Cricket Rules

Cricket is the most common dart game played in America. Unlike the x01 games, Cricket is a game that requires some strategy which can help a weaker player beat a stronger player.

The Object:

The object of the game is to "close" all your numbers (20 down through 15 and bulls-eye) and end up with more or equal points to your opponent. To close a number, you must hit three of that number. Only the numbers, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, and Bulls-eyes count. Any other number hit is considered a miss.

The Play:

The scoreboard is drawn with the numbers 20 through 15 and bullseye written down the center of the board. Bullseye is usually abbreviated with a B. Each dart that lands in any of the Cricket numbers count toward closing that number. The thin outer ring counts as two of that number and is called a "double". The thin inner ring counts as three of that number and is called a triple.

The players each take a turn throwing one dart at the bulls-eye (corking). The closet dart to the bulls-eye gets to start the game and throw first. The dart must remain in board to count. If the dart hits the board and falls out, then a second dart must be thrown. If both players hit the bulls-eye, than a ‘re-do’ is called by the chalker and both players throw again.

The first player throws three darts at any of the scoring numbers to try to close that number and/or score points (points will be explained later, and games can be played without points). The player then scores the darts that he has thrown and play alternates until one person closes all their numbers and has more or equal points to the opponent.

The Scoring:

Scoring for one dart is shown by placing a slash ( \ ) next to the number scored. Scoring for two is shown by placing an X next to the number scored. Scoring for three is shown by placing a circle next to the number to indicate it is closed. When three of a number is scored in any combination, it is closed. Points are added and kept on each player's side.

Strategy:

The best strategy is to close the highest numbers first in descending order (this is the reason they are written that way on the scoreboard). The reason for this is that if points are scored, the player with the higher number closed has a big advantage. If you closed your 20 and scored 20 points in your first round, your opponent would have to throw TWO 19's after they are closed to make up the points and score 38.

Strategy: Scoring Points

Scoring points is what makes the game of Cricket very interesting. After you close a number, if your opponent does not have the same number closed, any darts that land in that number count as points for you and are totaled on your side of the board.

For example, you have your 18 closed and your opponent only has one 18. If you throw a triple 18, you now have 54 points added to any points you may have already scored. If your opponent now throws a triple 18, only two count to close the number. The third does not count for points because your 18 is already closed. If a player has all of their numbers closed, including bulls-eyes, but has less points, that player has not yet won the game. He must throw enough points to be even or ahead of the opponent. If the only number the opponent has open is bulls-eyes, then the player must throw extra bulls-eyes at 25 points each (or 50 points for the double bulls-eye).

Scoring points may be necessary to guarantee a win, or to provide a safety net until the final dart is scored. Staying one or two bullseyes ahead (25 to 50 points) is acceptable. Throwing more points on another player that is not an INCREDIBLY stronger player is not a good idea. "Point Mongering" can lead to unfriendly darts. The best strategy is to close at least one number each turn and be consistent. Steady, even playing will generally give the player the best advantage and a better all around game.