What this calculator does
Keep score in a game of cricket darts, dart by dart, and see who's ahead or who has won. Cricket is the darts game played on 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15 and the bull. Each player tries to close all seven targets by hitting each one three times. Extra hits on numbers you've closed rack up points. It's the usual second game on electronic boards and in many leagues. In the UK it's often called Tactics.
Scoring by hand means watching two things at once. You track the marks on each number, and whether an opponent still has that number open. Here, you type each visit (one player's turn of up to three darts) as the darts thrown, such as T20 S1 S5. The scorekeeper fills in the marks board with the usual /, X and Ⓧ. It adds the points and says who is ahead or who has won. Switch to cut-throat to give points to your opponents instead, for up to four players.
Where it's used
Why this math matters outside the classroom:
- League nights. A scorer marks a treble 20 thrown at an already closed 20 as 3 extra marks, worth 3 × 20 = 60 points.
- Choosing a target. A player 40 points behind with 17 open on the other side sees that a treble 17 scores 51 and takes the lead.
- Multiplication practice. Pupils score cricket rounds to practise the 15–20 times tables, such as a double 18 on a closed number being 2 × 18 = 36.
- Cut-throat parties. With three players, a treble 19 on a closed 19 gives 57 points to each opponent who still has 19 open.
- Electronic board checks. Players check a board's cricket total by hand when a dart bounces out, recounting the marks and points.
Grade level and standards: Grade 3; Common Core State Standards for Mathematics 3.OA.C.7. © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.
How to use it
- Choose standard or cut-throat scoring. In cut-throat, also choose 2, 3 or 4 players.
- Type each player's visits in throwing order, with commas between them, such as T20 S1 S5, DB DB M.
- Darts at 1–14 are allowed and score nothing, so you can type what actually landed.
- Read the result, each player's points and numbers closed, and the marks board.
What the inputs mean
- Scoring
- Standard gives you the points for extra marks on numbers your opponent hasn't closed, and the most points wins. Cut-throat gives those points to every opponent who hasn't closed the number, and the fewest points wins.
- Player 1 visits
- Up to three darts per visit, with spaces between darts and commas between visits. Put S (single), D (double) or T (treble) before the number: S20, D19, T18. Use 25 or SB for the outer bull, 50 or DB for the bullseye, and M for a miss.
- Player names
- Optional labels in throwing order, separated by commas.
Formula and method
marks: single = 1, double = 2, treble = 3; outer bull = 1, bullseye = 2 a number is closed at 3 marks points per extra mark = the number's value (25 for the bull) standard: extra marks score for you while any opponent has the number open cut-throat: extra marks score for each opponent who has the number open win: all 7 closed and points ≥ every opponent (cut-throat: ≤ every opponent)
A mark is one hit counted on a target. Each dart on a target adds marks. Once a number has three marks, it's closed for that player. Any marks beyond three become points. But that only works while an opponent still has that number open. When every player has closed a number, it's dead, and nothing more can be scored on it. Say a treble lands on a number with two marks. It closes the number and leaves two extra marks to score.
In standard cricket, the points go to the thrower. So the idea is to close numbers quickly, then score on the ones your opponent hasn't reached. In cut-throat, the points go to the opponents who haven't closed that number. So you score against them, and you want the lowest total.
The game ends on the dart that leaves a player with all seven targets closed and the best points total (a tie is enough). What if a player closes everything but is behind on points? They must keep scoring on the opponent's open numbers until they draw level or go ahead.
Worked example
Two invented players, Wren Albescu and Tobias Okonkwo-Hale, play standard cricket. Wren throws T20 S1 S5 then DB DB M; Tobias throws T19 S3 S7 then SB DB M.
- Round 1: Wren's treble 20 is 3 marks, so 20 is closed. S1 and S5 aren't cricket numbers and score nothing. Tobias closes 19 with a treble.
- Round 2: Wren's two bullseyes are 2 + 2 = 4 marks. Three close the bull, and the extra mark scores 25 because Tobias hasn't closed the bull yet.
- Tobias then hits the outer bull (1 mark) and the bullseye (2 marks), which closes his bull. That kills the bull, so no one can score on it now.
- Each player has 2 of 7 numbers closed, and the points are 25 to 0.
Result: In progress: Wren ahead on points (25 to 0).
Understanding the result
On the marks board, / is one mark, X is two and Ⓧ is a closed number. They're the same symbols players chalk on a cricket board. A dash means no marks yet.
Points tell you who leads, but numbers closed tell you who is closer to finishing. A player ahead on points with more numbers closed is in a strong position. That's because the opponent has fewer places left to score.
In cut-throat, a low score is good. The leader is the player with the fewest points, and the result says so.
Assumptions and limitations
- Players throw in the order given, one visit each per round. Later players may be one visit behind the first.
- Standard scoring with 3 or 4 players isn't offered. With more than two players, this scorer uses cut-throat, the usual format for groups.
- Only 15–20 and the bull count. The outer bull is worth 25 points per extra mark, and the bullseye 50 (two marks).
- Cricket has many local house rules, such as numbers that must be closed in order, no-score rules or a round limit. These aren't applied.
- If points are tied when a player closes out, that player wins, as the usual rule says. Some leagues add a tiebreak.
- Up to 200 characters of visits per player, which covers a typical game written compactly.
Frequently asked questions
How many marks close a number in cricket darts?
Three. A treble closes a number in one dart. A double and a single do it in two, and three singles in three. On the bull, the outer bull is one mark and the bullseye is two.
When do you score points in cricket?
Only after you've closed a number, and only while an opponent still has it open. Each extra mark is worth the number, so a treble 20 on a closed 20 scores 60. Once everyone has closed a number, it's dead.
Can you win cricket while behind on points?
No. You need all seven numbers closed and at least as many points as your opponent. If you close everything while behind, keep scoring on numbers your opponent hasn't closed until you catch up.
What is cut-throat cricket?
It's a version usually played with three or more players, though this scorer handles two as well. Your extra marks give points to the opponents who haven't closed that number. You want the lowest score. The winner is the first to close everything with the fewest points, or tied for the fewest.
Sources
- Standard Cricket Darts: rules and scoring (DolfDarts) (checked 2026-10-19)
- Darts Cricket, by Dr Patrick Chaplin (darts historian) (checked 2026-10-19)
How this calculator is checked
Method: Published house rules for cricket darts (DolfDarts standard cricket rules; Dr Patrick Chaplin's history of the game): targets 15–20 and the bull, three marks to close, points on extra marks while an opponent is open, win with all closed and points level or ahead; cut-throat gives points to open opponents and the lowest wins. No governing body publishes one official version. The calculation is covered by automated tests with known reference values and edge cases. Last updated 2026-10-18. Found a problem? Tell us.
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