How to Play Cricket Darts (Rules, Scoring, Strategies)

Cricket darts is the most popular of all the dart games. If you see people playing darts in a pub or on TV, there is a very good chance that they are playing cricket. Cricket darts is the most popular game in the United States but it is often called Mickey Mouse in England.

Cricket darts is also known as : Tactics, Horse and Carriage, Coach and Horses, The Game , Faldo, Beds and Bulls, Oscar Boscar and Pointy Throwies.

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Cricket Darts Rules

The rules of cricket darts are simple!

The object of the game is to hit three of each number, 15 through 20, as well as hit three bull's eyes. You may hit the numbers in any order, most often people go for the highest numbers first though.

You want to be the first person to "close" the number. You close a number by hitting the number three times. Hitting the double counts as two hits and hitting the triple counts as three.

The first person to close a number owns that number and can score points on it until the other player closes it as well. Taking this into account, if on the very first round you were to hit a double 20 and two single 20s, you would close the 20 out as well as score 20 points.

Once both players have closed a number, the number is dead and you can no longer score points on it. In order to win you have to be the first person to close all the numbers, 15-20, the bull's-eye and to be either even or ahead in points.

The triple ring also gives you the most points if you are trying to boost your score. There are two objectives to a game of cricket. The first objective is to close all of the numbers; the second objective is to score points. You must be at least tied in points to win.

Scoring points is where the game becomes really interesting and where you must develop a strategy. You can only score on numbers that you have closed and your opponent has not; once both players have closed a number, no one can score points off of it. 

During play you must decide whether to go for more points or whether to close more numbers; it is a delicate balance and you must do both in order to be successful. 

With the added element of points, you can quickly go from being on the defensive to leading the game with a few accurately placed darts.

The best strategy is to aim for the biggest numbers first. Once closed you will be able to score points there if your opponents have not yet done so.Concerning doubles and triples there are two possibilities:

• If you can hit them easily, you might as well target them, this can quickly earn you points, and you will quickly close the areas. 
• If you have more difficulty reaching them, it's better to aim at the "single" zone, it's wider and more attainable. 

It is better to close a zone with three darts than to aim at the triples without being able to get them.The points are used to make you safe from the other players, to get a small head start. It's not very popular to deliberately aim at areas that are already closed to score points. When an opponent closes an area, you will have to choose, depending on the progress of the game, between trying to close it in your turn, or scoring some points.

You have to take into account not only the point spread and the number of closed zones, but also the numbers you like to play or not to play.A weaker player may try to score points whenever he has the opportunity to do so, in order to delay the best players to the finish. The best players will try to close the zones first.

Cricket Tips

• When you are trailing in points, you have two options available to you. You can attempt to close the number(s) that your competitor is scoring on or you can try throwing for points yourself. What you do here is a judgement call that will depend on several factors such as your score, the numbers open/closed, and on the players.
• Avoid building up an excessive amount of points; this is called point mongering and is looked down upon and considered unsportsmanlike.
• Going first in cricket can be a big advantage.
• When you are ahead in points, focus on closing numbers, especially those that your competition has already closed and scoring with. Make sure that you always maintain a comfortable lead though; you want your opponent to throw at least one dart, per turn, on points and not on closing numbers.
• Strategy is incredibly important in cricket. It is very important to think about the game; the better you understand the strategies, the better the player you will be.

Difference between US and UK Cricket Darts

The thing to remember is that there's a big difference between the US form of cricket darts and its UK form.

"Cricket" in the US is known in the UK as "Tactics" and is generally played with the numbers 20 to 12 written vertically down the board.

Before a player can score on a number, he needs to obtain that number 3 times. If he hits that number 3 times then the other player can't score on that specific number.

The question is why Americans call this form "cricket" and not "tactics" like in the UK?

The game played in the UK is a dart game based on the English traditional field game of cricket.

Cricket Variations

Now, let's have a look at some of the most popular cricket darts variations!

Cricket Without Points

The game is the same as traditional cricket except that there are no points involved; you just need to be the first person to close 15-20 and the bull's-eye.

Extended Cricket

Played just like normal cricket but in this variation you add the number 10-14 into the game. You can play this variation with or without points.

Call Cricket

In this game you must call out what you are shooting for before you throw. So if you call for 20s and hit 18, the dart does not count.

Conclusion

The whole point of the game is to develop your own strategy, according to your level and your favourite numbers. You have to anticipate and try to outwit your opponents' strategies and playing habits.

My last advices to progress in cricket darts: choose your darts well and learn how to throw them like a pro!

Feel free to post your own strategies and comments!