In addition to the standard 501 Double Out, there are several other games that can be played on a darts evening. One of the most popular , both in soft-tip and steel-tip darts , is darts cricket .
But there are several special features to be observed in cricket, because cricket is often played according to different rules .
In this blog post, we will introduce you to the most common variations and go into more detail about the rules of dart cricket.
Dart Cricket – the perfect change from the usual 501-DO
There's a game that's equally well-known in both soft tip and steel tip darts. It's called darts cricket. This is the name by which the game of darts cricket has become most popular so far.
In the past, there were other names for the same game – Tactics or Mickey Mouse . Personally, I like the name Tactics best. This is because dart cricket actually involves tactics , not just scoring.
Sometimes it makes sense to hit a field that your opponent doesn't have that good control over and victory is within your grasp.
The Dart Cricket Rules – there is no one right way
Cricket has numerous rules and variations that allow for a variety of game styles. We'll start with the version that's currently the most popular for steel darts—partly because even apps now offer this game, in which the rules obviously don't allow for variations.
The following Dart Cricket instructions apply, which I will explain in more detail to give you an insight into how Darts Cricket actually works.
In this variant, the fields from 15 to 20 and the bull's-eye are relevant. The goal is to hit these fields at least three times to "close" the field.
The following also applies: A hit in the singles segment gives you one point, a hit in the doubles segment gives you two points, and if you even hit the triples, you get three points. If you manage to hit three points on the 15-segment before your opponent, you can increase your score with further hits in the 15-segment – but only as long as your opponent hasn't also hit the field three times.
To put it a little more clearly: You start with a score of 0. Now you need to get three hits in the 15-point segment to close the field. You don't receive any "real" points on the scoreboard for this.
You only receive this when you have closed the field, your opponent hasn't yet, and you now have the next hits in the 15. Then you are credited with exactly the number of points you have thrown.
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Practical example of the darts cricket game
A practical example: I hit the 15 three times, but my opponent only twice. This closes the field for me, and I can continue to shoot at the 15 to score.
Now, in my next shot, I hit the double 15, the single 15, and the 10. I am now awarded a total of 45 points (15 + D15 = 45). The hit on the 10 is ignored, as this segment has no significance in dart cricket (remember: only the numbers from 15 to 20 and the bull's-eye are relevant !).
If my opponent hits the 15 again and has now closed it too, it continues with the 16. In the end, the goal is to close all the fields with which you play the cricket darts game as quickly as possible and then score points before your opponent does.
If you're in the lead on the scoreboard, the game ends when you've hit each square three times . From that point on, your opponent has no chance to increase their score.
Many different darts cricket variants in circulation
While the explanations for the game of darts may seem complicated at first, I can assure you that this is absolutely not the case. You'll realize this after playing two or three rounds of cricket with a few friends.
But the beauty of cricket in darts is that there are many ways and variations to play darts.
Contrary to the above description of increasing your own points account, there is also a variant in which the goal is to score as few points as possible .
How can that be, you might ask? There's a very simple explanation: In this variant , starting with the fourth hit in a segment, you don't increase your own points, but rather the scores of all other players who haven't yet closed the field with three hits.
This is exactly why darts cricket is so much fun, especially with three or four players.
And this is exactly where the concept of "tactics" comes into play. It's not absolutely necessary for all players to start on the same square. So, I can start on the 20, while my teammates start on the 18 or even the bull's-eye. Just try it yourself; the game has its own special appeal.
Dart Cricket Template and Darts Cricket Counter online
While many electronic dart machines allow for various variations of cricket , it is particularly advantageous for steel dart players if they do not have to write something on paper after each shot.
For this reason, there are templates for cricket dart games or apps that make it easy for you.
In addition to our own cricket dart template, which you can download, you also have the option of downloading the Dartcounter app to use it as a darts cricket counter.
Exotic dart cricket variants
In addition to the classic cricket we've just introduced to you, you can, as mentioned , make the game even more crazy and exotic . For example, this is possible with the following game options:
Variant 1
Especially with e-darts you can set the machine to spit out random numbers on which you can play cricket.
Variant 2
With the Pick It option, dart players can choose the targets they want to hit. This is also possible with steel darts, of course, as you can easily determine in advance what your cricket round will look like.
Variant 3
This variant, in which you must score exactly three hits, is more for advanced players. If you accidentally hit the segment four times, your opponent gets the points .
In this dart game, it's not possible to score points yourself . It all depends on the quality of your opponent . The idea is to avoid a situation where a player who hits the 20 twice doesn't accidentally hit the D20 and is rewarded for it, but instead is penalized. It's a tough approach, but a good incentive for stronger players.
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