Mikko's Megatrain

Complete a demanding sequence of 20 targets in fixed order, alternating between the triple 20 and other essential doubles, trebles, and the bullseye. Each target must be closed by hitting it with at least 2 out of 3 darts in a single visit. The routine is designed to build elite-level consistency across the full range of competitive darts skills — heavy treble-20 scoring, key doubles finishing, and precision on supporting trebles — all within a single gruelling practice session.

A standard bristle dartboard and a set of three darts are required. Mikko's Megatrain is a solo training routine; no opponent is needed. Allow approximately one hour or more to complete the full sequence, depending on skill level.

Prepare a scoresheet (or use an app) listing the 20 targets in order:

• Target 1: Treble 20 (T20)
• Target 2: Double 20 (D20)
• Target 3: Treble 20 (T20)
• Target 4: Double 18 (D18)
• Target 5: Treble 20 (T20)
• Target 6: Treble 19 (T19)
• Target 7: Treble 20 (T20)
• Target 8: Double 16 (D16)
• Target 9: Treble 20 (T20)
• Target 10: Treble 18 (T18)
• Target 11: Treble 20 (T20)
• Target 12: Double 12 (D12)
• Target 13: Treble 20 (T20)
• Target 14: Double 10 (D10)
• Target 15: Treble 20 (T20)
• Target 16: Treble 17 (T17)
• Target 17: Treble 20 (T20)
• Target 18: Double 8 (D8)
• Target 19: Treble 20 (T20)
• Target 20: Bullseye (inner bull)

Note the signature design: Treble 20 appears as every odd-numbered target (ten times in total), ensuring intensive T20 repetition is woven throughout the entire session. The even-numbered targets cover the doubles and trebles most frequently required in match-play checkouts and scoring.

Work through the 20 targets strictly in sequence, beginning with Target 1 (T20). On each visit you throw three darts at the current target. The target is closed if you hit it with at least 2 of your 3 darts. If you close the target, move immediately to the next target in the sequence on your following visit.

If you fail to close the target — that is, you hit it with 0 or 1 of your 3 darts — you remain on the same target and throw again on your next visit.

The Burn-Dart Rule: A special continuation rule rewards persistence under pressure. If you miss the target with your first two darts but hit it with your third dart, you may carry that hit forward. If you then also hit the same target with your first dart of the very next visit, the target counts as closed (since you have now accumulated 2 hits across the boundary of two throws). If you miss with that first dart of the next visit, the burn-dart opportunity is lost and you continue attempting the target under normal rules.

Example — standard close: You are on Target 8 (D16). You throw your three darts and land the first in the double-16 segment, miss with the second, and hit double 16 again with the third. That is 2 hits out of 3 — Target 8 is closed, and you advance to Target 9 (T20).

Example — failed attempt: You are on Target 6 (T19). You throw three darts and only one lands in the treble-19 bed. That is 1 hit out of 3 — the target is not closed. You throw at T19 again on your next visit.

Example — Burn-Dart Rule: You are on Target 12 (D12). Your first two darts miss, but your third dart hits D12. On your next visit, your first dart also hits D12. The target is now closed (one hit carried from the previous visit plus one hit on the new visit = 2 hits). You advance to Target 13 (T20). However, if that first dart of the new visit had missed D12, the burn-dart carryover would expire, and you would continue throwing at D12 under normal rules for the remainder of that visit.

Scoring in Mikko's Megatrain is binary per target: each target is either closed or not yet closed. No point values are tallied from the segments hit.

The primary performance metric is the total number of darts thrown to complete all 20 targets. A lower dart count indicates better performance. For reference:

• Perfect run: 60 darts (every target closed on the first attempt — 20 targets × 3 darts).
• Strong club player: approximately 90–150 darts.
• Beginner or intermediate player: 200 darts or more is common, particularly given the difficulty of repeated T20 targets and precision doubles.

You may also track total time taken as a secondary metric. Recording both figures after each session allows you to chart improvement over weeks and months of practice.

Mikko's Megatrain is a solo training exercise; there is no opponent to defeat. The routine is complete when all 20 targets have been closed in sequence, finishing with the bullseye.

Victory is measured against your own previous performances. Track your total darts thrown and total time taken after every session. Consistent reduction in both figures over successive sessions is the mark of genuine improvement. Setting personal-best benchmarks — and attempting to break them — provides the competitive motivation that sustains long-term training.

Beginner Mode: Reduce the closing requirement to 1 hit out of 3 darts rather than 2 out of 3. This makes the routine accessible to newer players who would otherwise spend an excessive amount of time stuck on individual targets, while still familiarising them with the full target sequence.

Advanced Mode: Increase the closing requirement to 3 out of 3 darts for every target. This is an exceptionally demanding standard suitable only for elite-level players, as it requires near-perfect grouping on each segment.

Shortened Megatrain: For time-limited sessions, complete only the first 10 targets (T20 through T18) rather than the full 20. This still covers five T20 rounds plus key doubles and trebles, and can typically be finished in 20–30 minutes.

Mikko's Megatrain is sometimes referred to simply as Megatrain. It was created by Finnish darts player and coach Mikko Laiho and popularised through the GoDartsPro training platform.

Schedule rest breaks every 20 minutes: This routine demands sustained, maximum-focus throwing over an hour or more. Fatigue — both physical and mental — will erode your accuracy and teach bad habits. When you feel your concentration slipping, step away from the oche, hydrate, and return fresh. Quality repetitions matter far more than powering through on willpower alone.

Embrace the T20 repetition: The alternating pattern is the heart of the routine's design. Mikko Laiho's philosophy was that hitting 2 out of 3 is good enough — if you can reliably land two treble 20s per visit, your scoring in match play will be formidable. Treat each T20 target as a fresh challenge, not a chore, and focus on reproducing your best grouping every time.

Use the Burn-Dart Rule as a pressure drill: When you hit the target with your third dart after missing the first two, the next throw becomes a high-stakes single-dart challenge. Lean into that pressure — it simulates the feeling of needing one dart at a double to win a leg. Over time, converting burn-dart opportunities will sharpen your clutch performance.

Log every session in detail: Record the dart count for each individual target, not just the overall total. This reveals your specific weaknesses — perhaps D10 consistently costs you 15+ darts while D16 closes quickly. Use that data to design supplementary practice around your problem targets.

Pair the routine with targeted warm-ups: Before starting the full Megatrain, throw 5–10 minutes of relaxed darts at T20 and a couple of doubles. Arriving at Target 1 already grooved into the T20 bed will save darts early and build confidence for the tougher targets ahead.