Dart Games
301
The Object
This game is normally played with 1-4 players. The object of the game 301 is to start with a score of 301 and lower your score to exactly zero by throwing 3 darts and take turns with your opponent until someone gets to zero. Every dart that you throw you subtract from 301. Depending on how long you want the game to be you can make this game 401, 501, 601, 701, or 1001.
Strategy
The strategy of this game is to throw as many doubles (the outside ring on a dart board), triples (the inside ring on a dart board), and bull’s-eyes (the center circle of a dart board) as possible. The more points you score the quicker you get down to zero. So the highest score that you can subtract off with one round of throwing is 60 (3 triple 20’s). The true skill of the game is when you get close to zero to have the aim to get exactly what you need to not go over your “out” number. So if you’re out number is 32 then aim for a double 16 so you use the least amount of darts possible.
Optional Rules
• To make the game more challenging some players will play with the rules of Double-In and/or Double-Out. These rules mean that in order to start the game and start subtracting points you must first throw a double before any throw counts. And in order to finish a game you must throw a double as your last dart.
• To decide which player throws first most people play with the rule of Closest to the bull’s-eye goes first. That means that each player throws one dart and the dart that is closer to the bull’s-eye gets to start first. Otherwise this can be decided with a simple flip of a coin.
Cricket
The Object
This game is normally played with 1-4 players. Each player takes turns throwing three darts. The object of Cricket is to “close” all of your numbers (20 – 15 and bull’s-eye) before your opponents do and also have a higher score. In order to “close” a number you must hit that number three times with any combination of singles, doubles, or triples. To score points, you must first close out a number and then every dart that you hit on a closed out number adds to your total score until all of your opponents close out that number also. After all of the players close out a specific number then no one can score points of that number.
Strategy
Since the object of the game is to close out all of your numbers as quick as possible then the strategy is pretty simple, aim for the triple rings. If you can hit a triple ring on a number from 15-20 then you will close out that number with one dart.
Optional Rules
• To make the game more challenging some players will play with the rules of “Double-In”. This rule means that in order to start the game and start closing out numbers you must first throw a double before any throw counts.
• To decide which player throws first most people play with the rule of “Closest to the bull’s-eye goes first.” That means that each player throws one dart and whoever’s dart is closer to the bull’s-eye gets to start first. Otherwise this can be decided with a simple flip of a coin.
Around the Clock
The Object
This game is usually played with 1-4 players. The object of this game is very simple. Each player takes turns throwing three darts at a time and tries to hit every number on the dart board in order. So the first number you aim for is 1 and then once you hit 1 you move on to 2 and so on. Once someone gets to 20 they win.
Optional Rules
• To make the game more challenging you can add doubles, triples, and bull’s-eyes to the “clock”.
• To decide which player throws first most people play with the rule of “Closest to the bull’s-eye goes first.” That means that each player throws one dart and whoever’s dart is closer to the bull’s-eye gets to start first. Otherwise this can be decided with a simple flip of a coin.