Basic dart Games

If you’re getting into the sport of darts, we’ve got you covered with our primer on the basic dart games. All newcomers should try these games because of how simple they are to learn. In addition, several rounds of darts that require ability are only open to experts. So, as your proficiency with darts improves, you should move on to more advanced games. A large number of dart games, however, are accessible to novice players.

We’ll walk you through learning and mastering the fundamentals of these basic dart games in the most straightforward manner possible. Your darts abilities will improve if you play even just a few rounds of these beginner games.

3 Basic Dart Games

1. Cricket Darts

The standard number of players in a game of cricket darts is two. However, the regulations do not prohibit as many as four players per side. Winners in Cricket are those that open or shut all their cricket numbers first.

What you will need to paly

• Three darts minimum (more if you don’t want to share)
• Darts and a board
• You’ll need a scorecard and a pen to keep track of your progress (or a chalkboard and chalk, or pull up this cricket scoreboard on your phone)

Main ObjectiveObjective of the game

Once numbers 15 through 20 and the bullseye have been “closed out,” the overarching goal of Cricket is for one side to have accumulated more points than the other by the end of the game.

Rules to play cricket game

It’s a game where you take turns shooting three darts at the board and hoping to land on numbers 15, 20, and the bullseye. For any other digit, nothing will occur. To win at Cricket, you need to “close out” the numbers, which means you must score each of the 15-20 targets and the bullseye three times. If you aim for the bullseye, hitting the outer ring will count as one, and hitting the inner circle will count as two, but if you miss the bullseye and hit the inner circle, hitting the outer ring will only count as one.

Consequently, if your team scores within the inner ring of 15 in a game, that will be the final score. If one player finishes a number before the other, they get bonus points until the other player finishes it. Each side may score once on a number until both teams have closed it out. If the score is tied or the final tally favors one group, that team wins.

Scoring

A player wins if they successfully hit all of the numbers on the board three times and the bullseye. Two hits are recorded for a double and three for a triple. A number is considered “opened” after the same player has struck it three times. Each subsequent hit on the opened number awards the corresponding amount of points (for example, a triple 20 awards 60 points) until his opponent strikes the same number three times to shut it and remove it from play. The value of a number is multiplied by two in the double ring and three in the treble (inner) ring.

The inner circle (or double bull) is worth 50 points, while the outside ring (worth 25 points) is the bullseye. A player wins the game when they have opened or closed all of the necessary numbers and bull and has the same amount of points as or more than their opponent. It’s also possible to adopt a more vicious kind of scoring in which points are awarded to all players who don’t have the same number you hit, and the person with the lowest score is declared the winner.

Playing

Huff and Blow was an early variant of the modern game of darts. The dart was blasted via a pipe and aimed toward the board. The story, which had its origins in 1844, claims that one guy pulled the dart within rather than blowing it out. He passed only a short time after. For added entertainment, keep track of your score. Wrestling with the cricket points raises the stakes. A dart that falls in a closed number that your opponent has not closed adds to your score. For instance, if your 15 is closed and your opponent has just one 15, and you throw a triple 15, you will get 45 points. If your opponent throws a triple 15, only the first two will count toward closing the number. The third 15 will be disregarded.

However, you have not yet won the game if you have completed all your numbers (including your bull’s eyes) yet have fewer points than your opponent. It would help if you continued to toss until you have scored as many points as (or more than) your opponent. Extra bull’s-eyes are worth 25 points apiece or 50 points for a double bull’s-eye and must be thrown if you have none remaining.

Playing Cricket well, therefore, involves a lot of planning and strategy. You need to plan and devise cunning strategies to defeat your opponent. It would help if you had a decent aim, but the secret is in your head. An effective strategy is to shut down the highest numbers first and then the lower ones. Why? For this reason, the first player to close with a higher number gets an advantage. The best element of the game is this: For your opponent to score 38 points after completing and throw two 19s after you score 20 points in the first round.

2. Killer darts

Killer darts are one of the basic dart games. You can play Killer Darts with two or more people, and it’s a tonne of fun no matter how many people are involved. Those just starting out may find the games challenging, but they are ideal for training. As the adage goes, “the more, the merrier,” and Killer, an exhilarating and dynamic darts variant, is great for anybody hoping to do just that.

Every darts fan should try to learn Killer since it’s a great time. One of the few games of its kind, it’s ideal for variable group sizes. Moreover, more prominent groups will enjoy Killer’s fast-paced gameplay and intense, comedic tension.

The Killer may be played in several different ways. The rules are reminiscent of the basketball game HORSE. To that end, Killer is an elimination game in which players compete to eliminate one another from the game rather than strive to win by amassing a higher score than their rivals.

What you will need to paly

Killer darts games may run between ten to thirty minutes, depending on how many people compete and how skilled they are. On average, a round of lethal darts will take roughly 20 minutes to complete.

Main ObjectiveObjective of the game

It doesn’t take much planning to win at killer darts. The player with the higher rate of correct plays will often prevail with equal skill levels. One may get an advantage by using specific strategies. Let’s check it out. Depending on the number of participants, it’s best to try for a number that is not immediately next to someone else’s claimed number. Because a dart meant for someone else might quickly rebound off of them and strike you instead.

Some players may be targeted unnecessarily if they cluster their claimed numbers close to one another. One other thing to remember is that you should never wager on the 20 or 19. These are two of the most common numbers that individuals aim for and spend time practicing (You might want to avoid the numbers between 20 and 15 if you are playing with a cricket player). Finally, watch out for the people you go after. This is a delicate balancing act reminiscent of diplomacy. If you repeatedly attack the same player, you risk drawing unwanted attention to yourself.

Rules of the game

• The game begins with each participant tossing a dart with their “off” hand. Once they reach a number, it will be their permanent number until the game is over.
• If two players have the same number, they must switch. If a player’s dart falls on a number already claimed, that player may re-throw the dart until it lands on an empty spot.
• Positive signs have been seen so far. However, being a murderer is the next step. How exactly do you do that, and why would you even want to?
• Being a killer allows you to eliminate your competition once and for all.
• You need to double your number before you can consider yourself a murderer. Even in the first round of the game, if you get a double with your off-hand, you’ll be promoted to the killer rank.
• You win the game and remove them from contention if you get a double on your opponent’s number. When one of them is struck on the double, they both die. Regularly, players have three lives to start, meaning that if they roll three doubles, they are eliminated.

• However, after reaching the killer level, you will lose a life if you murder yourself by hitting your duplicate. (You’re free to get rid of yourself, after all.)
• To win, players must remove all other players from the game. A player is eliminated when their three lives are depleted.

Scoring

There is no ambiguity in the scoring system. Down the left side of the board, write each player’s name or initials in whatever sequence that makes sense to you. You’ll write their assigned number right next to their name. When the rosters are finalized, a line may be drawn down the middle of the scoreboard to denote the two teams’ respective halves. You’ll write their names on one side of the line and then draw three smalls 1’s underneath each to represent the number of years they have left to live. Leave some room between each existence so you can quickly delete one without affecting the others.

You’re finally prepared to begin serious gameplay. Put a K next to a player’s name to denote that they are a killer. If a killer eliminates a target, that target’s life counter decreases by 1. The winner is the player who loses their last life or life.

Playing

First, each dart player, in turn, should toss a dart at the dartboard using their less dominant hand. The dart player’s number will remain the same for the game’s duration. So that everyone can keep track of who hit what, the darts players should put the number next to their names. Players should re-throw their darts until they strike a number if they land on the bullseye. But the exact number can’t be used by more than one participant. If you want to follow this, you must start killing people by doubling your output. The letter k should be placed next to a player’s name when they get a double so that everyone knows they are now a killer. Your weaker dart hand will turn into a lethal weapon when you strike the double of a number. Unless, of course, someone has already taken that one.

To earn the “killer” label, a dart player must focus on eliminating their opponents by hitting doubles. Not only innocent bystanders suffer casualties when a murderer strikes their target number. Players lose just one life for every double they lose. When a player dies, one life is removed from their total. When there is a significant socioeconomic divide between the participants, it’s easy to shift the focus of their efforts. Those still alive after the dust settles are the ones who matter.

3. English Cricket

English Cricket darts are another prominent variant on the darts scene. It’s been one of the most played basic darts games for decades. It’s very competitive and puts your accuracy and precision to the test. Playing English cricket is a formidable challenge to even the most skilled dart players and is excellent training for the two skills. It doesn’t use every possible number on a dartboard, but it does use the highest numbers and the bullseye. Don’t be intimidated if you’ve never played competitive darts before; this is a terrific way to hone your throwing skills.

What you will need to paly

One of the best things about English cricket darts is how few supplies you’ll need to get started. As long as you have enough space for the 7 ft. 9.25 in. Oche, you may play it anywhere in your home.

Main ObjectiveObjective of the game

Depending on the situation, English Cricket Darts may be played with two individuals or two groups. When playing in teams, you may extend the game by increasing the number of marks each bowler must achieve.

Rules of the game

• In English Cricket Darts, the goal is to score three points by hitting the bullseye and the numbers 15–20.
• Three consecutive hits to the same number “close” that number.
• You may get another point by striking a number you have closed out, and your opponent has not.
• One person bats while the other takes the role of bowler.
• The player at the plate always goes up first. In each turn, the bowler and the hitter will each have three pitches to work with.

Scoring

The on-base hitter’s only responsibility is to try to score runs. The hitter has to get at least 40 points to achieve, and any extra points they get are a bonus. It’s possible to rack up 20 bonus points for a perfect 60 with the batter’s three allotted darts.

It is the bowler’s job to prevent the batsman from scoring runs. To achieve this, the bowler has to get ten pins in the target area. There is one mark for the outside ring, one for the inside circle, and two for the bullseye. If the bowler gets 10 points, the defenders take over, and so versa. Once everyone has had a chance to play, the game will end, and the person with the most incredible score will be the winner. It’s not too difficult to keep score while playing English Cricket Darts. Put everyone’s names on a whiteboard or paper. Keep score of each hit to ensure the correct amount is added to your total. If your current score is more than 40, you can get access to the bonus points.

You should also compile a target number list (15-20 and the bullseye). It would help if you made a mark next to the number each time it is drawn. After a number has been struck three times in a row, it is considered “closed out,” and any further hits result in points.

Playing

The first player will toss three darts at the dartboard to set the pace for the game. They plan on shooting at targets 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and the bull’s-eye. A system for keeping count of the times you’ve struck each number is essential. If you’re the bowler, you should aim for the pin spot as often as possible. As the hitter, your ObjectiveObjective is to score as many runs as possible.

Doubles are worth twice as many points as singles. When you get a triple, you get three points. As was previously said, if a player receives three checks on their number, it is officially over. You’ll collect all the points for yourself as long as the other players haven’t closed that number.

When the first player has thrown all three darts, the action shifts to the second player. There will be no end to this process until all the numbers have been closed. At the game’s finish, the victor is the one with the highest score.