Think darts is just about 501? Think again! There’s a vibrant universe of darts games played globally that offer incredible fun, social interaction, and fantastic opportunities to improve your aim and strategy. This article dives into four popular alternatives – Cricket, Killer, Darts Cricket (Wickets & Runs), and 301/401 (Double In, Double Out) – revealing how these engaging formats can transform your game, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player looking for new challenges.
Expand Your Darts Horizon: Games Beyond 501
While 501 is the undisputed champion of competitive darts, a world of other games exists that can be just as challenging, rewarding, and perfect for social play or serious practice. These games are excellent for improving specific aspects of your throw, from precision on doubles to strategic thinking.
Cricket (Numbers)
Often considered the second most popular darts game, Cricket is a strategic battle to “close” numbers and score points.
How to Play:
- Numbers in Play: Typically 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and the Bullseye. Players can agree on other numbers.
- Objective: To be the first player or team to “close” all designated numbers and have the highest point score.
- Closing a Number: To close a number, you need to hit it three times within an inning (three darts). This can be three singles, a single and a double, or a triple.
- “Owning” a Number: Once you hit a number three times, you “own” it. You can then score points on that number with subsequent hits, provided your opponent hasn’t also closed that number.
- Scoring Points: Any additional hits on a number you own (and your opponent hasn’t closed) add to your total score. For example, if you own 20 and hit a single 20, you get 20 points. If you hit a double 20, you get 40 points.
- “Closed” Number: Once both players/teams have hit a number three times, it is “closed” and neither side can score points on it anymore.
- Bullseye Rules: The outer bull counts as a single hit, and the inner bull (double bull) counts as a double hit towards closing the bullseye.
- Winning: The player/team who closes all designated numbers first AND has the most points wins. If both sides are tied on points, the first to close all numbers wins. If a player closes all numbers first but is behind on points, they must continue scoring on any open numbers until they surpass their opponent’s score or their opponent wins.
Killer Darts
Killer is a fast-paced, competitive game perfect for multiple players, focusing on hitting doubles and eliminating opponents.
How to Play:
- Choosing Numbers: Each player throws a dart with their opposite hand to randomly select a number on the board. If you miss or hit an already claimed number, throw again. This ensures fair, random assignment.
- Becoming a “Killer”: In your turn (three darts), the first objective is to hit the double of your own chosen number. Once you succeed, you become a “killer,” and a ‘K’ is typically marked next to your name on the scoreboard.
- Eliminating Opponents: Once you are a killer, your aim shifts to hitting the doubles of your opponents’ numbers. Each player starts with three lives. When a killer hits an opponent’s double, that opponent loses one life.
- Mistakes: If a killer accidentally hits their own double, they lose one of their own lives.
- Rapid Elimination: It’s possible to eliminate an opponent in a single turn by hitting their double three times (e.g., three double 10s).
- Winning: The last player standing with lives remaining is the winner.
Darts Cricket (Wickets & Runs)
This unique game brings the excitement of cricket to the dartboard, combining strategic scoring with defensive play.
How to Play:
- Setup: Mark ten “wickets” on the scoreboard, similar to a cricket match.
- Roles: Players take turns as the “batter” and the “bowler.” The batter goes first.
- The Bowler’s Objective: The bowler’s job is to “erase” the batter’s wickets by hitting bullseyes. A single bullseye (outer bull) erases one wicket, and a double bullseye (inner bull) erases two wickets.
- The Batter’s Objective: The batter aims to score as many points (or “runs”) as possible while their ten wickets remain intact.
- Scoring Runs: The tricky part is that only scores over 40 count as runs. For example, if you score 37 points with your three darts, you get 0 runs. If you score 45 points, you get 5 runs (45 minus 40).
- End of an Innings: The batter’s turn ends when the bowler successfully takes out all ten wickets. The batter records their final run score.
- Winning: Players then swap roles. The winner is the player who scores the most runs during their turn as the batter.
301/401 (Double In, Double Out)
A classic variation of the popular ’01 games, emphasizing precision at both the start and end of the game.
How to Play:
- Starting Score: Each player or team begins with either 301 or 401 points. The ultimate goal is to reach exactly zero.
- “Double In”: Before you can start subtracting points from your total, each player/team must first hit any one of the 21 possible doubles on the board (the 20 segments around the edge, plus the double bullseye). Only after hitting a double does your score start counting down.
- Subtracting Scores: Once you’ve doubled in, you subtract the points you score with each turn from your remaining total.
- “Double Out”: To win the game, you must hit a double that reduces your score to exactly zero. For example, if you have 28 points left, you need to hit a double 14. If you hit a single 14, you’d then need a double 7.
- “Busted”: If you score more points than you have left to reach zero, you are “busted.” Your turn ends immediately, and your score reverts to what it was at the beginning of that turn. This means you have to be very precise with your final darts.
- Practice Tip: For a challenging practice drill, 2022 Lakeside Champion Neil Duff recommends playing 201 Double In Double Out (DIDO) to sharpen your accuracy.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
