Cricket darts rules
By Pierre, updated
Cricket is played on seven targets only: 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and the bull. You hit each one three times to close it, then score points on the ones you've closed, as long as your opponent hasn't closed them too.
Close or score: that choice is the whole of Cricket. Play it one against one or with several players, each for themselves.
The aim
Close 15 to 20 and the bull before the others, scoring more points than them.
Marks
Only the game's numbers count: 15 to 20 and the bull. A single is one mark, a double two, a treble three. On the bull, the outer ring is one mark, the bullseye two.
Three marks close a number for you.
Points
On a number you've closed, each extra mark scores its value for you, as long as an opponent hasn't closed it.
Once everyone has closed a number, it scores nothing.
The finish
The first to close everything without having fewer points than anyone else wins.
After 20 rounds, the most points win; if tied, the most marks.
An example
You throw treble 20: three marks, 20 is closed for you. Your second dart hits single 20; your opponent hasn't closed 20, so you score 20 points. The third goes in double 19: two marks on 19, one to go.
Next turn, your opponent puts three marks on 20. Now 20 is closed for everyone: it scores nothing for anybody.
Variants
- Cut-throat: the points go to the others. On a number you've closed, each extra mark gives its value to every opponent who hasn't closed it, and the fewest points wins. With three or more, everyone wants to load up the leader.
- Crazy cricket: six numbers drawn at random instead of 15 to 20, plus the bull. At the start of each round, a number nobody has hit yet is swapped for another.
- Number of rounds: on Bullcast, a game stops after 15 or 20 rounds, or never. At the limit, the most points wins, and on a tie, the most marks.
On Bullcast
On Bullcast, standard Cricket is free, without an account: the TV shows everyone's marks like the chalkboard. Cut-throat and Crazy cricket come with Bullcast Complete, and are open to everyone on a Bullcast pub's board.
Questions
In what order should I close the numbers?
Any order you like, no rule imposes one. Starting with 20 is common: it scores the most once closed.
What's the bull worth in Cricket?
The outer bull is one mark, the bullseye two. Once the bull is closed, each extra mark scores 25 points.
Can you win without the most points?
No: you must have closed everything and have at least as many points as each of the others. If you close everything while behind, you still have to score to get ahead.
How many players?
From 1 to 8 on Bullcast. On your own, you can play the practice bot, with Bullcast Complete.