Darts Cricket Rules : Cut-Throat & Classic
Cricket is arguably the most strategic and exciting game after 501. Combining precision, calculation, and tactics, Cricket forces you to adapt your game in real time based on your opponent’s moves. In this comprehensive guide, we explain everything you need to know about Cricket:
Step-by-step official rules
Unique scoring system using slashes and circles
How to open and close numbers
Winning strategies to dominate your opponents
The explosive Cut-Throat variant
Cricket: The ultimate strategy game
A true phenomenon in American bars and increasingly popular in Europe, Cricket darts is a clever mix of offense (scoring points) and defense (preventing your opponent from scoring).
The objective: Be the first to close all the numbers in play (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and the bullseye) while having a score equal to or higher than your opponent’s.
How it works: Two players (or teams) compete to "open" and then "close" specific segments of the board, while scoring points on the numbers the opponent hasn’t closed yet.
Why is Cricket so popular?
In the United States, Cricket is the #1 game in bars and amateur leagues, even surpassing 501 in popularity. In Europe and the United Kingdom, although 501 remains king, Cricket is rapidly gaining ground thanks to its unique strategic dimension.
The advantages of Cricket:
Pure strategy: Every turn requires a tactical decision (attack or defend?)
Opponent interaction: You must constantly react to what your opponent is doing
Less mental math: Unlike 501, there are no complex subtractions
Accessibility: No need to master doubles to get started
Variety: Every game is different depending on the opening and closing moves
Regulatory distance and height for playing Darts Cricket
Before you start playing Cricket, it’s crucial to set up your dartboard correctly according to official standards.
For more details on dartboard height and distance, you can read our dedicated article. There are some nuances to be aware of, such as adjustments based on the type of target, the players’ ages, and gender.
The 7 segments of Cricket: Which numbers to aim for?
In Cricket, only 7 segments are in play; all other numbers (1 through 14) do not count. If your dart lands in the 10, 5, or 1, it scores nothing—it’s as if you missed the target entirely.
20 (the highest)
19
18
17
16
15 (lowest)
Bullseye (center of the target)
These 7 segments are universal; whether you’re playing Cricket in the US, France, the UK, or Japan, the numbers are always the same.
How do you win a game of Cricket in darts?
To win a game of Cricket, you must meet TWO conditions simultaneously:
Condition 1: Have closed ALL 7 segments (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, Bullseye)
Condition 2: Have a score greater than or equal to your opponent’s
Both conditions are MANDATORY. If you fulfill one but not the other, the game continues.
You close everything first + you have the higher score
→ Instant victory! Even if your opponent hasn’t finished closing their numbers.
You close everything first, but your opponent has MORE points
→ The game continues, but with a huge disadvantage for you: you can NO LONGER score points (all your numbers are closed).
Your opponent simply needs to finish closing their remaining numbers, and they win by maintaining their point lead.
Both players close all their numbers
→ The player with the highest score wins. In the event of a perfect tie (very rare): A draw or an overtime round, depending on league rules.
One player closes everything first with an EQUAL score
→ Victory for the player who closed everything (conditions 1 + 2 met, even in the event of a tie).
Opening and closing a number: The heart of the game
What does it mean to open a number?
"Opening" a number means being the first of the two players to accumulate 3 marks on it.
Consequence of an open number: Once you have 3 marks on a number and your opponent has fewer than 3, that number is "open" to you. This means you can now score points on it with every additional turn.
Example:
You have 3 marks on the 20 (⊗)
Your opponent has 1 mark on the 20 (/)
The 20 is open to you = you can score on it
What does it mean to close a number (for the board)?
"Closing" a number on the board occurs when BOTH players have hit 3 or more darts on that number.
Consequence: The number is permanently closed; no one can score points on it anymore. Any dart that lands on that number for the rest of the game no longer counts at all.
Example:
You have 3 hits on the 20 (⊗)
Your opponent just hit their 3rd hit on the 20 (⊗)
The 20 is now closed for the board = neither player can score on it anymore
Scoring on the board: Often, the number is crossed out or highlighted to show that it is closed for both players.
How to Score Points in Cricket
Unlike 501, where every shot always scores points, in Cricket, you score points on a number ONLY if:
You have 3 or more hits on that number (you have closed it)
Your opponent has fewer than 3 hits on that number (they have NOT closed it)
You hit that number again
If all 3 of these conditions are met: Each additional hit on that number earns you points equal to the segment’s value. We’ll break down all the terms step by step in this article.
Point Values
Points in Cricket correspond to the face value of the segment hit, multiplied by the zone:
On numbers 15–20:
Single 20 = 20 points
Double 20 = 40 points (20 × 2)
Triple 20 = 60 points (20 × 3)
On the Bullseye:
Outer Bull = 25 points
Inner bull = 50 points
The scoring system in Cricket: Understanding the marks
Cricket uses a unique visual scoring system with "marks." A mark represents a "successful hit" on one of the 7 segments in play; it is the basic unit of Cricket.
Single (wide zone) = 1 mark
Double (thin outer ring) = 2 marks
Triple (thin inner ring) = 3 marks
Outer bubble = 1 mark
Inner bullseye = 2 marks
Example: If you hit a double 20, you get 2 points on the 20 segment. If you hit a triple 19, you get 3 points on the 19 segment.
Purpose of the 3 marks
To "close" a number (i.e., to start scoring points on it), you must accumulate exactly 3 marks on that segment.
3× single (1+1+1 = 3 marks)
1× double + 1× single (2+1 = 3 marks)
1× triple (3 marks in a single shot!)
Inner bubble + outer bubble (2+1 = 3 marks)
Important: Marks accumulate over multiple rounds. If you hit 1 single on round 1 and 2 singles on round 3, you have your 3 marks.
Scoring on the board: The visual system
Cricket uses a system of symbols to visually record runs. It’s simple and universal.
1 run: A diagonal slash /
When you hit your first run on a number, a single slash is drawn.
20: /
2 runs: An X (two crossed slashes) ✗
When you get your second run, the two slashes are crossed to form an X.
20: ✗
Note: If you hit a double (2 runs) directly, you draw the X right away without drawing the slash first.
3 marks: A circle ○ or ⊗
When you reach 3 marks, the number is "closed" for you. You circle the X.
20: ⊗
Variation: Some players simply draw a circle ○ without the X inside. Both notations mean the same thing: 3 marks = closed.
Shortcut: If you hit a triple (3 marks in one go), you can draw a circle directly, without using the slash and the X.
More than 3 marks: Points are recorded
If you have already closed a number (3 marks) and continue to hit it, these additional marks become points (see next section). They are noted next to the board, not inside the circle.
Example of a scoreboard
Here is what a typical Cricket scoreboard looks like:
Alice | 20 19 18 17 16 15 Bull | Bob
| |
38 | ⊗ ✗ / ○ | 0
Reading:
Alice has closed the 20 (⊗), has 2 marks on the 19 (✗), 1 mark on the 18 (/), and has closed the 17 (○)
Bob hasn’t scored anything yet
Alice has 38 points, Bob has 0
Determining who starts the game in Cricket
Each player throws a dart at the bullseye. The player whose dart is closest to the center starts the game.
Alternating: Players take turns throwing, with each player getting 3 darts per turn (like in 501).
Cut-Throat Cricket: The explosive variant
Cut-Throat (sometimes spelled "Cutthroat") is a variation of Cricket that completely reverses the logic of the game. It’s chaotic, unpredictable, and absolutely hilarious!
Cut-Throat Rules
The Big Flip: The LOWEST Score Wins
In standard Cricket, you want the HIGHEST score. In Cut-Throat, you want the LOWEST score!
Reversed Mechanism:
When you score points on a number you’ve closed...
...those points are ADDED to YOUR OPPONENTS’ scores
...but ONLY for those who have NOT yet closed that number
You, on the other hand, gain nothing (or even end up with 0)
Concrete example
Situation:
You have closed the 20 (⊗)
Opponent A did not close the 20 (only 1 point)
Opponent B closed the 20 (⊗)
Your turn: You hit a triple 20 (60 points)
Result:
+60 points for Opponent A (he hadn’t closed the 20) ❌ Too bad for him!
+0 points for Opponent B (he had closed the 20) ✅ He is protected
+0 points for you ✅ You don’t score any points
Consequence: Opponent A is now further from victory (higher score = worse).
Cut-Throat Winning Conditions
To win at Cut-Throat:
Close ALL the numbers (as in standard Cricket)
Have the LOWEST score (unlike in standard Cricket)
Special Cases:
If everyone closes everything: The lowest score wins
If a player closes everything with 0 points: Instant win!
Tie for lowest score: The player who closed first wins
Cut-Throat Strategy: Everything is different!
Cut-Throat requires an approach that is radically different from standard Cricket.
Priority #1: Close FAST
In Cut-Throat, closing is a form of protection. As long as a number isn’t closed, your opponents can score points on it.
Tactic:
Close all 7 numbers as quickly as possible
DO NOT try to score (it adds points to the others)
Ultra-defensive play
Priority #2: Attack your opponents’ open numbers
If an opponent has an open number (closed for them, not for you), that’s your target!
Tactic:
Identify the numbers that opponents have closed and that you haven’t closed
Score MASSIVELY on them to inflict points on them
Create huge score gaps
The trap: Don’t shoot yourself in the foot
Warning! If YOU have a covered number and your opponents have also covered it, targeting that number does nothing for anyone. It’s a wasted turn.
Golden rule: Target ONLY numbers where at least one opponent is NOT protected (does not have 3 marks).
Cricket Game: Turn-by-turn example with commentary
Nothing beats a concrete example to understand Cricket in action. Let’s follow a complete game between Alice and Bob.
Setup
Alice and Bob each throw a dart at the bullseye to determine who goes first. Alice is closer, so she goes first.
Initial board:
Alice: 0 | 20 19 18 17 16 15 Bull | 0: Bob
Turn 1 - Alice
Throw: Single 20 + Single 20 + Single 18
Result:
2 hits on the 20 (✗)
1 hit on the 18 (/)
No points scored (nothing closed yet)
Scoreboard:
Alice: 0 | ✗ - / - - - - | 0: Bob
Round 1 - Bob
Roll: Triple 20 + Single 1 (doesn't count) + Single 19
Result:
3 hits on 20 in one go (⊗) thanks to the triple
1 hit on 19 (/)
The 1 doesn't count in Cricket
No points yet (Alice hasn’t closed the 20)
Scoreboard:
Alice: 0 | ✗ - / - - - - | 0: Bob
⊗ / - - - - -
Round 2 - Alice
Roll: Single 20 + Double 19 + Single 5 (doesn't count)
Result:
Had 2 hits on 20, + 1 = 3 hits (⊗)
Double 19 = 2 hits, so ✗ on the 19
The 5 doesn’t count
No points: Bob has already closed the 20, so Alice cannot score on it
Scoreboard:
Alice: 0 | ⊗ ✗ / - - - - | 0: Bob
⊗ / - - - - -
Note: The 20 is now closed for the board (both have ⊗). No one else can score on it.
Turn 2 - Bob
Roll: Single 19 + Single 19 + Single 18
Result:
Had 1 mark on 19, + 2 = 3 marks (⊗)
1 mark on the 18 (/)
No points: Alice hasn't closed the 19 yet
Board:
Alice: 0 | ⊗ ✗ / - - - - | 0: Bob
⊗ ⊗ / - - - -
Note: The 19 is also closed for the board now.
Turn 3 - Alice
Strategy: Alice sees that the 20 and 19 are closed. She must now open a new number to score. She aims for the 18.
Roll: Triple 18 + Single 17 + Single 16
Result:
Had 1 point on 18, + 3 (triple) = 4 points total!
The first 3 hits close the 18 (⊗)
1 extra hit = 18 points (because Bob only has 1 hit on 18)
1 hit on 17 (/)
1 mark on 16 (/)
Total score: 18 points
Table:
Alice: 18 | ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ / / - - | 0: Bob
⊗ ⊗ / - - - -
This is the first scoring of the game!
Turn 3 - Bob
Strategy: Bob is behind (0 pts vs. 18). He needs to quickly close the 18 to prevent Alice from scoring more, then open his own numbers.
Roll: Double 18 + Single 17 + Single 17
Result:
Had 1 mark on 18, + 2 (double) = 3 marks (⊗)
2× single 17 = 2 marks (✗)
No points: The 18 has just been closed, so no scoring is possible
Scoreboard:
Alice: 18 | ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ / / - - | 0: Bob
⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ✗ - - -
Note: The 18 is now closed for the board.
Turn 4 - Alice
Strategy: Alice has a small lead (18 pts). She wants to either increase her lead (open 17 and score) or prevent Bob from scoring (defense).
Roll: Single 17 + Single 17 + Triple 16
Result:
Had 1 point on 17, + 2 = 3 points (⊗)
Triple 16 = 3 hits at once (⊗)
No points this turn: Bob hasn’t opened these numbers yet
Scoreboard:
Alice: 18 | ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ - - | 0: Bob
⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ✗ - - -
Alice has now closed 5 of the 7 numbers! She only has the 15 and the Bull left.
Round 4 - Bob
Strategy: Bob is in big trouble. Alice has closed almost everything. He must quickly close the 17 and the 16 to prevent her from scoring, then open a number to make up the points.
Roll: Single 17 + Double 16 + Single 15
Result:
Had 2 marks on 17, + 1 = 3 marks (⊗)
Double 16 = 2 hits (✗)
1 hit on 15 (/)
No points: Nothing is open for him
Board:
Alice: 18 | ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ - - | 0: Bob
⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ✗ / -
Turn 5 - Alice
Strategy: Alice sees that Bob hasn’t closed the 16. She can score on it! She aims for the 16 to increase her lead.
Roll: Triple 16 + Single 15 + Single 15
Result:
She had already closed out 16 (⊗)
Triple 16 = 48 points! (16 × 3, because Bob has only 2 marks)
2× single 15 = 2 marks (✗)
Total score for this round: 48 points
Scoreboard:
Alice: 66 | ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ✗ - | 0: Bob
⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ✗ / -
Alice takes a huge lead!
Round 5 - Bob
Strategy: Bob MUST close the 16 immediately and try to open a number to score.
Throw: Single 16 + Triple 15 + Single Bull (outer bullseye)
Result:
Had 2 marks on 16, + 1 = 3 marks (⊗) → 16 closed, Alice can no longer score
Triple 15 = 3 marks (⊗) → Bob opens the 15!
Outer bullseye = 1 hit on Bull (/)
No points this round: Alice hasn't closed the 15 yet
Table:
Alice: 66 | ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ✗ - | 0: Bob
⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ /
Round 6 - Alice (Final Round)
Strategy: Alice has closed almost everything except the 15 and the Bull. If she closes them, she automatically wins (66 pts > 0 pts).
Throw: Single 15 + Double Bull (inner bullseye) + (no need for the 3rd)
Result:
Had 2 hits on 15, + 1 = 3 hits (⊗)
Inner Bull = 2 hits (✗)
Note: Bob already had 1 hit on the Bull, but Alice only has 2 hits now
Alice has now closed: 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15... but NOT the Bull (only 2 hits)
She can't win yet!
Wait... Error in my reasoning. Let me correct that:
Actually: Alice had 0 hits on the Bullseye before. Inner bubble = 2 hits (✗).
She must throw her 3rd dart to get her 3rd hit and win.
3rd dart: Single Bull (outer bullseye)
Final result:
1 point on the Bull = 3 points total (⊗)
Alice has now closed ALL the numbers: 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, Bull ✅
Alice has 66 points, Bob has 0 points ✅
ALICE WINS!
Final score:
Alice: 66 | ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ | 0: Bob
⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ /
Alice wins the game in 6 turns! Bob was never able to score any points because Alice consistently closed the numbers before he could take advantage of them.
Game analysis: Alice played a purely offensive strategy by quickly opening the numbers (especially with her triple 18 and triple 16), then scoring before Bob could close them. Bob played too defensively, closing Alice’s numbers without ever opening his own early enough to score points.
Strategies for Dominating at Cricket
Cricket rewards tactical intelligence. Here are the essential strategies to improve your game.
The Opening Strategy: Where to Start?
Classic Approach: 20 → 19 → 18... (recommended)
Logic:
Start with the highest numbers (20, then 19, then 18...)
Maximizes your scoring potential if you open them first
Standard adopted by 90% of players
Advantages:
Easy to follow, no complex thinking required
Higher numbers are worth more points
Your opponent is probably doing the same, so it’s fair
Execution:
Turns 1-2: Aim for 20 until the game ends
Rounds 3-4: Switch to 19
And so on...
Aggressive approach: Your strong zones
Logic:
Identify YOUR most reliable numbers
Start with those to cover them quickly
Example:
If you’re excellent at 19: start with 19
If your triple 18 is better than your triple 20: start with 18
Benefits:
Closes faster thanks to your accuracy
Can surprise an opponent who expects you to start with the 20
Psychological confidence
Risk:
If you miss, you’ve “wasted” moves on a mediocre number
Opportunistic approach: Reactive
Logic:
Observe what the opponent is doing
Quickly close what they open
Prevent them from scoring
Usage:
Against a very aggressive opponent
When you are behind in points
Pure defensive strategy
Attack vs. Defense: The Crucial Timing
Cricket is a game of constant balance between:
Attack: Opening up new runs, scoring runs
Defense: Closing the opponent’s open runs, blocking their scoring
When to play offensively (attack)
✅ Situations favorable for attack:
You have a comfortable lead (20-30+ points)
The opponent has to catch up; they’re under pressure
You can afford to open up new lanes
The opponent has opened nothing or very little
There is no immediate threat of the opponent scoring
Take advantage of this to open up and score
You’re feeling confident, hitting your targets consistently
Positive momentum
Maximize it while it’s working
Offensive tactic:
Temporarily ignore open opposing players
Quickly open up 2-3 different lanes
Score heavily before they close
When to play defensively
⚠️ Situations requiring defense:
Opponent has opened one or more numbers that you haven’t closed
DANGER: He can score on every turn
Priority: Close this number(s) immediately
You are trailing by points (15-20+ points)
You must STOP their scoring above all else
Then catch up with your own openings
Opponent is on a roll, hitting everything
Limit the damage by closing
Don’t let them pull ahead
Defensive tactic:
Prioritize the numbers they’ve opened
Be willing to slow down your own progress
Once closed, go back on the offensive
The perfect balance: Alternate
In reality, a high-level game of Cricket = juggling between attack and defense on every turn.
Example decision:
Situation:
You opened with 20 (⊗), opponent has 1 run (/)
Your opponent just opened with 19 (⊗), you have 0 runs
Your turn: What should you do?
Option A (Offensive): Score on the 20
Potentially score 40–60 points this turn
But your opponent will score on the 19 on their next turn
Option B (Defensive): Block the 19
Block their scoring on the 19
But you don’t score any points this turn
Correct answer: It depends on your point differential!
If you’re leading by 30 points: Defense (shut down the 19)
If you’re tied: Attack (score on the 20)
If you’re behind: Aggressive attack
Bullseye Strategy: The Special Number
The Bullseye is the trickiest part of Cricket:
Why it’s special:
Very small target (especially the inner bubble)
High failure rate even among pros
But it’s worth a lot (25 or 50 points)
Often decisive at the end of the game
When to aim for the Bull
✅ Ideal situations:
End of the game: Only the Bull remains to close out the game
Catching up: You’re trailing by 30–50 points; the Bull can make up the difference
Opponent has opened it: Defensive emergency
You’re accurate at it: If that’s your strong suit
When NOT to aim for the Bull
❌ Situations to avoid:
Early in the game: Too risky, stick to the high numbers
Other open numbers: Prioritize closing/opening the 15-20s first
You’re not accurate: If you miss it often, avoid it
Tip: The Bull is usually the last number you close in Cricket. Save it for last when you have no other choice.
The 5-mark, 7-mark, and 9-mark: Measuring your performance
These terms measure your offensive performance per turn.
Definitions
5-mark: Scoring 5 marks in a single turn (3 darts)
Examples of a 5-mark:
Triple (3) + 2× single (2) = 5 marks
Double (2) + triple (3) = 5 marks
Inner bullseye (2) + triple (3) = 5 marks
7-mark: Score 7 marks in a single turn
Examples of 7-mark:
2× triple (6) + single (1) = 7 marks
Triple (3) + 2× double (4) = 7 marks
9-mark: The absolute maximum, 9 marks in one round
Only way: 3× triple in the same frame = 9 marks
Rarity: An extremely rare feat, equivalent to a 180 in 501
Importance of these statistics
Target average:
Beginner: 2–3 marks per round
Intermediate: 3–4 marks per turn
Advanced: 4–5 marks per turn
Expert/Pro: 5+ marks per turn
Purpose: To track your progress. Record your average runs per innings over 10 matches, then try to improve it.
How to Improve at Cricket: Training and Tips
Cricket develops unique skills. Here’s how to improve them.
Specific Cricket Training Exercises
Exercise 1: The Cricket Lap
Objective: Improve consistency across all segments
Procedure:
Aim for 15 until you get 3 marks
Move on to 16, then 17, 18, 19, 20
Finish with the Bullseye (3 hits)
Time the total duration
Time goals:
Beginner: < 30 minutes
Intermediate: < 20 minutes
Advanced: < 15 minutes
Benefit: Familiarity with all aspects of cricket
Exercise 2: 5-mark Challenge
Objective: Increase your average runs per over
Procedure:
Play 10 full rounds (30 darts)
Count the total number of marks scored
Record the result
Score goals:
Beginner: 25–30 points (2.5–3 per round)
Intermediate: 35–45 points (3.5–4.5 per round)
Advanced: 50+ marks (5+ per round)
Progression: Repeat this exercise every week and track your improvement.
Exercise 3: Defensive Simulation
Objective: Practice closing down quickly under pressure
Procedure:
Imagine that the opponent has opened up the 20 and the 19
Your task: Close them down as quickly as possible
Count the number of turns required
Objectives:
Advanced: 2–3 moves to cover both
Intermediate: 3–4 turns
Beginner: 4–6 turns
Benefits: Pressure management, quick reaction time
Key skills to develop
1. Consistency on triples
In cricket, consistently hitting three-run shots is more important than occasionally pulling off a spectacular feat.
Better to:
3× single (3 guaranteed runs)
Than attempting 3× triples and missing (0 runs)
Training: Aim for the 20-run triple, and track your success rate over 30 throws.
2. Quickly reading the scoreboard
In one second, you must see:
Which numbers your opponent has opened
Which numbers you have open
The score difference
Practice: Before each turn, take a 2-second break to analyze the board.
3. Quick mental math
Essential multiplication facts:
20×3 = 60, 19×3 = 57, 18×3 = 54
20×2 = 40, 19×2 = 38, etc.
Training: Flashcards or mental math apps
4. Tactical adaptability
Knowing how to adjust your strategy based on the situation.
Example:
You were aiming for 18
Opponent suddenly opens the 20
Adapt: Switch to the 20 to close it
Common mistakes to avoid
❌ Mistake 1: Aiming for the Bull too early
The Bull is difficult and should be saved for last. Starting there = wasted turns.
✅ Solution: Follow the order 20→19→18→17→16→15→Bull
❌ Mistake 2: Completely ignoring your opponent
Cricket is NOT a solo game. Ignoring what your opponent is doing = disaster.
✅ Solution: Glance at the board before EVERY turn
❌ Mistake 3: Scoring before securing
Trying to score 60 runs on the 20 when the opponent can close it out = risk
✅ Solution: Secure the wicket first, then score
❌ Mistake 4: Always playing the same strategy
Always starting with the 20, no matter the situation = predictable
✅ Solution: Adapt based on your opponent and the situation
❌ Mistake 5: Neglecting defense
Playing ultra-offensively = letting the opponent score heavily
✅ Solution: Balance offense and defense
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions About Cricket
How many runs are needed to close a wicket in cricket?
You need exactly 3 runs to close a wicket in Cricket. You can achieve this in different ways: 3 singles (1+1+1), 1 double + 1 single (2+1), or directly with 1 triple (3 runs in one shot). Once you have 3 runs on a wicket and your opponent has fewer, you can start scoring runs on it.
Can you score before closing a number?
No, you CANNOT score points on a number before closing it (reaching 3 marks). This is a fundamental rule of Cricket: you must first “open” the number by accumulating 3 marks, and only THEN do additional hits on that number earn you points—provided your opponent hasn’t closed it themselves yet.
What happens if I close all the numbers but have fewer points than my opponent?
If you close all the numbers first but have fewer points than your opponent, the game continues BUT you can no longer score points (all your numbers are closed). Your opponent can calmly finish closing their remaining numbers and will win by maintaining their point lead. This is why it’s crucial to manage both closing AND scoring in Cricket.
Does a double count as 2 points in Cricket?
Yes, absolutely! In Cricket, a double counts for 2 points and a triple for 3 points. This is very important tactically: hitting a triple in a single shot immediately closes the number (3 points), while a double gives you a significant advantage (2 points out of the 3 needed). For the bullseye, the inner ring (red) counts for 2 points and the outer ring for 1 point.
What is a 5-mark in Cricket?
A 5-mark is a term used in Cricket to describe a round where you score 5 marks with your 3 darts. For example: hitting a triple (3 marks) + two singles (2 marks) = 5-mark. It is a measure of offensive performance. Advanced players aim for averages of 4–5 marks per round. A 7-mark (7 marks in one turn) is excellent, and a 9-mark (3 triples) is the ultimate feat.
What is Cut-Throat Cricket?
Cut-Throat is a variant of Cricket where the objective is reversed: you want to have the LOWEST score, not the highest. When you score points on a number you’ve closed, those points are added to the scores of your opponents who have NOT yet closed that number. It’s chaotic and a lot of fun, ideal for 3 or more players. The strategy becomes ultra-defensive: close quickly to protect yourself, then attack your opponents’ open numbers.
Can you win at Cricket with 0 points?
Yes! If you close all the numbers (15-20 + Bull) before your opponent AND you both have 0 points, you win. This is possible in a very defensive game where both players constantly close each other’s numbers without ever letting anyone score. It’s rare but legal. Even with 0 points, if you meet both winning conditions (all numbers closed + score ≥ opponent’s), you win.
How long does a game of Cricket last?
A game of Cricket lasts an average of 10 to 15 minutes depending on the players’ skill level. Beginners may take 20–30 minutes because they miss more often and take longer to close out the numbers. Advanced players can finish in 5–10 minutes with quick closes and efficient scoring.
What is the difference between Cricket and 501?
The differences are significant: in 501, you go from 501 to 0 by hitting any number and must finish on a double. In Cricket, you must open/close 7 specific segments (15-20 + Bull) and score more points than your opponent, with no requirement to hit a double. Cricket is much more strategic with an attack/defense dimension, while 501 is more offensive and linear. The mental math also differs: multiplication in Cricket vs. subtraction in 501.
Do you have to play the numbers in order in Cricket?
No, it is NOT mandatory to play the numbers in order (20→19→18...). You can close out the numbers in any order. However, most players follow the descending order (20 first) because it makes sense: the higher numbers are worth more points if you hit them. But tactically, you can choose to target your strong zones first or react to what your opponent is doing.
Can more than 2 players play Cricket?
Yes, Cricket can be played with 3, 4, or even 5 players! The rules remain the same: each player must close all 7 segments and have the highest score. With multiple players, the game becomes more chaotic and strategic because several opponents may have different open numbers. The Cut-Throat variant is particularly fun with 3+ players. With more than 5 players, games become very long.
Is Cricket easier than 501?
Cricket isn’t really “easier” than 501; it’s different. Cricket is more accessible for beginners because you don’t have to master doubles to win, and the mental math is simpler (multiplication vs. subtraction). However, Cricket is more complex strategically with its constant attack/defense decisions. Both games require precision and practice to master. It’s more a matter of personal preference than difficulty.