20 Greatest 9-Dart Finishes in Darts History
The 20 Greatest 9-Dart Finishes in History – Darts Perfection at Its Finest
Nine darts. Exactly 501 points. One perfect leg. In the world of professional darts, few achievements can match the excitement of a nine-dart finish. It is the ultimate demonstration of accuracy, concentration and nerves of steel, and when it happens on the biggest stages, the crowd erupts in celebration.
Over the decades, some of the greatest players in darts history have achieved this extraordinary feat. From John Lowe’s groundbreaking performance in 1984 to Michael Smith’s unforgettable World Championship final in 2023, nine-darters have produced some of the most iconic moments the sport has ever witnessed.
But not every perfect leg tells the same story. Some made history because they were the first of their kind. Others were thrown under enormous pressure, in championship finals or during matches where both players were producing unbelievable darts.
Join Wizard of Darts as we revisit 20 of the most remarkable nine-dart finishes in history, celebrating the players, tournaments and unforgettable moments that made them special.
What Is a 9-Dart Finish?
A nine-dart finish is the fastest possible way to complete a standard game of 501 under double-out rules.
The player must score exactly 501 points using nine darts, with the final dart landing in a double or the inner bullseye.
One of the most famous combinations is:
- First three darts: 180
- Second three darts: 180
- Final three darts: Treble 20, treble 19, double 12 (141)
Total: 180 + 180 + 141 = 501.
There are other possible routes, but this combination is particularly famous among professional players.
The 20 Greatest 9-Dart Finishes
1 John Lowe – The First Televised Nine-Darter
Opponent: Keith Deller
Location: Slough, England
On 13 October 1984, John Lowe changed darts history forever.
During the MFI World Matchplay, Lowe completed the first televised nine-dart finish, producing a moment that would become legendary.
After two maximum scores of 180, he finished the remaining 141 with treble 17, treble 18 and double 18.
The achievement earned him an astonishing £102,000 bonus, an enormous sum for darts at the time.
Although the finish was recorded for television rather than shown live, it introduced a wider audience to the extraordinary excitement of a perfect leg.
Without John Lowe’s achievement, the history of televised nine-darters would look very different.
2 Paul Lim – The First World Championship Nine-Darter
Opponent: Jack McKenna
Venue: Lakeside Country Club
Paul Lim became a darts legend in January 1990 when he achieved the first nine-dart finish at a World Darts Championship.
The Singaporean player completed the perfect leg during his second-round match against Jack McKenna.
At a time when nine-darters were extraordinarily rare on television, Lim’s achievement attracted enormous attention.
His performance also earned him a famous £52,000 bonus.
Remarkably, the nine-darter became one of the defining moments of Lim’s long career, and he continued competing at an impressive level for decades afterwards.
For many darts fans, Paul Lim’s perfect leg remains one of the most memorable moments in World Championship history.
3 Shaun Greatbatch – The First Live Televised Nine-Darter
Opponent: Steve Coote
On 3 February 2002, Shaun Greatbatch made history during the Dutch Open final.
His nine-dart finish against Steve Coote became the first perfect leg broadcast live on television.
Previous televised nine-darters had been recorded and shown later, making Greatbatch’s achievement a significant broadcasting milestone.
He went on to win the tournament, making the day even more special.
Greatbatch became affectionately known as the “Nine Dart Man”, a nickname that celebrated his place in darts history.
4 Phil Taylor – Perfection at the World Matchplay
Opponent: Chris Mason
Phil Taylor had already established himself as one of the greatest players in the world when he produced a spectacular nine-darter at the 2002 World Matchplay.
Playing against Chris Mason in Blackpool, Taylor completed a perfect leg in front of the television cameras.
It was the first live nine-dart finish broadcast on British television.
Taylor’s calm reaction and extraordinary precision helped establish the nine-darter as one of the biggest attractions in professional darts.
This would be far from his last encounter with perfection.
5 Raymond van Barneveld – Premier League Perfection
Opponent: Peter Manley
Raymond van Barneveld produced one of the most memorable early Premier League nine-darters in March 2006.
Facing Peter Manley, the Dutch superstar demonstrated the brilliant scoring ability that would make him a major force in professional darts.
Van Barneveld was already an established world champion, but his move into PDC competition introduced him to new audiences and rivalries.
His perfect leg was another reminder that the Dutchman could compete with the very best players in the world.
6 Michael van Gerwen – A Teenage Sensation
Opponent: Raymond van Barneveld
Long before Michael van Gerwen became one of the most dominant players in professional darts, he was already producing extraordinary performances.
In February 2007, the young Dutchman hit a televised nine-dart finish against Raymond van Barneveld at the Masters of Darts.
Van Gerwen was just 17 years old.
His achievement established him as the youngest player to hit a televised nine-darter at the time.
It was an early glimpse of the incredible talent that would later produce multiple world championship victories and countless tournament titles.
7 Raymond van Barneveld – First PDC World Championship Nine-Darter
Opponent: Jelle Klaasen
Raymond van Barneveld made history once again at the 2009 PDC World Championship.
During his quarter-final against fellow Dutchman Jelle Klaasen, Van Barneveld completed the first nine-dart finish ever recorded at the PDC World Championship.
The Alexandra Palace crowd witnessed a moment that would become part of the tournament’s history.
The perfect leg was another example of Van Barneveld’s ability to produce his best darts on the biggest stages.
8 Phil Taylor – The First Nine-Darter in the 2010 Premier League Final
Opponent: James Wade
The 2010 Premier League final produced one of the most extraordinary individual performances in darts history.
Phil Taylor faced James Wade in a high-profile final and stunned the audience by completing a nine-dart finish.
For most professional players, achieving one perfect leg in a major final would be the highlight of an entire career.
For Taylor, however, the evening was only getting started.
9 Phil Taylor – A Second Nine-Darter in the Same Match
Opponent: James Wade
As if one nine-darter was not enough, Phil Taylor achieved a second perfect leg during the same Premier League final.
It was the first time a player had completed two nine-dart finishes in a single televised match.
Taylor eventually defeated Wade 10–8 to claim the title.
The achievement remains one of the most remarkable demonstrations of scoring consistency ever witnessed in a major darts final.
Two perfect legs in one match sounds almost impossible, but Phil Taylor made it happen.
Phil Taylor’s two nine-darters against James Wade in 2010 were separate perfect legs in the same match. Even among the greatest players in history, achieving this twice in one evening is an extraordinary accomplishment.
10 Adrian Lewis – Perfection in a World Championship Final
Opponent: Gary Anderson
Adrian “Jackpot” Lewis produced one of the most famous nine-darters in history during the 2011 PDC World Championship final.
Facing Gary Anderson at Alexandra Palace, Lewis completed a perfect leg on the biggest stage in professional darts.
It was the first nine-dart finish ever achieved in a PDC World Championship final.
Lewis went on to defeat Anderson 7–5 and claim his first world title.
The combination of a perfect leg and a world championship victory made the occasion unforgettable.
11 Brendan Dolan – The First Double-Start Nine-Darter
Opponent: James Wade
The World Grand Prix is different from most professional darts tournaments because players must begin and finish each leg with a double.
That makes a nine-dart finish particularly difficult.
In October 2011, Brendan Dolan achieved the first televised nine-darter in the double-start format.
He began with a 160, followed with a 180 and completed a brilliant 161 checkout.
The final dart landed in the bullseye, completing one of the most technically impressive perfect legs in professional darts.
Dolan’s achievement earned him the nickname “The History Maker”.
12 Michael van Gerwen – World Championship Semi-Final Magic
Opponent: James Wade
Michael van Gerwen produced a breathtaking nine-darter during his 2013 World Championship semi-final against James Wade.
The Dutchman was playing some of the most exciting darts of his career and demonstrated his remarkable scoring power.
Even more astonishingly, he came close to completing another nine-darter in the following leg, missing double 12 for a second consecutive perfect leg.
Two nine-darters in consecutive legs would have been one of the most extraordinary achievements imaginable.
Although he narrowly missed the second, the performance remains one of the most spectacular displays of darts ever seen at Alexandra Palace.
13 James Wade – Double-Start Perfection
Opponent: Robert Thornton
James Wade made history during the 2014 World Grand Prix in Dublin.
Facing Robert Thornton, Wade produced a nine-dart finish under the tournament’s difficult double-start rules.
He opened with 160, followed with 180 and completed a 161 checkout.
Only Brendan Dolan had previously achieved a televised nine-darter in the format.
Wade’s achievement was remarkable, but what happened later in the match made the occasion truly historic.
14 Robert Thornton – Two Players Achieve Perfection in One Match
Opponent: James Wade
Robert Thornton responded to James Wade’s nine-darter with a perfect leg of his own.
Like Wade, the Scottish player scored 160, 180 and 161 to complete the double-start nine-darter.
It was the first time two different players had thrown nine-dart finishes during the same competitive match.
The achievement was even more remarkable because both perfect legs occurred under double-in, double-out rules.
Wade eventually won the match 3–2, but both players had already secured their places in darts history.
15 Gary Anderson – World Championship Semi-Final Perfection
Opponent: Jelle Klaasen
Gary “The Flying Scotsman” Anderson produced a brilliant nine-darter during his 2016 World Championship semi-final against Jelle Klaasen.
Anderson was defending his world championship title and playing some of the finest darts of his career.
His smooth, natural throwing action made the perfect leg look almost effortless.
He went on to defeat Klaasen and subsequently beat Adrian Lewis in the final to secure his second consecutive world championship.
The nine-darter added another memorable chapter to Anderson’s outstanding career.
16 William Borland – A Nine-Darter to Win the Match
Opponent: Bradley Brooks
Some nine-darters are memorable because of the tournament. Others are unforgettable because of the timing.
William Borland achieved something extraordinary during his first-round World Championship match against Bradley Brooks in December 2021, at the tournament officially titled the 2022 PDC World Championship.
With the match reaching a deciding leg, Borland completed a spectacular nine-dart finish to win.
Instead of simply producing a perfect leg during the match, he used perfection to secure victory at the most dramatic possible moment.
The Alexandra Palace crowd erupted as Borland celebrated one of the most sensational finishes in World Championship history.
17 Michael Smith – The Greatest Leg of Darts Ever?
Opponent: Michael van Gerwen
On 3 January 2023, Michael Smith and Michael van Gerwen produced a leg that many fans consider the greatest in darts history.
During the World Championship final, Van Gerwen opened with two maximums and reached double 12 for a nine-darter.
He narrowly missed his final dart.
Smith, who had also scored two maximums, stepped forward needing 141.
With the entire arena watching, he hit treble 20, treble 19 and double 12 to complete the nine-darter.
The crowd erupted, and the television commentary became almost as famous as the darts themselves.
Smith went on to defeat Van Gerwen 7–4 and claim his first world championship title.
Two players threatening nine-darters in the same leg of a World Championship final is the kind of sporting drama that may never be repeated in quite the same way.
18 Luke Littler – Teenage Perfection in Bahrain
Opponent: Nathan Aspinall
Luke Littler had already captured the attention of the darts world when he arrived at the Bahrain Darts Masters in January 2024.
At just 16 years old, he produced a spectacular televised nine-darter during his quarter-final against Nathan Aspinall.
The achievement made Littler the youngest player to complete a televised nine-dart finish, breaking the age record previously held by Michael van Gerwen.
Littler went on to win the tournament, defeating Michael van Gerwen in the final.
It was another extraordinary milestone in the rapid rise of one of darts’ brightest young talents.
19 Christian Kist – World Championship Perfection
Opponent: Madars Razma
Christian Kist produced a brilliant nine-dart finish during the opening round of the 2025 PDC World Championship, played in December 2024.
Facing Latvia’s Madars Razma, Kist completed the perfect leg with the familiar combination of two 180s and a 141 checkout.
Although he eventually lost the match, his nine-darter became one of the standout moments of the tournament.
It demonstrated that even in defeat, a player can create a moment that will be remembered for years.
20 Damon Heta – Another Perfect World Championship Leg
Opponent: Luke Woodhouse
Australian star Damon Heta produced a spectacular nine-darter during his third-round match against Luke Woodhouse at the 2025 PDC World Championship.
Heta completed the perfect leg with two maximum scores followed by a 141 checkout.
The achievement came during the same championship in which Christian Kist had also thrown a nine-darter.
Although Heta lost the match, his perfect leg provided one of the most memorable moments of the event.
It was another reminder that nine-dart finishes remain special, even in an era when professional scoring standards are higher than ever.
Which Nine-Dart Finish Was the Greatest?
Choosing the greatest nine-dart finish is a matter of personal opinion.
Some fans value historical significance, while others prefer spectacular moments of drama or exceptional scoring under pressure.
| Achievement | Player | Year |
|---|---|---|
| First televised nine-darter | John Lowe | 1984 |
| First World Championship nine-darter | Paul Lim | 1990 |
| First live televised nine-darter | Shaun Greatbatch | 2002 |
| Two nine-darters in one match | Phil Taylor | 2010 |
| First in a PDC World Championship final | Adrian Lewis | 2011 |
| First televised double-start nine-darter | Brendan Dolan | 2011 |
| Two opponents hit nine-darters | Wade and Thornton | 2014 |
| Match-winning deciding-leg nine-darter | William Borland | 2021 |
| Iconic World Championship final leg | Michael Smith | 2023 |
| Youngest televised nine-darter | Luke Littler | 2024 |
For historical importance, John Lowe and Paul Lim deserve enormous recognition.
For sheer consistency, Phil Taylor’s two perfect legs in the 2010 Premier League final are difficult to beat.
However, Michael Smith’s 2023 World Championship final nine-darter is arguably the most dramatic because Michael van Gerwen came so close to achieving perfection in the very same leg.
If we had to choose just one, Michael Smith’s 2023 World Championship final nine-darter would take the top spot for pure drama. Two players, both threatening perfection, in the biggest match of the year. It was darts entertainment at its absolute finest!
Why Is a Nine-Dart Finish So Difficult?
A nine-dart finish requires extraordinary precision because the player has almost no room for error.
In a standard 501 leg, nine darts is the minimum possible number required to finish.
Players must combine extremely high scoring with an accurate final checkout.
Even a professional player averaging more than 100 points per three darts can go through many matches without completing a perfect leg.
1. Every Dart Matters
One missed treble can immediately end the possibility of a nine-dart finish on the usual routes.
2. The Pressure Increases
After two consecutive 180s, the crowd often begins anticipating a perfect leg. The final three darts suddenly carry enormous pressure.
3. Doubles Must Be Hit
A nine-darter is not simply about scoring heavily. The player must finish on the required double or bullseye.
4. Consistency Is Essential
Producing nine accurate darts in succession is much harder than hitting an occasional maximum score.
Can an Amateur Player Hit a Nine-Darter?
Absolutely. A nine-dart finish is not exclusively reserved for professional players.
Talented amateur players have achieved perfect legs in local leagues, practice sessions and amateur tournaments.
However, it remains an exceptionally difficult accomplishment.
For most recreational players, a nine-darter represents a long-term dream rather than a realistic expectation during every match.
The best way to improve your chances is to develop consistent scoring, practise common checkout combinations and learn to remain calm under pressure.
Practice Tips for Chasing Your First Nine-Darter
- Practise grouping your darts around treble 20.
- Work on finishing 141 using treble 20, treble 19 and double 12.
- Develop a consistent throwing rhythm.
- Keep track of your three-dart average.
- Practise doubles regularly.
- Focus on accuracy rather than throwing faster.
- Stay relaxed when you hit consecutive maximums.
Five Amazing Facts About Greatest 9-Dart Finishes
- John Lowe made television history in 1984. His perfect leg became the first nine-darter shown on television.
- Phil Taylor achieved two nine-darters in one televised match. Both came against James Wade in the 2010 Premier League final.
- The World Grand Prix makes perfection even harder. Players must start and finish on a double.
- William Borland won a World Championship match with a nine-darter. His perfect leg came in the deciding leg against Bradley Brooks.
- Michael Smith’s 2023 nine-darter came after Michael van Gerwen missed his own attempt. It created one of the most dramatic legs in darts history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nine-Dart Finishes
What is a nine-dart finish?
A nine-dart finish is a perfect leg of 501 completed with exactly nine darts, finishing on a double or inner bullseye.
Who threw the first televised nine-darter?
John Lowe achieved the first televised nine-dart finish at the 1984 MFI World Matchplay against Keith Deller.
Who threw the first live televised nine-darter?
Shaun Greatbatch achieved the first live televised nine-dart finish during the 2002 Dutch Open final against Steve Coote.
Who threw the first nine-darter in a World Championship final?
Adrian Lewis achieved the first PDC World Championship final nine-darter against Gary Anderson in 2011.
Has anyone hit two nine-darters in one match?
Yes. Phil Taylor completed two nine-dart finishes during the 2010 Premier League final against James Wade.
Can two players hit nine-darters in the same match?
Yes. James Wade and Robert Thornton both achieved perfect legs during their 2014 World Grand Prix match.
What is the highest possible score with three darts?
The maximum score with three standard darts is 180, achieved by hitting treble 20 three times.
Who hit the famous nine-darter in the 2023 World Championship final?
Michael Smith completed the nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen before going on to win the world championship.
Conclusion – Nine Darts That Create Legends
A nine-dart finish represents one of the greatest achievements in professional darts.
It combines perfect scoring, exceptional accuracy and the ability to perform under intense pressure.
From John Lowe’s groundbreaking achievement in 1984 to Michael Smith’s unforgettable 2023 World Championship final, perfect legs have produced some of the most exciting moments in sporting history.
These 20 nine-darters demonstrate how a single leg can transform a player’s career, create an unforgettable memory or establish a new chapter in darts history.
And as new generations of talented players continue to emerge, there is little doubt that more extraordinary nine-dart finishes await us.
Perhaps the next legendary perfect leg will come from Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen or another rising star.
Or perhaps it will happen during a quiet evening at a local darts club, when an ordinary player suddenly achieves something extraordinary.
Every darts player dreams of throwing a nine-darter. But remember, even the greatest professionals miss doubles, hit single ones and occasionally wonder where their darts are going. Keep practising, keep enjoying the game, and never stop dreaming of perfection!
Sources and Further Reading
- Sporting Life – The History of the Nine-Dart Finish
- Sporting Life – World Championship Nine-Darters
- BBC Sport – Paul Lim’s Historic Nine-Darter
- BBC Sport – Wade and Thornton Make Nine-Dart History
- Sky Sports – World Grand Prix Nine-Dart Moments
- Professional Darts Corporation – Official Website
This is an editorial selection of 20 memorable greatest 9-Dart Finishes, not an official statistical ranking. Tournament years follow the official event names, which can differ from the calendar dates on which matches were played.
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