Hammer cricket darts rules
By Pierre, updated
Hammer cricket comes from the electronic dartboards of American bars. It keeps Cricket's numbers, 20 down to 15, but every round everyone aims at the same number, and each dart is worth more than the one before.
Hit nothing and you take the hammer: points off. Only eight rounds, and the last one can turn everything around.
The aim
The most points in 8 rounds, everyone on the same number: 20, 19, 18, a wild one, 17, 16, 15 and a last wild one.
The visit
Your 1st dart is worth what it hits, the 2nd double that, the 3rd treble. A treble 20 with the 3rd dart scores 180.
In the last round, it's ×1, ×3 and ×5.
Only the round's number counts. On the bull, the outer ring is 25, the bullseye 50.
The hammer
Nothing on the number in three darts: down comes the hammer, taking off three times the number. −60 on 20, −75 on the bull.
The wild rounds
Drawn from 12 to 20 or the bull, they're revealed when their round comes.
The finish
The highest total wins, even below zero. Tied at the top: a tie-break on the bull, then marks per round.
An example
The 20 round. You hit single 20 (20), then single 20 again with your second dart, which counts double (40), then treble 20 with your third, which counts triple (180). Your round is worth 240.
The 17 round: nothing on 17 in three darts. The hammer falls and you lose 51 points, three times the number.
Variants
- Masters: only trebles count, and the bullseye on the bull. For players who hit trebles often.
- Wild rounds: two rounds on a number drawn at random from 12 to 20, or the bull, revealed when its round comes. The second is the last round, where darts count once, three times and five times.
On Bullcast
Hammer cricket comes with Bullcast Complete, and is open to everyone on a Bullcast pub's board. The TV shows the ladder of rounds and what each dart is worth.
Questions
Can you finish below zero?
Yes. The hammer can take you below zero, and the highest total still wins, even a negative one.
What about a tie?
A bull-off, then marks per round, settle it between the leaders.
How many players?
From 1 to 8 on Bullcast, all on the same number every round.