The Rules of Cricket

Cricket is the most popular dart game played in the US. There are already plenty of websites explaining the rules of Cricket. And now there is one more.

Cricket is played using only the numbers 20 through 15 and the bullseye. Many score boards in bars already have the numbers painted on, but if not simply make a column in the middle of the scoreboard starting with 20 and descending to 15 followed by a B for bull. The object of the game is to "close" each of those numbers. This is done by making three of the number. This could mean hitting 3 singles, or a double and a single or simply a triple. The outer bull counts as a single and the inner bull counts double. Simple enough, right? Here's the catch. Let's say I've closed my 20s but you haven't closed yours. Any time I hit a 20 after that I score points which I keep a running total of next to where I'm keeping track of the numbers I've hit. Once you close the 20s, I can no longer score on them. Same goes for all those other numbers. So not only do you have to close everything, but you have to be ahead or even in the score.

That's far from the best explanation of the rules of Cricket, but should give you a basic understanding of the game. I'll go into more detail in a future post.

Classic Dartboard Trick

Round and round and round she goes...

This is an oldie but goodie. Everyone knows the most points you can score with three darts is a ton eighty (180) right? So next time you're in your local pub, bet someone a beer that it's possible to score higher. Simply spin the board around so that the 16 wedge points top side. That slice of pie is suddenly worth "91" points, making three trips total up to 819 points!
 
Of course, depending on their sense of humor, your victim may pay you off with an empty beer bottle, having treated it to the same 120 degree tilt you gave the dartboard!

How to Hang a Dartboard

Your basic dartboard bracket. Note the line at 5' 8''

So you need to know how to hang a dartboard? It's not that difficult if you simply take the time to measure carefully and secure your hardware adequately. First thing is make sure you have the correct measurements. (See pic at right for what happens if ya rush. Note the extra holes from incorrectly measuring the first time.)

From the floor to the center of the bull should be exactly 5 feet and 8 inches, or 68 inches. That's 173 cm if you're in a metric mood. The other critical measurement is your throwing distance which  should be 7 feet 9 and a quarter inches, or 93.25 inches. That's 2.37 meters.

So measure 68 inches up the wall, make your mark and screw the bracket to the wall with two good wood screws. If you don't hit a stud, you'll probably wanna use toggle bolts instead of screws to be sure the bracket is good and secure. Remember, that's all that's holding up the board. Next you'll want to be sure to run a short, wide head screw into the exact center of the back of the dartboard. Leave the screw approximately a quarter inch out. This will slide into the bracket on the wall. Both the bracket and the screw should come with the board if bought new. Before you attach the board to the wall, there will probably be 3 or more rubber feet or metal strips which you attach to the back of the board in order to keep the board surface on an even plane.

Once the board is hung, plumb a line from the face of the board to the floor and make a mark. Then measure your 7 feet 9 and a quarter inches so you know where to place the oche (toe line, throwing line, etc.) Mark or tape a line there and you're pretty much done. If you care to triple check your work, then according to ol Pythagoras (who knew he threw darts?) a line from center bull to your toe line should be 9 feet 7 and 3/8 inches.

Good Darts!

"Good Darts!"

If you've played darts much at all, surely you've heard that phrase. Though it's often overused on mediocre or even lousy throws, (whatever happened to "nice try" or such?) when it's said with just that right tinge of awe, one knows a great throw has just been made. Especially a clutch throw, one that turns the momentum of the game in your favor. Used sparingly, there's no better compliment in the game of darts than to hear those two simple words. Good darts.

This blog is not for the advanced player. There are plenty of blogs and dart websites out there already for you. This is more for the beginner to average dart player. And the opinions expressed and strategies discussed are purely my own except where noted. I don't claim to be a pro, but that's why I'm not writing for them. If you're a beginner trying to figure out which end of the dart goes first, or a sophmore experiencing his first bout of dartitis, this blog is dedicated to you.

That's it for now, so get out there, throw a couple hundred darts at the bull today and first time you nail a 3iB, you can bet whoever you're practicing with is likely to say that special phrase.

Good darts!