Cricket Darts Rules And How To Play

Cricket is fun, easy to learn and loved by dart players from complete beginners all the way to expert level players. Here’s the dart throwing technique what you need to know about cricket darts rules and how to play Cricket darts.

• What is Cricket?

Cricket is the most popular dart game in the U.S. It’s also played around the world, that is often known in the UK as “Mickey Mouse”.

The goal of Cricket is to close each number on the dartboard, 1 through 15, plus the Bull’s Eye, before your opponent while being even or ahead in points.

You close a number by hitting the number three times. The “fat” part of each number counts as one, the double ring (outer ring) counts as 2 hits, and the triple ring (inner ring) counts as 3 hits.

Numbers can be closed in any order, although most players like to start with the 20 and work their way down. If you close a number, and it is still open for your opponent, you can score points on that number.

Let’s now look at the details and rules for how to play Cricket darts.

The objective of Cricket is pretty simple. Your goal is to close out all the numbers in play, including the Bull. And you need to close the numbers before your opponent while being ahead or even in total points.

• cricket darts rules

How Many Players

Cricket is usually played with two players or teams of two. You can also play with 3 or 4 players individually. There are no set rules on the number of players that can play.

Numbers

A standard game of Cricket is played using the following numbers on a dartboard: 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15 and the Bull.

Starting Out
Start out by picking teams (if doubles) and choosing who shoots first. For the first game, select who goes first by each taking a shot at the bull’s eye. The player with the closest dart to the bull’s eye gets to throw first. The winner, or a player from the winning team, throws first for subsequent games

Each player gets 3 darts per turn. If playing partners, you’ll alternate turns with players on the other team.

Closing Numbers
You close a number by scoring three of that number. This is done either by hitting three singles, a single and a double (outer ring), or one triple (inner ring) shot.

The numbers can be closed in any order. Although you can play cricket in order too. Playing in order is a fun and challenging way to play Cricket for more advanced players.

To mark your score use the following standard marks to indicate one hit, two hits, or three hits (aka closed) per turn:

• Scoring Points in Cricket

If you have closed a number that is still open for your opponent, you can start scoring points on that number until your opponent closes that number.

The double and triple count as 2 or 3 times the numerical values of each number in play. Scores are added to the previous balance.

Cricket Darts Scoring
As an example, let’s say you closed the 16 and your opponent hasn’t yet. Now if you hit a double 16, you would score 32 points. You can keep scoring on that 16 until your opponent closes the number.

It’s that simple. Keep a running total of your score or your team’s score in the outer margins of the scoreboard.

Note: Do not remove your darts from the board until you have marked your score for that turn.