Cricket Darts Rules | How to Play & Win Cricket Darts

An enticing blend of tactics and precision, Cricket Darts is a popular variant of Darts, particularly in the United States. Often considered a core discipline of the sport, it brings unique rules and scoring methods to the table. This article will guide you through the game’s rules and mechanics, helping you hit the board with confidence.

What are the Rules for Cricket Darts?

Cricket Darts operates on a distinct set of rules that are different from traditional darts:

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  1. Numbers in Play – The game involves the numbers 20 through 15 and the bullseye. These numbers become the target sections on the dartboard. A dart that hits any other number doesn’t count for points or closing.
  2. Objective – The primary aim of the game is to “close” all the numbers in play (20 through 15 and the bullseye) and finish with the most points. A player or team closes a number by hitting it three times in any combination of singles, doubles, or triples.
  3. Scoring – A player scores points by hitting a closed number, provided the opponent hasn’t closed that number yet.
  4. Winning – The game ends when one player or team closes all their numbers and has a point total equal to or greater than the opponent’s score.

How Do You Score Points in Cricket Darts?

Scoring in Cricket Darts is unique, and understanding it is vital to play effectively:

  1. Closing Numbers – Players aim to close the numbers by hitting them three times. The hits can be a combination of singles, doubles, or triples.
  2. Scoring Points – Once a player closes a number by hitting it three times, they can score points on that number until the opponent also closes it. For example, if you’ve closed 20 and your opponent hasn’t, every dart you throw that hits 20 will add 20 points to your score.
  3. Double and Triple Scores – If you hit a double or triple of a closed number, you will score double or triple points respectively.
  4. Highest Points Wins – Although closing all numbers is crucial, you must also ensure that you have the highest score to win. If all numbers are closed, but your score is less than your opponent’s, you’ll need to continue scoring on open numbers until you exceed their total.

What is the Rule for the Bullseye in Cricket?

The bullseye plays a crucial role in Cricket Darts, operating similarly to other numbers in play:

  1. Closing the Bullseye – The bullseye needs three hits to close, just like the other numbers.
  2. Outer Bullseye – The outer bullseye (also known as the ‘green’ or ‘single bull’) counts as a single hit.
  3. Inner Bullseye – The inner bullseye (also known as the ‘red’ or ‘double bull’) counts as two hits towards closing the bullseye. It also awards 50 points if the bullseye is already closed for scoring.
  4. Scoring – You can score on the bullseye after you’ve closed it, and as long as your opponent hasn’t closed theirs.

What is Cricket 200 Darts?

Cricket 200 is a variation of the traditional Cricket Darts game. Instead of closing the numbers, the objective here is to reach a score of 200 before your opponent does. Each player tries to hit the numbers from 15 to 20 and the bullseye, with each successful hit adding the number’s value to their score. The first player to reach 200 points wins the game.

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Can You Throw All 3 Darts at Once?

In a game of Cricket Darts, each player throws three darts during their turn. However, you must throw them one at a time, not all at once. This rule ensures safety and also allows for the appropriate tracking and scoring of each throw.

How Many Bullseyes Do You Need in Cricket?

In Cricket Darts, you need three hits to close the bullseye, similar to any other number in the game. You can achieve this with three single bulls, one single bull and one double bull, or any other combination resulting in three hits. Once you close the bullseye, you can start scoring on it, provided your opponent hasn’t closed their bullseye.

How to Win Cricket Darts?

Winning Cricket Darts requires a strategic blend of accuracy, consistency, and tactics. Your primary aim is to “close” all the numbers (20 through 15 and the bullseye) by hitting them three times and accumulate the most points. A crucial winning strategy is to close the higher numbers first, starting with 20, as these offer more points. You must also effectively balance your attempts between closing numbers and scoring points. Remember, you can only score points on a number if you’ve closed it and your opponent hasn’t. While closing all the numbers as quickly as possible might sound like a good strategy, you could still lose the game if your opponent scores more points than you. Therefore, once you’ve closed a high-value number, consider focusing on scoring points on that number until your opponent also closes it. Winning in Cricket Darts is as much about clever tactics as it is about skillful throws.

What are the Numbers in Cricket Darts?

The numbers in play are 20 through 15 and the bullseye. These specific numbers, along with the bullseye, form the targets on the dartboard that players aim for throughout the game. Unlike other dart games where the entire dartboard is used, Cricket Darts focuses on these specific sections. They have been chosen strategically, representing an assortment of single-digit numbers, teens, and twenties, requiring players to adapt their aim and strategy as they switch between numbers. Each number carries its face value in points, with 20 being the highest and thus most desirable. The bullseye is also in play, offering a unique challenge and higher points for accuracy.

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What is a Mark in Cricket Darts?

A “mark” refers to a successful hit on a targeted number or the bullseye. For each single section hit, you receive one mark. A dart that lands in the double ring of a targeted number is counted as two marks, while a hit in the triple ring counts as three marks. When it comes to the bullseye, the outer ring counts as a single mark, and the inner bullseye counts as two marks. To “close” a number or the bullseye, you need to accumulate three marks on it. Beyond that, each mark you get on a number that your opponent hasn’t closed becomes a point, added to your overall score.

What Does the ‘C’ Mean in Cricket Darts?

In Cricket Darts, the letter ‘C’ denotes that a number is “closed.” As per the rules, players must hit each number in play (20 to 15 and the bullseye) three times to close them. When a player achieves this, they typically mark a ‘C’ next to the corresponding number on the scoreboard. A ‘C’ indicates that the player can now start scoring points on that number, provided the opponent has not closed it. Additionally, once both players have ‘C’s marked for a particular number, no further points can be scored on that number, effectively taking it out of play.

What is a 9 Mark in Cricket?

In Cricket Darts, a “9 mark” represents an exceptional achievement during a player’s turn. Since a player throws three darts in a turn, a 9 mark implies that all three darts hit the triple section of a target number or the bullseye. Achieving a 9 mark means the player has instantly closed a number or the bullseye and scored maximum possible points in a single round. A 9 mark round showcases a high level of accuracy and skill, making it a significant accomplishment in the game.

What is Overkill in Cricket Darts?

Overkill refers to a situation where a player continues to score points on a number, pushing their total far beyond what the opponent can realistically reach. Overkill is a strategic move where, instead of closing all the numbers, a player focuses on scoring as many points as possible on their closed numbers, making it harder for the opponent to catch up. While this might seem like an aggressive tactic, it’s important to remember that winning in Cricket Darts requires not only closing all numbers but also having a score equal to or higher than your opponent’s. An effective overkill strategy can secure a comfortable lead, making it a crucial aspect of advanced play.