The Holy Grail of Darts: 9 Darts, 501 Points
A nine-dart finish is the darting equivalent of a 147 maximum break in snooker or a hole-in-one in golf. At the PDC World Darts Championship, 11 different players have achieved perfection on stage, producing a total of 16 magical moments since the tournament moved to Alexandra Palace in 2008.
Chronological List of All 16 World Championship Nine-Darters
Every nine-dart finish achieved in the Great Hall at Alexandra Palace, including exact checkout combinations and match situations.
| # | Player | Year | Round | Opponent | Checkout Route | Historical Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Raymond van Barneveld | 2009 | Quarter-Final | Jelle Klaasen | 180, 180, T20-T19-D12 | Alexandra Palace (First in Ally Pally history) |
| #2 | Raymond van Barneveld | 2010 | Second Round | Brendan Dolan | 180, 180, T20-T19-D12 | Alexandra Palace (First player to hit two World Championship 9-darters) |
| #3 | Adrian Lewis | 2011 | Final | Gary Anderson | 180, 180, T20-T19-D12 | Alexandra Palace (First 9-darter in a World Championship final) |
| #4 | Dean Winstanley | 2013 | Second Round | Vincent van der Voort | 180, 180, T20-T17-D18 | Alexandra Palace |
| #5 | Michael van Gerwen | 2013 | Semi-Final | James Wade | 180, 177, T20-T20-D12 | Alexandra Palace (Followed by 8 more perfect darts in next leg) |
| #6 | Terry Jenkins | 2014 | First Round | Per Laursen | 180, 180, T20-T19-D12 | Alexandra Palace (Hit on same day as Kyle Anderson) |
| #7 | Kyle Anderson | 2014 | First Round | Ian White | 180, 180, T20-T19-D12 | Alexandra Palace (Hit on same day as Terry Jenkins) |
| #8 | Adrian Lewis | 2015 | Third Round | Raymond van Barneveld | 180, 180, T20-T19-D12 | Alexandra Palace (Lewis's second Ally Pally 9-darter) |
| #9 | Gary Anderson | 2016 | Semi-Final | Jelle Klaasen | 180, 180, T20-T19-D12 | Alexandra Palace |
| #10 | James Wade | 2021 | Third Round | Stephen Bunting | 180, 180, T20-T19-D12 | Alexandra Palace (Played behind closed doors / COVID protocols) |
| #11 | William Borland | 2022 | First Round | Bradley Brooks | 180, 177, T19-T20-D12 | Alexandra Palace (First deciding-leg match-winning 9-darter in history) |
| #12 | Darius Labanauskas | 2022 | First Round | Mike De Decker | 174, 180, T20-T17-D18 | Alexandra Palace |
| #13 | Gerwyn Price | 2022 | Quarter-Final | Michael Smith | 180, 180, T19-T20-D12 | Alexandra Palace |
| #14 | Michael Smith | 2023 | Final | Michael van Gerwen | 180, 180, T20-T19-D12 | Alexandra Palace (Leg 3, Set 2 - after MVG missed D12 in same leg) |
| #15 | Christian Kist | 2025 | First Round | Madars Razma | 180, 180, T20-T19-D12 | Alexandra Palace (Triggered £180k Paddy Power charity & fan bonus) |
| #16 | Damon Heta | 2025 | Third Round | Luke Woodhouse | 180, 180, T20-T19-D12 | Alexandra Palace (27 December 2024 post-Christmas session) |
The Three Greatest Nine-Darters in Ally Pally History
1. Michael Smith (2023 Final vs. Michael van Gerwen)
Universally celebrated as the greatest leg in darts history. Van Gerwen threw six perfect darts before hitting T20, T19, and missing double 12 by millimeters. Smith, who was throwing second, had also landed six perfect darts. He stepped up, coolly sank treble 20, treble 19, and double 12 to blow the roof off Alexandra Palace.
2. William Borland (2022 Round 1 vs. Bradley Brooks)
The only sudden-death, match-winning nine-darter in World Championship history. Locked at 2-2 in sets and 2-2 in legs, Scottish debutant Borland produced 180, 177, and checked out 144 (T20, T20, D12) in the deciding leg before celebrating in disbelief.
3. Raymond van Barneveld (2009 Quarter-Final vs. Jelle Klaasen)
The historic first nine-darter in Alexandra Palace history. Barney opened with two 180s before pinning T20, T19, D12 against his fellow Dutchman, earning a £20,000 bonus cheque and etching his name into Ally Pally immortality.
The Mathematics of a Nine-Dart Finish
While there are 3,944 mathematically possible combinations to achieve a 501 checkout in nine darts, only a handful are used in televised play:
Traditional Route (141 Finish)
Used in 10 of the 14 World Championship nine-darters. Double 12 provides a natural rhythm down from treble 19.
Alternative Route (144 Finish)
Employed by Michael van Gerwen (2013) and William Borland (2022) to stay firmly in the treble 20 bed.
Nine-Darters FAQ
What is the prize bonus for hitting a 9-darter at the World Championship?
In recent editions, tournament title sponsors have offered special bonuses (such as £50,000 to £60,000, often split between the player and a nominated charity or fan competition). If multiple players hit a nine-darter, the fund is typically shared.
Who hit the first nine-darter in World Darts Championship history?
Paul Lim hit the first World Championship nine-darter at the Lakeside Country Club in the 1990 BDO World Championship. At the PDC World Championship, Raymond van Barneveld hit the first in 2009 at Alexandra Palace.
Has anyone ever hit a 170 checkout to complete a nine-darter?
Yes. Although never seen at the World Championship, players can theoretically open 167 (T20, T19, Bull), 167, and 167, or open 180, 151, and finish on the "Big Fish" 170 (T20, T20, Bull).