How To Play Cricket On Darts: Complete Rules, Strategy, And Scoring Guide

American Cricket is one of the most popular pub games and competitive formats in the world of soft-tip and steel-tip darts, focusing heavily on territorial control rather than just high-scoring arithmetic. Players must strategically close out the numbers 15 through 20 and the bullseye while accumulating points on active numbers before their opponents do.

Setting Up Your Dartboard and Understanding the Objective

Mastering American Cricket requires a standard regulation dartboard, a chalk or digital scoreboard, and a set of three darts per player. The primary objective is to legally claim or "close" specific segments on the board while maximizing your scoring potential, blending aggressive offensive scoring with tight defensive closure tactics.

• Essential gear/tools/materials: A regulation bristle or electronic dartboard, steel-tip or soft-tip darts matching board requirements, and a visible scoreboard divided into columns for numbers 15 through 20 and the Bull.
• Mandatory prerequisite knowledge/standards: Standard board dimensions dictate a hanging height of 5 feet 8 inches from the floor to the center of the bullseye, with a throwing distance (oche) of 7 feet 9.25 inches for steel-tip or 8 feet for soft-tip.
• Estimated budget/duration benchmarks: A standard recreational match involving two players typically lasts between 15 and 30 minutes, with entry-level equipment budgets ranging from thirty to one hundred dollars.

Step-by-Step Execution of a Cricket Match

Step 1: Determining First Throw and Board Targets

Decide who throws first by having each player throw a single dart at the bullseye; the player closest to the center throws first in the opening leg. The active target numbers for standard Cricket are exclusively 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, and the Bullseye (Outer Bull and Inner Bull).

Pro-Tip: Always aim for the inner bullseye during the lag throw to secure first-player advantage, as controlling the pace of a Cricket match heavily favors the opening player.

Step 2: Scoring Hits and Closing Numbers

To complete the game, a player must hit each of the designated target numbers (15-20 and Bull) three total times. Hits are accumulated on the scoreboard using standard dart notation: a single slash (/) represents one hit, an "X" represents two hits, and a circled X or completed star represents three hits, which "closes" that number.

1. A single segment hit counts as one mark toward closing the number.
2. A double ring hit counts as two marks toward closing the number.
3. A triple ring hit instantly counts as three marks, completely closing that number with a single dart if thrown accurately.

Warning: Hitting a number that your opponent has already closed while you still have it open yields zero points and wastes valuable darts.

Step 3: Accumulating Points and Strategic Scoring

Once a player has completely closed a number (three marks), any subsequent hits on that same number while it remains open by any opponent will score point values equal to that number's face value. For example, if Player A has closed the 20 segment, every extra 20 they hit adds 20 points to their score, provided Player B has not yet closed 20.

1. The outer bullseye counts as 25 points when scored, and the inner bullseye counts as 50 points.
2. Points can only be accumulated on numbers that you have closed, but your opponents have not yet closed.
3. Once all players completely close a number, that number is dead and can no longer generate points for anyone.

Step 4: Executing Game-Winning Tactics

The match concludes immediately when one player successfully closes all required numbers (15-20 and Bull) AND holds either a greater total point score or a tied score with the opponent. If scores are tied when the final number is closed, the player with the most marks overall or sudden-death bull throws determine the winner depending on local house rules.

Common Match Errors and Field Adjustments

• Root Cause: Neglecting defense and focusing purely on high-scoring numbers like 20 while the opponent quietly closes lower numbers. Actionable Fix: Balance your throws by closing your numbers early and evaluating your opponent's open targets before throwing high-risk triples.
• Root Cause: Misinterpreting scoreboard marks and accidentally throwing at already-dead numbers. Actionable Fix: Keep the scoreboard strictly updated after every single turn, using distinct tally marks to verify dead numbers instantly.
• Root Cause: Foot faults at the oche throwing line due to poor stance posture. Actionable Fix: Install a physical oche strip or laser measure on the floor to ensure your leading foot never crosses the legal threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if time runs out or players tie in points?

If both players close all numbers simultaneously or end with equal points when the board is closed, the player who closed the final number typically wins, though league rules may dictate a sudden-death bullseye throw-off.

Can you score points on a number your opponent has already closed?

No. Once your opponent registers three marks on a number, that number is closed for them, preventing you from scoring any further points on it, though you must still close it yourself to finish the game.

Is the bullseye counted as two separate numbers?

Yes and no. The outer bull counts as a single segment hit (one mark or 25 points), while the inner bull counts as a double segment hit (two marks or 50 points), making the center ring extremely valuable for both closing and scoring.

Can beginners play Cricket without scoring points?

Yes, many recreational players utilize "No-Score Cricket," where the objective is strictly to close the numbers 15 through 20 and the bullseye as fast as possible without calculating point totals.

Elevate your pub game dominance by practicing your doubles and triples on the 20, 19, and Bull segments daily to master board control.