Throwing Darts (Cricket)
Here’s a clear, friendly guide to playing Cricket (the darts game) 🎯 No British batting involved, just pure pub-logic chaos.
What Is Cricket (Darts)?
Cricket is a darts game where players race to “close” specific numbers and score points on them before their opponent does.
It’s equal parts accuracy, strategy, and psychological warfare.
The Numbers That Matter
Only these count:
15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and Bullseye
Everything else on the board is meaningless (emotionally and legally).
Objective
To win, you must:
- Close all the numbers, and
- Have equal or more points than your opponent
You can’t just close numbers and lose on points. That’s called hubris.
How to Close a Number
Each number needs 3 hits to be closed.
- Single = 1 hit
- Double = 2 hits
- Triple = 3 hits (insta-close, very satisfying)
Once closed, extra hits score points unless your opponent has also closed that number.
Scoring
Points are only earned on open numbers (numbers your opponent hasn’t closed yet)
Score value = the number hit
- Triple 20 = 60 points
- Bullseye = 25 (outer) or 50 (inner)
Once both players close a number, it’s dead ☠️. No more scoring there.
Turn Structure
- Each player throws 3 darts per turn
- Misses happen. Ignore them.
- Trash talk is optional but traditional.
Example Turn
You throw:
- Triple 20 → closes 20 immediately
- Single 20 → scores 20 points (opponent hasn’t closed it yet)
- Single 19 → 1 hit toward closing 19
You are now winning and smug.
Strategy Basics
Early game
- Close 20s and 19s fast (highest scoring)
- Triples matter more than singles
Mid game
- Decide: score or close?
- If you’re ahead on points → close aggressively
- If behind → score like a menace
End game
- Watch the scoreboard more than the board
- Deny opponents scoring opportunities
- Panic slightly (normal)
Common Variations
- Cut-Throat Cricket Points you score go to your opponents instead. Friendship-ending.
- No Bull Bullseye doesn’t count (for people afraid of math).
- Team Cricket Chaos, yelling, alliances.
How People Actually Lose
- Closing everything but being behind on points
- Ignoring the bull too long
- “Just one more triple” thinking
- Playing angry (darts can smell fear)
Trash Talk
Ah. Cricket trash talk — the most important unwritten rule of the game 🎯 This is less about insults and more about psychological weather control.
What Cricket Trash Talk Is
- Low-volume
- Perfectly timed
- Plausibly deniable
You’re not yelling. You’re planting doubt.
The Golden Rules
Never trash talk before your own dart hits
- That’s how the board humbles you.
Say less than you want to
- Silence is threatening.
Tone matters more than words
- Calm confidence hurts more than insults.
Core Trash Talk Categories
The Polite Knife
Delivered gently. With concern.
- “Ooh—that was close.”
- “You’ll find it.”
- “Unlucky.”
- “That’s okay, you’ve still got two.”
Damage: Severe
The Scoreboard Reminder
You’re not mocking—you’re observing.
- “Just need… all of those.”
- “That’s still open, by the way.”
- “You sure you wanna score there?”
Best used while pointing casually at the chalkboard.
The Fake Coaching Moment
Pretend you’re helping. You are not.
- “You might wanna close that.”
- “Triples are on the inside.”
- “Bull’s been good to people tonight.”
This creates overthinking, your true ally.
The Post-Miss Sympathy Pause
Say nothing. Wait two seconds. Then:
- “…yeah.”
- “Huh.”
This is elite-level. Use sparingly.
The Self-Deprecation Trap
You miss on purpose? (You didn’t.)
- “I’m terrible tonight.”
- “I can’t hit anything.”
Now you immediately hit a triple.
Opponent morale collapses.
The Rule Clarifier
Weaponized knowledge.
- “That one doesn’t count.”
- “That’s closed already.”
- “Bull’s still live for you.”
Delivered neutrally. Like a librarian.
Advanced Techniques
The Confidence Borrow
Act like you expect their dart to miss.
- Look away early
- Start writing the score mid-throw
- Nod before it lands
This is borderline sorcery.
The “Your Dart Is Fine” Curse
Never do this unless you mean harm.
- “That dart’s flying great tonight.”
They will immediately lose it.
What NOT to Do
- Loud insults (rookie behavior)
- Commenting on grip/stance mid-throw (never ever)
- Talking during release (illegal in spirit and generally shitty)
- Celebrating too hard (the room turns on you)