Cricket darts is a tactical game where two players or teams race to close seven targets (numbers 15 to 20 and the bullseye) by hitting each three times (three marks), while scoring points on numbers your opponent hasn't closed yet. This guide explains marks, opening and closing numbers, scoring rules, the Cut-Throat variant, and strategy.
What Is Cricket?
Cricket is a strategic dart game played between two players or two teams. Unlike X01, where you race to reduce a fixed score to zero, Cricket is about controlling territory on the board. You win by closing all the required numbers and the bullseye before your opponent, while maintaining an equal or higher score. It is one of the most popular dart game formats in North America and is widely enjoyed worldwide.
What do you need to play Cricket darts?
Cricket uses a standard dartboard. Only seven targets are in play: the numbers 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and the bullseye. Each player takes three darts per turn. No special equipment is needed: just track marks alongside each number on a scoreboard or, more conveniently, let 9Darter handle it automatically.
How do you play Cricket darts?
- Set up the board. Only numbers 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and the bullseye are in play. Each player uses three darts per turn.
- Accumulate three marks on each number to open it. A single counts as one mark, a double as two marks, and a treble as three marks in a single dart. Three marks opens a number for you.
- Score points on your open numbers. Once you have opened a number and your opponent has not yet opened it, each additional hit on that number scores points equal to its face value (e.g., hitting 20 scores 20 points). The bullseye: outer bull = 25 per hit, inner bull = 50 per hit.
- Close numbers by matching your opponent. When both players have three marks on the same number, it is closed: no further scoring is possible for either player.
- Win by closing all targets with the highest score. The first player to close all seven targets (15–20 and bull) wins, provided they are not behind on points.
How do you win Cricket darts?
The game ends when one player has closed all seven targets (15–20 and bull). If both players have closed all targets, the player with the higher point score wins. If the scores are tied and all targets are closed, the game is a draw (very rare in practice).
A key strategic point: you don't want to score points on a number if your opponent has already closed it, those points are wasted effort. Good Cricket play is about reading the board state and deciding whether to score or close.
What is Cut-Throat Cricket?
In Cut-Throat Cricket (a popular variant), the scoring logic is reversed: extra hits on an open number are added to your opponent's score rather than your own. The goal is to keep your score as low as possible. The player with the lowest score when all numbers are closed wins. This creates a very different and often more aggressive tactical dynamic.
| Rule | Standard Cricket | Cut-Throat Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Points on open number | Added to your score | Added to opponent's score |
| Winning condition | Close all targets with the highest score | Close all targets with the lowest score |
| Strategy focus | Close numbers and outscore your opponent | Force opponents to accumulate points |
What are the best Cricket darts strategy tips?
- Start with 20s. Opening 20 first gives you the highest-value scoring opportunity early in the game.
- Watch your opponent's board. If your opponent is close to opening a number you haven't touched yet, switch to close it first before they start scoring on it.
- Don't over-score on closed numbers. Once both players have opened a number, every dart thrown at it is wasted. Shift to the next open target.
Play Cricket with 9Darter
9Darter tracks every mark for each number in real time, shows which numbers are open or closed, and automatically calculates scores for both players. No scoreboard needed: just focus on the game.