So you've got a dartboard set up in your garage or basement, and you're tired of playing 501? Cricket's the perfect game to spice things up. I remember the first time my uncle taught me cricket darts in his pub basement - I kept hitting the wrong numbers and got absolutely destroyed. But once it clicked? Man, there's nothing more satisfying than slamming that bullseye to close out a game. Cricket isn't just some niche variation either - it's the most popular dart game in American leagues and bars. Let's break down exactly how to play cricket on darts so you can dominate your next game night.
What Exactly Is Cricket Darts?
Cricket darts is a strategic scoring game where you "close out" specific numbers on the board before your opponent does. Unlike games like 501 where you're subtracting points, cricket's all about controlling territory. You're only using numbers 15 through 20 plus the bullseye - the rest of the board might as well not exist. The name comes from the "cricket" term used when you close a number, though honestly nobody seems to know why it's called that. Maybe some Brit thought it resembled cricket scoring? Who knows.
Back when I played in a local league, we had this guy Dave who'd show up with custom darts and immediately start trash-talking about his cricket skills. Funny thing was, he'd always choke when closing the bullseye. Moral of the story? Don't be like Dave - master the fundamentals first.
Why Cricket Beats Other Dart Games (Fight Me)
Here's why learning how to play cricket on darts is worth your time:
- Strategic depth: It's like chess with sharp pointy things
- Faster games: No more endless subtraction like in 501
- Skill equalizer: Newbies can compete with veterans through smart play
- No math headaches: Scoring is visual on the board
Cricket Darts Rules Demystified
Okay, let's get into the meat of how to play cricket on darts. The core concept is simple: close all target numbers (15-20 and bullseye) while outscoring your opponent. But the devil's in the details.
Target Numbers Breakdown
| Number Segment | Single Hit Value | Triple Value | Closing Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-20 | 1 mark | 3 marks | 3 marks to close |
| Bullseye (Outer) | 1 mark | N/A | 1 mark to close |
| Bullseye (Inner) | 2 marks | N/A | Counts as 1 mark for closing |
Each turn, you throw three darts. Hitting a single 20 gives you one "mark" toward closing the 20 segment. Hit the triple 20? That's three marks in one dart - huge play. Once you get three marks on a number, you've closed it. Bullseye works differently - outer bull counts as one mark, inner bull as two, but both only need one mark to close. Weird? Yeah, took me three games to stop messing that up.
Pro Tip: When closing numbers, focus on high-value targets first. Closing the 20 gives you way more scoring potential than the 15. I've won games by aggressively targeting 20s while opponents wasted darts on low numbers.
Scoring Points in Cricket
Here's where cricket gets juicy. Once you've closed a number, you can score points on it if your opponent hasn't closed it yet. Hit a triple 20 on a closed segment? That's 60 points added to your total. The scoring potential looks like this:
| Number Hit | Points Scored (When Closed) |
|---|---|
| Single (e.g., Single 20) | 20 points |
| Double (e.g., Double 20) | 40 points |
| Triple (e.g., Triple 20) | 60 points |
| Outer Bullseye | 25 points |
| Inner Bullseye | 50 points |
Watch Out: Beginners often make this scoring mistake - you only score points when BOTH conditions are true: 1) You've closed the number, AND 2) Your opponent hasn't closed it. If both players have closed a number, it's dead and scores zero.
Winning the Game
You win cricket darts by achieving two things:
- Closing all required numbers (15-20 + bullseye)
- Having a higher point total than your opponent
But here's the twist - if you close all numbers first but are behind in points, the game continues until either someone pulls ahead or both players run out of scoring opportunities. I've seen matches where players deliberately avoid closing the bullseye to milk more points - sneaky but effective.
Step-by-Step Cricket Darts Gameplay
Let's walk through how to play cricket on darts with a real example. Say we've got two players: Alex and Taylor.
Setting Up
Grab a scoreboard or sheet of paper. Draw four columns: Numbers, Alex Marks, Taylor Marks, and Points. List numbers 15-20 and Bullseye. I prefer using whiteboards - easier to fix mistakes when you're three beers in.
Sample Turn Sequence
| Player | Darts Thrown | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex | Triple 20, Single 20, Miss | Closes 20s | Scores 0 (not closed yet) |
| Taylor | Single 20, Double 19, Triple 15 | Marks 20(1), 19(2), 15(3) | Closes 15s |
| Alex | Single 20, Triple 20, Outer Bull | 20 closed: 20+60=80 points Bull: 1 mark |
Alex: 80 points |
See how Alex closed the 20s first? Now every 20 hit scores points until Taylor closes it. Smart play. Taylor closed 15s but can't score there since Alex hasn't closed it yet.
Advanced Cricket Darts Strategies
After playing cricket in tournaments for five years, here's what actually works - and what doesn't:
Target Priority List
Where to aim changes based on game situation:
- Opening strategy: "Always start with 20s. Highest scoring potential. I don't care if you're more comfortable with 16s - build good habits."
- Mid-game: "Attack opponents' weak numbers. See them struggling with 18s? Keep hitting it to force mistakes."
- Endgame: "Close bullseye last if you're ahead. It's the ultimate point-scoring zone."
Defensive Tactics
Cricket isn't just about scoring - it's about denying opportunities:
| Situation | Defensive Move | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Opponent closes your cash cow (e.g., 20s) | Immediately close another high-value number | Limits their scoring options |
| Opponent needs bullseye to win | Intentionally leave it open if you can outscore | Forces them to hit under pressure |
| You're ahead on points | Close numbers aggressively | Shortens the game |
My worst cricket loss happened when I obsessed over closing bullseye while my opponent racked up 300 points on 20s. Still haunts me. Don't neglect open high numbers!
Bullseye Strategies That Work
The bull wins or loses more games than any other target:
- Closing timing: Only close bull immediately if you're desperate to end the game
- Scoring approach: Aim for inner bull (50 points) only if you're confident - outer bull (25) is safer
- Psychological edge: Save bull for last when opponent is stressed - they'll likely choke
Common Cricket Darts Mistakes to Avoid
Watching beginners learn how to play cricket on darts, I see these errors constantly:
- Random targeting: "Stop throwing at whatever number catches your eye. Have a plan before each turn."
- Ignoring opponents: "If they're about to close 20s, maybe stop aiming at 18s?"
- Premature bull closing: "Closing bull early is like surrendering your nuclear option"
- Score paralysis: "Stop overcalculating points - focus on open targets"
Equipment Tip: Don't blame your darts for bad cricket play... but seriously, if you're using bar darts with bent tips, you're making life hard. Get at least a mid-range set ($25-50). Steel tip vs soft tip matters too - most leagues use steel.
Cricket Darts Variations You Should Try
Once you master standard cricket, spice things up with these variants:
Cutthroat Cricket
Play with 3+ players. Brutal rules: when you score on an open number, ALL opponents who haven't closed it take points. Creates hilarious chaos.
No-Score Cricket
Pure closing race - no points. Great for absolute beginners. First to close all numbers wins. Boring for veterans though.
English Cricket
Uses numbers 10-15 and 17-20 plus bull. Weirdly specific - tried it once and found it unnecessarily complicated.
Cricket Darts FAQ - Your Questions Answered
Here are the most frequent questions I get about playing cricket on darts:
Do you have to close numbers in order?
Nope! That's a common misconception. Attack any number you want in any sequence. Smart players jump between high and low numbers to confuse opponents.
What happens if we tie on points?
Sudden death round! Each player throws one dart at bullseye. Closest to center wins. If still tied? Repeat until someone wins. I once saw a 7-round bullseye shootout - tension was insane.
Can you play cricket with different numbers?
Absolutely. Some leagues use 12-20 or even 10-20. But standard cricket uses 15-20 + bull. Changing numbers significantly changes strategy - high-number dominance decreases with more targets.
Why can't I score after closing all numbers?
Because the game should end when all numbers close! If you want continuous scoring, try "Around the World" instead. Cricket's beauty is its endpoint clarity.
How long does a typical cricket game last?
With two decent players? 8-15 minutes. Beginners: 15-25 minutes. Tournament matches often cap at 15 minutes. Shorter than 501 games usually.
Why Cricket Darts Dominates American Leagues
Having played both sides of the Atlantic, cricket darts thrives in the US for good reasons:
- No math advantage: Levels playing field between number nerds and normal humans
- Aggressive play rewarded: Unlike 501's conservative play
- Faster pace: More games per hour in tournaments
- Drama factor: Comebacks feel more achievable
Truth is, learning how to play cricket on darts fundamentally changed my enjoyment of darts. It transformed from solo number-crunching to a psychological duel. You're not just throwing at a board - you're predicting moves, setting traps, and capitalizing on mistakes.
Final thought: The best way to learn cricket? Play against someone better than you. I lost my first 20 games straight to my uncle. Painful? Absolutely. Effective? You bet. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a dartboard calling my name...
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