How To Play Cricket On Darts: The Ultimate Guide To Mastering The Game

Have you ever watched a professional darts match and wondered what the players are chanting about when they hit numbers like 15, 16, and 17? Or perhaps you’ve been at a pub, heard someone shout "Cricket!" and assumed they were talking about the bat-and-ball sport? You’re not alone. The world of darts cricket is a fascinating, strategic, and deeply popular game within the darts community, yet it remains a mystery to many newcomers. So, how exactly do you play cricket on darts? It’s not about bowlers and batsmen; it’s a battle of precision, memory, and tactical scoring on the oche. This comprehensive guide will demystify every rule, strategy, and nuance, transforming you from a curious observer into a confident player ready to call "Cricket!" with authority.

What is Cricket in Darts? Decoding the Legendary Game

Before we dive into the "how," let’s clarify the "what." Cricket in darts is a classic, point-based game played on a standard dartboard. Its objective is to "own" or "close" specific numbers on the board—typically the numbers 15 through 20 and the bullseye—by hitting each of them three times. Once you have closed a number, you can then score points by hitting that same number, with your opponent unable to score on it. It’s a game that combines aggressive scoring with defensive shutting down, making it a dynamic test of skill and nerve. Unlike simple '01 games (like 501), cricket rewards consistent performance on key targets and forces players to think several throws ahead.

The Unmatched Legacy: Why Phil Taylor is Synonymous with Darts Cricket

To truly understand the spirit and competitive height of darts cricket, you must know the name Phil "The Power" Taylor. Widely regarded as the greatest darts player of all time, Taylor’s dominance was particularly absolute in cricket formats during the peak of his career. His unparalleled accuracy, mental fortitude, and ability to perform under the most intense pressure made him the undisputed king of the oche.

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Phil Taylor: A Statistical Phenomenon

Taylor’s era defined modern professional cricket in darts. Watching him methodically close numbers with treble 20s, then effortlessly farm points on his closed targets while dismantling his opponent’s scores, was a masterclass in strategy. His legacy is the benchmark every aspiring cricket darts player measures themselves against. Understanding his approach—calm, calculated, and brutally efficient—is the first step in learning how to play the game at a high level.

The Foundational Rules: Setting Up Your Cricket Match

Now, let’s get into the mechanics. A standard game of darts cricket is played between two players or two teams. The goal is to be the first to close all the required numbers and have a higher total score.

The Numbers in Play: The "Cricket Board"

The targets you must close are:

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• The double ring of each number from 15 to 20 (e.g., Double 15, Double 16, etc.). Hitting the double ring counts as two marks.
• The triple ring of each number from 15 to 20 (e.g., Triple 15, Triple 16, etc.). Hitting the triple ring counts as three marks.
• The outer bullseye (the green ring, often called the "25 ring"). This counts as one mark.
• The inner bullseye (the red or gold center, the "double bull"). This counts as two marks.

Important: The number segments themselves (the single wide areas) do not count for closing numbers in traditional cricket. Only hits in the double and triple rings, plus the bullseyes, register as marks. However, once a number is closed, any hit in that single number segment will score points equal to that number's face value.

How to Score and Close: The Core Loop

1. Earn Marks: On your turn (three darts), you throw to hit the double or triple rings of 15-20 and the bullseyes. Each hit adds a "mark" to that number on the scoreboard.
2. Close a Number: Once a number receives three marks, it is considered "closed." You place an "X" or a circle around it on the scoreboard.
3. Score Points: After you have closed a number, any subsequent hit on that number (even a single hit in the large single segment) will score you points equal to the number's value. For example, if you've closed 20, a single 20 scores you 20 points, a treble 20 scores 60 points, etc.
4. Defend: Your opponent cannot score points on a number you have closed, even if they hit it. They can only attempt to close it themselves (by getting their own three marks) to open it for their scoring.

The game ends when one player has closed all the required numbers (15-20 and both bullseyes) and has a higher total point score than their opponent. If both players close all numbers in the same round, the player with the higher score wins. If scores are tied after closing all, the game continues with the first player to score a point winning.

Step-by-Step Gameplay: From First Throw to Final Checkout

Let’s walk through a typical turn to see the strategy in action.

Imagine the scoreboard is fresh. You’re throwing first.

• Dart 1: You hit a treble 20. This gives you three marks on the 20 segment. The 20 is now closed immediately. You can now start scoring on 20.
• Dart 2: You throw another dart at the 20 segment and hit a single 20. Since 20 is closed, this scores you 20 points. Your score is now 20.
• Dart 3: You go for the bullseye to start closing it. You hit the outer bull (25 ring). This gives you one mark on the bull. The bull is not yet closed (needs two more marks).

Your turn is over. You have closed 20 and scored 20 points. Your opponent now tries to close 20 themselves to stop you from scoring on it and to open their own scoring on it.

Key Strategic Tension: Do you focus on closing your own numbers to open scoring lanes, or do you use your darts to prevent your opponent from closing their numbers? The best players do both, balancing offense and defense seamlessly.

Advanced Strategies: Thinking Like a Champion

Knowing the rules is one thing; winning is another. Here’s how the pros think.

1. The Opening Gambit: Target Selection

Your first few visits are critical. Many players prioritize closing the higher numbers (20, 19, 18) first. Why? Because once closed, they offer the highest scoring potential. A closed 20 can yield 20, 40, or 60 points per hit. A closed 15 only yields 15 max. Securing the big numbers early gives you a powerful scoring engine.

2. The Defensive Play: "On the Nought"

If your opponent is closing a key number like 20, you can use your darts to hit the number yourself. Even if you don't close it, hitting it adds marks that your opponent must then overcome. If they need one more mark on 20 and you hit a single 20, they now need two more marks (because you added one). This "running interference" can buy you crucial turns to build your own score.

3. The Bullseye Battle

The bullseye is the ultimate wildcard. It's a small target but offers two marks (inner bull) and is crucial for final closure. Many players leave the bull until last because it's harder to score on consistently once closed (you need to hit the bullseye itself for points, not the 25 ring). Controlling the bullseye race is often the key to victory.

4. The Checkout Mindset

When you close your last number (often the bullseye), you must have a higher score than your opponent. This means you should be scoring aggressively on your closed numbers throughout the game. Don't just close numbers; pile on points. A 100-point lead when you close your last number is a comfortable win. A 10-point lead is a nail-biter.

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: Can I score points on a number before it's closed?
A: No. Marks only count for closing. Points are only awarded after a number has three marks and is officially closed. A treble 20 on your first throw closes 20 but scores you 0 points for that hit. Your next hit on 20 will score.

Q: What's the difference between the outer and inner bull?
**A: The outer bull (green 25 ring) counts as one mark towards closing the bull. The inner bull (red/gold center) counts as two marks. For scoring after the bull is closed, the outer bull scores 25 points, and the inner bull scores 50 points.

Q: Is there a "must finish on a double" rule like in 501?
**A: No. The only win condition is to close all numbers and have a higher score. There is no specific double or bullseye checkout required. The final, winning dart can be a single hit on any closed number that gives you the decisive point lead.

Q: What is "Cricket 200" or other variants?
**A: These are popular variations. Cricket 200 requires you to close the numbers 15-20 and bullseye, and score at least 200 points to win. This emphasizes scoring more. Other variants might change the required numbers (e.g., only 20, 19, 18, and bull) or play to a specific point total. Always clarify the "win condition" before starting.

Practice Drills to Build Your Cricket Skill

• The Close-Out Drill: Start with all numbers open. Using three darts, try to close the number 20 in one turn. Focus on hitting treble 20 (3 marks) or a combination like treble 20 + single 20 (4 marks, overkill but good practice). Then move to 19, 18, etc.
• The Scoring Drill: Close one number (e.g., 20). Now, for 10 turns (30 darts), throw only at the 20 segment. Count your total score. Aim to consistently score 40+ per turn (e.g., S20, S20 = 40; T20, S20 = 80). This builds the muscle memory for farming points.
• The Bullseye Challenge: With no other numbers closed, practice hitting the bullseye. Start by trying to get one mark (outer bull) in three darts. Then try for two marks (inner bull + outer bull, or two inner bulls). This is vital for closing the final number.

The Mental Game: Composure Under Pressure

Cricket darts is as much a psychological battle as a physical one. When your opponent is closing their last number, the pressure mounts. The key is to focus on your own game. If you’ve built a solid lead through consistent scoring, trust your work. If you’re behind, you might need to take risks—like aiming for a treble to close a number faster or going for a big score on a closed 20 to catch up. Never let the scoreboard intimidate you; treat every three-dart turn as a fresh opportunity to execute your plan.

Conclusion: Your Journey to Cricket Mastery Starts Now

Learning how to play cricket on darts opens a door to one of the most engaging and strategic games in the sport. It’s a beautiful blend of precision targeting, tactical number management, and relentless point-scoring. Remember the pillars: close the high numbers first, score relentlessly on your closed targets, and use your darts defensively to slow your opponent. Study the calm mastery of legends like Phil Taylor, but forge your own style through dedicated practice. Grab your darts, set up the scoreboard for 15-20 and bull, and start throwing. The satisfying thwack of a dart in the treble 20, the strategic marking of an 'X', and the triumphant shout of "Cricket!" await. The oche is your battlefield; now go and own your numbers.