Cricket Dart Rules: Printable Cheat Sheet

Searching for a comprehensive guide to understand and follow cricket dart rules? Look no further. This article simplifies the game’s rules for you, ensuring a smooth, enjoyable experience whether you’re a beginner or refining your skills.

Let’s dive into the core aspects of cricket darts, starting with the fundamental rules that make the game tick.

Objective and Gameplay Basics

Cricket darts is a popular pub game, played with three darts per turn. The objective is straightforward: close numbers on a standard dartboard (20 to 15) before your opponent. To ‘close’ a number, hit three darts in that segment before your opponent does.

A game typically starts with ’20’ and ends with ’15’. The player who successfully closes ’15’ first, winning the game. Now, let’s discuss essential rules and strategies.

Starting the Game: Opening and Closing Numbers

‘20’ should be the first number opened and closed in the game. Each player must hit a double or a single within the ’20’ segment to open it. The first player to do so opens the game and begins the sequence.

Once a player opens ’20’, the game now proceeds sequentially, with ’19’, ’18’, and so forth, until ’15’. Every number must be closed in sequence; you can’t, for instance, close ’17’ before ’16’.

Scoring and Pointing

When a player closes a number, they score points for the remaining unclosed numbers. These points are called the ‘inning’. If a player closes the ’20’, they score 20 points, and the next player must now open and close ’19’.

Players can also earn additional points by hitting a ‘double’ or ‘treble’ within a closed number. A double is worth double points, while a treble is triple. This strategy adds an exciting element to the game, encouraging skill and precision.

Winning the Game: Rounding and Bullseye

After each player has closed all numbers, they can ’round’ the game to victory. To do this, players accumulate points by aiming at the ‘bullseye’ – the center of the dartboard.

The bullseye is worth 50 points, but if a player lands a dart in the outer bull (the red circle around the bullseye), they score 25 points. Hitting this area is a valuable strategy to maximize your score and increase your chances of winning.

Busting: A Word of Caution

A player ‘busts’ if they score more points in a turn than necessary to win the game. In such cases, their score for that turn is zero, and the opposing player gains a valuable advantage. To avoid this, keep track of your points and the game’s progression.

Seasoned players advise calculating your score mentally during each turn to prevent busting and maintain your lead in the game.

The beauty of cricket darts lies in its simplicity and flexibility. It’s easy to learn but challenging to master, making it an entertaining pastime for enthusiasts worldwide. So, gather your friends, set up a dartboard, and start practicing. Remember to follow these rules and enjoy the thrill of this classic pub game!