How to Play Cricket Darts: Official Rules, Scoring, and Strategy

Cricket is one of the most popular dart games in the world, played in homes, pubs, and competitive tournaments globally. Unlike simple countdown games like 501, Cricket requires a mix of accurate hitting and tactical decision-making. Whether you are using our free digital cricket darts scoreboard or scoring on a traditional scoreboard, mastering the rules is essential for winning.

The Objective of Cricket Darts

The main goal in Cricket darts is to "close" a specific set of numbers on the board and accumulate the highest point total. The game is typically played between two players or two teams. To win the game, a player must be the first to close all required numbers and have an equal or higher score than their opponent.

The In-Play Numbers

In standard Cricket, only a subset of the dartboard is used. Targets hit outside of these numbers do not count toward your score or your status. The valid target zones are:

• 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15

• The Bullseye (Outer and Inner Bull)

How to "Close" a Number

To close a number, a player must hit that specific target a total of three times. Hits are cumulative across turns. The segments on the dartboard alter the count as follows:

• Single Segment: Counts as 1 hit.

• Double Ring (Outer Ring): Counts as 2 hits.

• Triple Ring (Inner Ring): Counts as 3 hits (instantly closes a single number).

• Outer Bullseye: Counts as 1 hit toward the bullseye.

• Inner Bullseye (Double Bull): Counts as 2 hits toward the bullseye.

Scoring Points in Cricket Darts

Once you have hit a number three times, that number is considered open for you to score points on, provided your opponent has not closed it yet.

• If you hit an open number, you gain points equal to the value of that segment (e.g., hitting a single 20 awards 20 points; hitting a triple 20 awards 60 points).

• Once both players have hit a specific number three times, that number becomes closed. No further points can be scored on it by either player for the rest of the game.

Winning the Game

A game of Cricket darts ends immediately when a player satisfies two conditions simultaneously:

• They have closed all numbers from 15 through 20, plus the Bullseye.

• Their total score is equal to or higher than the opponent's score.

If you close all your numbers but are behind on points, you must continue throwing at your open numbers to catch up or surpass your opponent's score before they finish closing their targets.

Top Cricket Darts Strategies

To move from a beginner to an advanced player, keep these tactical tips in mind while playing:

• Always Chase Points First: If your opponent is ahead on points, do not keep trying to close new numbers. Focus on your open numbers to erase their point lead.

• Secure the 20s: The 20 segment offers the highest scoring potential. Closing and protecting the 20s early gives you a major point engine.

• Do Not Ignore the Bullseye: The bullseye requires three total marks (with double bulls counting as two). It is often the hardest target to close at the end of the game, so chip away at it if your scoring numbers are safe.

Welcome to CricketDarts.net

This is a super sleek and intuitive online scoreboard that makes it easy for up to 4 players to track their cricket darts matches in real-time. It’s a great way for players to focus on the game rather than the math!

How to Use the Site

Large iPads work best.

Remember to set your screen not to sleep.

• Select number of Players.

• Pick a Color for each column.

• Enter Name for each column. For Teams, enter two names per column.

• Helpful note: Tap to the right of existing text, so backspace can be used to erase existing text. Then type name or names you desire. Use Enter/Return to enter second name.

• Tap cell to add one mark at a time.

• 3 marks opens a target for a player. Once open, a player can score until the opponent closes the target with 3 marks.

• Hold cell to undo a mark. Remain still while holding.

• Tap button labeled "Press to End Turn" at the end of each turn to increment player/round

• Hold the "Press to End Turn" button to undo incremented player/round. Remain still while holding.

• First Player/Team to 3-mark each number and have a high score wins.

• Refresh Page to Start Over.

Thank you for visiting CricketDarts.net