Quick answer: Record three marks to close each target. Extra hits score points only when you have closed the number and at least one opponent has not.
Record marks consistently
Traditional notation uses one slash for the first mark, a crossing slash for the second and a circle around the X for the third. Digital boards may show lights instead. Whatever the display, each target needs a separate closure record for every player.
A double can move an empty target directly to two marks; a triple can close it in one dart. Hits outside 20 through 15 and bull do nothing in standard Cricket, even though they have normal values in 501.
Convert overflow marks into points
Points begin only after the thrower has closed a target and while an opponent remains open on it. If you have two marks on 20 and hit triple 20, one mark completes closure and the two extra marks score 40 points against an opponent whose 20 is open.
When every opponent has closed 20, further 20s cannot score. In games with more than two players, a closed player may keep scoring as long as at least one opposing player still has that target open, subject to the agreed format.
Score the bull correctly
The outer bull is one mark and the inner bull two. After a player closes bull, an extra outer bull commonly scores 25 and an inner bull 50 while an opponent remains open. There is no triple-bull segment, so closing bull from zero requires at least two darts.
Electronic games sometimes offer settings that change bull treatment, such as a full 50-point bull. Confirm the machine option before starting because it affects both closure and points.
Determine when the game is over
Closing every target is not sufficient when the player trails in points. That player must score enough on a number still open to the opponent, or wait for a later opportunity, before victory can be declared. Once all targets are closed by all players, no further points are available.
Check the marks and score before removing close darts. A mistaken double or triple can change both closure and points, and correcting it after the board is cleared becomes difficult.
Follow a sample Cricket exchange
Player A opens with triple 20, closing 20 immediately. Player B answers with double 20, which gives two marks but leaves the target open. On A’s next visit, double 20 scores 40 because A is closed while B is still open. If B then hits single 20, the third mark closes it and no overflow points are earned.
Once both players have closed 20, every later 20 is dead. Attention moves to the remaining targets, but the 40-point lead stays on the scoreboard. Player B must close all targets and erase that deficit by scoring on another number Player A has not closed. Walking through exchanges like this makes the relationship between marks, closure and points far clearer than memorizing symbols alone.
In cut-throat Cricket, scoring incentives reverse because points are typically assigned to opponents rather than accumulated for yourself. Keep that variant on a separate scoresheet and agree on multiplayer point distribution beforehand. The closure marks stay familiar, but the lowest-point objective changes tactical decisions and the winner calculation.
Turn the answer into a better game
Use the relevant tool or playing guide next instead of leaving the answer on the screen. You can play the Road to the Crown darts game, measure a lane with the setup calculator, or return to our dart boards homepage to compare board types and plan a complete setup.
Frequently asked questions
What numbers count in Cricket darts?
Standard Cricket uses 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15 and bull. Other wedges score no marks or points.
Can I score on a number before closing it?
Not in standard Cricket. Hits first create your three marks; only extra hits after closure can become points against an opponent who remains open.
What if I close everything but have fewer points?
The game continues. You must reach at least the opponent’s score while completing closure; house rules should settle whether a tie is sufficient, though standard play allows it.
The Throw Lab verdict
Treat Cricket as two ledgers: closure marks and running points. Singles, doubles and triples contribute one, two and three marks; overflow becomes points only after your closure and before every opponent closes that target. Bulls follow the same idea with one and two marks. The winner must close 20 through 15 and bull without trailing in points. Recording each dart before moving on prevents the most common mistake—awarding points too early or after a number is dead. Practice sample exchanges until overflow scoring and dead numbers can be recognized immediately.