Cricket is the most popular of all the dart games. If you see people playing darts in a pub or on TV, there is a very good chance that they are playing cricket. Cricket is the most popular game in the United States but it is often called Mickey Mouse in England.
The rules to cricket are simple. The object of the game is to hit three of each number, 15 through 20, as well as hit three bull's eyes. You may hit the numbers in any order, most often people go for the highest numbers first though. You want to be the first person to "close" the number. You close a number by hitting the number three times. Hitting the double counts as two hits and hitting the triple counts as three. The first person to close a number owns that number and can score points on it until the other player closes it as well. Taking this into account, if on the very first round you were to hit a double 20 and two single 20s, you would close the 20 out as well as score 20 points. Once both players have closed a number, the number is dead and you can no longer score points on it. In order to win you have to be the first person to close all the numbers, 15-20, the bull's-eye and to be either even or ahead in points.
Cricket Strategies
Cricket pretty much demands that you aim for the triple ring. You need to hit each number three times, so a successful triple score will close out a number with a single dart. It is possible to win a game of cricket with only eight darts: triple 20, triple 19, triple 18, triple 17, triple 16, triple 15, and then two bull's-eyes, as long as one is a double bull. The triple ring also gives you the most points if you are trying to boost your score.
There are two objectives to a game of cricket. The first objective is to close all of the numbers; the second objective is to score points. You must be at least tied in points to win. Scoring points is where the game becomes really interesting and where you must develop a strategy. You can only score on numbers that you have closed and your opponent has not; once both players have closed a number, no one can score points off of it. During play you must decide whether to go for more points or whether to close more numbers; it is a delicate balance and you must do both in order to be successful. With the added element of points, you can quickly go from being on the defensive to leading the game with a few accurately placed darts.
Scoring Cricket
Most scoreboards look like the one pictured on the left and they have everything you need for cricket preprinted on them. The standard scoring marks are a "/" for a single hit an "X" for two hits and an "O" for three hits or a closed number (see picture). Scores are listed to the sides of the number under the player's initials. So if on your first round you hit a single 20, a double 18 and a triple 19, you would have a / next to the 20, an X next to the 18 and a O next to the 19.
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Cricket Tips
- When you are trailing in points, you have two options available to you. You can attempt to close the number(s) that your competitor is scoring on or you can try throwing for points yourself. What you do here is a judgement call that will depend on several factors such as your score, the numbers open/closed, and on the players.
- Avoid building up an excessive amount of points; this is called point mongering and is looked down upon and considered unsportsmanlike.
- Going first in cricket can be a big advantage.
- When you are ahead in points, focus on closing numbers, especially those that your competition has already closed and scoring with. Make sure that you always maintain a comfortable lead though; you want your opponent to throw at least one dart, per turn, on points and not on closing numbers.
- Strategy is incredibly important in cricket. It is very important to think about the game; the better you understand the strategies, the better the player you will be.
Cricket Variations
Cricket Without Points. The game is the same as traditional cricket except that there are no points involved; you just need to be the first person to close 15-20 and the bull's-eye.
Extended Cricket. Played just like normal cricket but in this variation you add the numnber 10-14 into the game. You can play this variation with or without points.
Call Cricket. In this game you must call out what you are shooting for before you throw. So if you call for 20s and hit 18, the dart does not count. |
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