Rules for Steeplechase

Steeplechase is a game that may be played by any number of players. It is good practice because it makes you aim at areas of the board you might not normally try to hit.

The Scoring

No scoring is needed as long as you can remember playing order and what number each person is up to.

One dart is thrown by each player at bullseye, closest to the bullseye goes first.

You must hit one dart in each number starting with 20 and continuing clockwise around the board until the 5 is hit. Only the thin wedge between the bullseye and the triples ring (the thin inner ring) count. Any darts that fall outside of this area do not count. All numbers must be hit in order. Any number of darts may be used to hit the current target number, but once the number is hit, you do not throw your remaining darts and your turn is over.

The rules are different when you must jump the "fences". The fences are located at 6, 3 and 11. To successfully jump a fence, you must hit the triple of the number that the fence is located at instead of the thin wedge. You are also limited to nine darts (three turns) to try to jump the fence. If you do not succeed in jumping the fence with nine darts, you are out of the race.

I have also heard of this game being played with four fences located at 13, 17, 8 and 5. I personally like the first method better. First the locations of the fences in this method are a little confusing to remember. Secondly, having the fence in the number 5 to win the race can be very frustrating. When I tried this method, there were several games where nobody won! We made it all the way around the course and couldn't nail a triple 5. Try both ways and see what you think.

Strategy of Cricket Dart Game

The best strategy of cricket dart game is to close the highest numbers first in descending order (this is the reason they are written that way on the scoreboard). The reason for this is that if points are scored, the player with the higher number closed has a big advantage. If you closed your 20 and scored 20 points in your first round, your opponent would have to throw TWO 19's after they are closed to make up the points and score 38.

One important note that I should point out (no pun intended): Deliberately shooting too many points can lead to a bar-room brawl. Darts is considered a "polite game" much like golf. Players do not typically "point monger" each other. Staying one or two bull's-eyes ahead (25 to 50 points) is acceptable. Throwing more points on another player that is not an incredibly  stronger player is not a good idea.

On the other hand, by scoring an appropriate number early and simply staying on top of the other player, a weaker player can often beat a stronger player by making the other player have to throw extra bull's-eyes to end the game. Be very careful with this strategy though, sometimes the other player might suddenly turn the tables and will be sure to remember all those extra points you threw on him! Another thing that can happen is that you waste time trying to be sure you have enough points and when you get to the bull's-eyes, you discover that the other player couldn't miss a bull if he tried. What you wind up with is alot of darts you wasted that could have been tried at bulls and an opponent who is grinning from ear to ear. A clue to warn you that this is happening is when you throw alot of points and your opponent doesn't seem to care (that is he's not throwing any points back).

The Player of Cricket Game

The players each take a turn throwing one dart at bulls-eye, closest dart to the bull's-eye gets to throw first. The first player throws three darts at any of the scoring numbers to try to close that number and/or score points (points will be explained later, and games can be played without points). The player then scores the darts that he has thrown and play alternates until one person closes all their numbers and has more or equal points to the opponent.

Points is what makes the game of Cricket very interesting. After you close a number, if your opponent does not have the same number closed, any darts that land in that number count as points for you and are totaled on your side of the board. For example, you have your 18 closed and your opponent only has one 18. If you throw a triple 18, you now have 54 points added to any points you may have already scored. If your opponent now throws a triple 18, only two count to close the number. The third does not count for points because your 18 is already closed. If a player has all of their numbers closed including bull's-eyes but has less points, that player has not yet won the game. He must throw enough points to be even or ahead of the opponent. If the only number the opponent has open is bull's-eyes, then the player must throw extra bull's-eyes at 25 points each (or 50 points for the double bulls-eye).

 

The Scoring of Cricket Dart Game

The scoreboard is drawn with the numbers 20 through 15 and bullseye written in descending order down the center of the board. Bullseye is usually abbreviated with a B (or C for cork, another term for the bullseye). Each dart that lands in any of the games numbers count toward closing that number. The thin outer ring counts as two of that number and is called a "double". The thin inner ring counts as three of that number and is called a triple. Scoring for one dart is shown by placing a slash next to the number scored. Scoring for two is shown by placing an X next to the number scored. Scoring for three is shown by placing a circle next to the number to indicate it is closed. When three of a number is scored in any combination, it is closed.

Dart-Object of Cricket Game

The object of the cricket dart game is to "close" all your numbers (20 down through 15 and bulls-eye) and end up with more or equal points to your opponent. To close a number, you must hit three of that number.

Rules for Cricket

Cricket is my favorite dart game and also the one that I learned first. It is also the most common one played in bars across America. Cricket is a game that, unlike x01, requires some strategy that can help a weaker player beat a stronger player.

Darts

Darts is a form of throwing game in which darts are thrown at a circular target (dartboard) fixed to a wall.

Tungsten Dart and Brass Dart

Tungsten is a very dense metal, and also very durable,  using tungsten to make a dart barrel results in a smaller dart for the same weight.  For anyone who plays darts often, the durability is important, as that helps retain the dart's precision-machined shape, grooves, and knurling.

 

However, brass is still used for inexpensive darts, which are large in diameter and the grip wears down quickly.

Magnetic Dartboards

Magnetic dart boards use darts that have flat magnetic tips on them. The darts will stick to the ferrous surface of the board. Well, that’s the theory!

 

Magnetic dartboards are not for anyone serious about playing darts; they are strictly toys.

Cork Dart Boards

Although not as prevalent as they used to be, you can still find cork dart boards. These tend to be cheap dartboards as cork wears out quite easily. Not recommended for heavy play.

The term cork dart board can often be misleading as people often mistakenly refer to bristle dart boards as cork dart boards. Also, the bullseye on an American style dart board is called the cork, and some will refer to them as cork dart boards although they are made of wood.

Wooden Dartboards

Traditionally, dart boards used to be made of wood like elm or poplar. The main problem with these solid wood dart boards was that they tended to dry out and crack so they had to be soaked overnight to keep them in top condition. It is thought that the modern “clock” layout of dart boards is derived from the natural growth rings and the radial cracks that would have appeared on the old wooden dartboards. Wooden dart boards were in use in England up to the 1970s when Dutch elm disease wiped out most of the elm supply. Since this time, bristle dartboards have become the dart boards of choice.

Choosing a Dart Board

Darts is a fantastically social game and what better way to enjoy a game of darts than with a few close friends over a couple of cold beers? Sooner or later, you’ll become hooked and you will be wanting your own dart board.

There may be many reasons why you want to get your own dart board. You may find you’re spending too much money going to bars to play, or you might want to have a dart board to liven up your own parties at home. Ultimately, your underlying goal will probably be to improve your dart skills and earn bragging rights amongst your peers.

No matter what your intentions are, knowing how dart boards are made and what they offer will help you make an informed choice and give hours of pleasure.

Electronic Darts Machines

Electronic darts machines capable of automatic scoring of both soft and steel tip darts on real, genuine, bristle dart boards.