What is First Leg Winning Checkout? First Leg Winning Checkout Explained in 2 minutes
Mike Goodpaster Last Verified
26/04/2026
First leg winning checkout is a darts betting market based on the checkout that wins the opening leg of a set. Instead of only backing which player will win the leg, you may be able to bet on the checkout score or specific winning checkout range.
This guide explains what first leg winning checkout means, how the market works, and why it can be difficult to predict. You’ll also find strategy tips to help you assess player finishing ability, match format, throw order, and checkout trends before placing this type of darts bet.
First Leg Winning Checkout Explained
A professional darts match is made up of a pre-agreed number of sets, in which players contest legs. A player wins a set by winning more legs than their opponent.
The first player to win three legs wins a set, and the player who wins the first leg of a set by reducing their total of 501 to zero, landing a double with their last dart, has hit the first leg winning checkout.
This can only be achieved at the beginning of each set. Whichever player manages to checkout the first leg holds a distinct advantage for the rest of the set.
The term checkout means that a player must finish the leg by landing a double or the bullseye with their final dart. For example, if a player has 40 remaining, they need to hit double 20 to complete the checkout. If they have 50 remaining, they can finish on the bullseye.
In betting, first leg winning checkout markets focus on the score used to win the opening leg of a set. Some sportsbooks may let you bet on the exact checkout score, such as 40, 64, or 100, while others may offer ranges, such as under or over a certain checkout total.
This market is very specific because it depends on several factors happening in sequence. A player must control the leg, leave a finish, and then hit the required double or bullseye. That is why higher checkouts usually come with longer odds, while more common finishes may have shorter prices.
First Leg Winning Checkout Betting Strategies
First leg winning checkout betting requires more than simply choosing the better player. You need to think about who throws first, how quickly each player scores, how often they leave finishable numbers, and how reliable they are on doubles.
Many legal online sportsbooks may offer markets on which player will win the first leg of a darts match or set. Some may also list specials for the size of the first leg winning checkout, especially in major televised tournaments or high-profile matches.
For example, in a match between two elite players, you might see a market on whether the first leg winning checkout will be over or under a certain number. A 170 winning checkout is the highest possible finish in darts, but it is also extremely difficult because it requires treble 20, treble 20, and bullseye.
Because first leg winning checkout markets can be difficult to predict, it is important to focus on player stats and match context rather than just the biggest odds. One of the best ways increase your chances is by using a bonus or promotion from of Betting Offers Page in conjunction with your bet. The tips below can also help you make a more informed selection:
🎯 Check Player Checkout Percentages
Start by reviewing each player’s checkout percentage. A player who regularly finishes legs efficiently is more likely to take advantage when they reach a finish. This is especially important for first leg markets, where there may only be one chance to land the bet in each set.
🥇 Consider Who Throws First
The player with the first throw often has an advantage in the opening leg because they get the first chance to build scoring pressure. If that player is also strong on doubles, they may be more likely to record the first leg winning checkout.
📊 Study Common Checkout Ranges
Some checkout scores are more common than others. Finishes around 40, 60, 80, and 100 may appear more often than very high finishes because players frequently set up preferred doubles. Exact high checkouts can offer bigger odds, but they are much harder to land.
🔥 Assess Scoring Power
Heavy scorers who hit 180s and large treble scores can leave higher checkout opportunities earlier in the leg. If both players score quickly, an over checkout line may become more appealing, while slower scoring legs may lead to lower finishes.
📋 Check Match Format
The match format matters because set-play darts can create more first leg checkout opportunities. If a match has several sets, there may be multiple first legs. Always check whether the market applies to the first leg of the match, the first leg of each set, or a specific set.
Did you know:
Landing a 170 first leg winning checkout has a 3% completion rate due to the complexity of having to hit triple 20, triple 20 and finally the inner bullseye.
Real Life Examples of First Leg Winning Checkout Betting
First leg winning checkout betting focuses on the finish that wins the opening leg of a set or match. For example, if Michael van Gerwen starts a set against Luke Humphries and wins the first leg by hitting double 20 from 40, the first leg winning checkout is 40.
If you backed 40 as the exact first leg winning checkout, that bet would win. If you backed over 80.5 first leg winning checkout, it would lose because the checkout was below the line.
Now imagine the same leg ends with a 100 checkout. The player might finish by hitting treble 20, single 20, and double 10. In this case, over 80.5 first leg winning checkout would win, while under 80.5 would lose.
Some markets may apply only to the first leg of the match, while others may apply to the first leg of each set. If a best-of-five sets match goes the full distance, there could be five separate first leg winning checkout opportunities, depending on how the sportsbook has worded the market.
Is First Leg Winning Checkout Betting Available at Popular US Sportsbooks?
First leg winning checkout betting is more niche than standard darts markets, so it may not be available at every US sportsbook. You are more likely to find it during major darts tournaments, such as the PDC World Darts Championship, Premier League Darts, World Matchplay, or other televised events.
Popular sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN BET, and Fanatics may offer darts betting where available, but market depth can vary by state, event, and operator. Standard options like match winner, set winner, leg winner, handicaps, and totals are usually easier to find than first leg winning checkout specials.
bet365 is often known for offering deeper darts markets in regions where darts betting is supported, while other major US brands may focus on more mainstream options. If this market is available, it will usually appear under darts specials, leg betting, checkout markets, or player props.
Are First Leg Winning Checkout Bets Available for Live Betting?
First leg winning checkout bets are not commonly available for live betting because the market is settled very quickly. Once the first leg starts, sportsbooks may suspend the market or remove it entirely, especially if it refers only to the first leg of the match.
However, some live darts markets may include related options. You might find in-play betting on the next leg winner, current set winner, highest checkout, total 180s, or player checkout performance during major televised matches.
If the sportsbook offers first leg winning checkout for each set, there may be opportunities before a new set begins. In that case, the market could reopen briefly before the first leg of the next set, although availability depends entirely on the operator.
Live darts markets can move quickly because a single visit to the oche can change the leg completely. Always check whether the market refers to the next leg, the first leg of a set, the first leg of the match, or the highest checkout across the full contest before confirming your bet.
Similar Darts Bets to First Leg Winning Checkout
First leg winning checkout is a specific darts betting market, but there are several similar options based on leg results, checkout scores, and player performance. These markets can give you other ways to bet on finishing ability without needing to predict the exact first leg checkout:
🎯 Highest Checkout
Highest checkout betting focuses on the biggest successful finish recorded during a match. For example, if the largest checkout is 121, that becomes the winning result for the market. You may be able to bet on the exact highest checkout, a player to record the highest checkout, or whether the highest checkout will be over or under a set line.
🥇 First Leg Winner
First leg winner is simpler than first leg winning checkout because you only need to predict which player will win the opening leg. You do not need to know the checkout score. This market can still be influenced by who throws first, scoring form, and checkout percentage.
💯 Checkout Total Over/Under
Some sportsbooks offer over/under markets on checkout scores. Instead of naming the exact finish, you predict whether a checkout will be above or below a set number. This can apply to the first leg, a specific set, or the full match, depending on the sportsbook’s rules.
🔥 Total 180s
Total 180s betting is based on how many maximum scores are hit in a match. It is not a checkout market, but it is closely linked to scoring power. Strong 180 hitters can create more pressure and may leave higher checkout opportunities.
📊 Player Checkout Percentage
Player checkout percentage markets focus on finishing efficiency. Instead of predicting a single checkout, you may be betting on how well a player converts their doubles across the match. These markets are usually more common for major darts events with detailed stat coverage.
Final Thoughts on First Leg Winning Checkout Betting
First leg winning checkout betting is a detailed darts market that focuses on the score used to win the opening leg of a set or match. It can offer higher odds than simpler markets, but it is also harder to predict because it depends on scoring patterns, finishing routes, throw order, and checkout accuracy.
Before placing this type of bet, check the market rules carefully. Make sure you know whether the bet applies to the first leg of the match, the first leg of each set, or a specific set. Reviewing player checkout percentages, common finishing numbers, and match format can help you make a much more informed selection.
