Cricket Darts Rules: How to Play and Score

Cricket is a darts game for two players or two teams. The goal is to "close" the numbers 15 through 20 and the bullseye before your opponent, while scoring points on numbers your opponent has not closed.

The numbers

Only 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and the bull count. Everything else on the board scores nothing.

Marks and closing

Hit	Marks
Single	1 mark
Double ring	2 marks
Treble ring	3 marks
Outer bull	1 mark on the bull
Inner bull	2 marks on the bull

Three marks on a number "close" it for you. On the scoreboard, marks are usually written as a slash, an X and then a circled X.

Scoring points

• Once you have closed a number and your opponent has not, extra hits on it score its face value (a treble 20 is 60 points; the bull counts 25).
• Once both players have closed a number, it is dead for scoring.

Winning

The winner is the first player to close all seven targets and have an equal or higher points total. If you close everything but are behind on points, you must keep scoring on open numbers to catch up.

Cut-throat cricket

A popular variant for three or more players: points you score are added to your opponents' totals, and the lowest score wins.

Strategy

• Start with 20 and 19, the biggest numbers.
• Close numbers where your opponent is scoring, to stop the points.
• Do not chase points so long that you leave numbers open.

More bar and backyard games: golf card game rules.