Cricket rules.
Alongside 501, Cricket is the most popular darts game — especially in the United States. Here there's no race to zero: you "close" numbers and score points. Strategy matters just as much as precision.
The numbers in play
Only 7 targets are in play: the numbers 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15 and the bull (the centre). Everything else on the board doesn't count.
Open, then close
To close a number, you need to hit it 3 times. A single = 1 mark, a double = 2 marks, a treble = 3 marks. So three singles, a single plus a double, or a single treble will close a number.
Scoring points
A number you've closed but your opponent hasn't becomes a scoring number: every further hit earns you its value (a treble 20 = 60 points). Once the opponent closes it too, it stops scoring for anyone.
How to win
The winner is whoever has closed all 7 targets AND is ahead on points (or level). Closing everything while trailing on the scoreboard isn't enough: you need to keep scoring on your open numbers to get back in front.
The "cut-throat" variant
In cut-throat Cricket, points you score are added to your opponents' totals on numbers they haven't closed, not to yours. The goal flips: the lowest score wins.
The key stat: MPR
MPR (Marks Per Round) is the average number of marks per 3-dart turn. A solid amateur sits around 2; the pros go above 3. PlayDart calculates it for you.
Fancy a different game? Here are the 501 rules and the checkout chart.
Start a game of Cricket.
PlayDart tracks openings, closures, points and your MPR live. Just focus on the board.
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