checkouts in darts.
Watch the best Big Fish finishes in darts
Watch every ‘big’ fish finish in the 2025 BetMGM Premier League. Warning, you will hear some very excited commentators.
Credit: @OfficialPDC
Get tickets to see a big fish checkout in real life – only at DartsTickets.net.