Hidden Cricket

Hidden Cricket is a discovery-driven variant of standard Cricket in which the target numbers are secret at the start of the game. Players must physically find the hidden targets by throwing darts at the board — when a dart lands on one of the concealed target numbers, that number is revealed to all players and becomes an active Cricket target. The first player to discover a hidden target earns a bonus mark, giving them a head start in the race to close that number.

The ultimate goal remains the same as standard Cricket: be the first player to close all target numbers while accumulating the highest point total (or lowest, in Cut-Throat mode).

Hidden Cricket is designed for two or more players and requires an electronic dartboard (such as a DARTSLIVE or similar machine) capable of randomly selecting and concealing target numbers. The board randomly chooses 6 hidden target numbers from the standard dartboard segments; the bullseye is always in play as the 7th target, giving a total of 7 targets — the same count as standard Cricket.

At the start of the game, the scoreboard displays blank or hidden target slots — no player knows which numbers are in play. Targets appear on the display only after they have been discovered by a thrown dart. Standard Cricket scoring notation (marks and points) is used once a target is revealed.

To determine throwing order, each player throws one dart at the bullseye; the player closest to the bull throws first.

Players take turns throwing 3 darts per visit, exactly as in standard Cricket. However, the early phase of the game revolves around discovery — finding out which numbers are hidden targets.

Discovery phase:

• When a dart lands on a segment that is one of the 6 hidden target numbers, that number is immediately revealed on the scoreboard for all players.
• Darts that land on segments that are not hidden targets have no effect and score nothing.
• The bullseye is always visible and active from the first throw — it does not need to be discovered.

Discovery bonus: The first player to hit (and thereby reveal) a hidden target number receives +1 bonus mark on that number in addition to the mark earned by the dart itself. This means the discoverer begins with 2 marks on that number (1 mark for the hit + 1 bonus mark), while all other players start with 0 marks. For example, if Player A throws a single 17 and 17 is one of the hidden targets, 17 is revealed and Player A is credited with 2 marks toward closing it. If that dart had been a double 17, Player A would receive 2 marks for the double plus the 1 bonus mark, totalling 3 marks — enough to open the number outright on a single throw. A triple hit on a newly discovered number would yield 3 marks plus the 1 bonus mark, giving 4 marks (3 to close, with the extra mark potentially scoring points if no opponent has yet closed the number).

Standard Cricket rules apply once a number is revealed:

• Each player must record 3 marks on a target to close it (singles = 1 mark, doubles = 2 marks, triples = 3 marks).
• Once a player has closed a number (3 marks), any further hits on that number score points — provided at least one opponent has not yet closed it.
• A number is fully closed and removed from scoring when all players have recorded 3 marks on it.
• Standard bullseye marks apply: outer bull = 1 mark, inner bull (double bull) = 2 marks.

The game can be played in either Standard scoring (accumulate the most points) or Cut-Throat scoring (points are assigned to opponents; lowest score wins).

Once a target number has been revealed, scoring follows standard Cricket conventions:

• Single segment: face value (e.g., single 18 = 18 points)
• Double segment: 2× face value (e.g., double 18 = 36 points)
• Triple segment: 3× face value (e.g., triple 18 = 54 points)
• Outer bullseye: 25 points
• Inner bullseye: 50 points

Points may only be scored on a number that the throwing player has closed (3 marks) and that at least one opponent has not yet closed. For example, if Player A has closed 20 and Player B has only 1 mark on 20, Player A's subsequent triple 20 scores 60 points.

The discovery bonus provides only an extra mark — it does not award any bonus points. Its value is purely positional: it accelerates the discoverer's progress toward closing the number.

Victory conditions mirror standard Cricket. A player wins by closing all 7 target numbers (the 6 hidden numbers plus the bullseye) and having a score equal to or greater than every opponent's score. If a player closes all targets but trails in points, play continues until they either gain the lead or their opponents also close all targets. In Cut-Throat mode, a player must close all 7 targets while holding the lowest point total.

The discovery bonus can prove decisive: a player who discovers multiple targets early may need only 1 additional mark per number to close, gaining a significant tempo advantage in the race to finish.

Cut-Throat Hidden Cricket: Played with the same discovery and bonus-mark mechanics, but points scored on open numbers are added to opponents' totals rather than your own. The winner is the player who closes all targets while carrying the lowest score. This variant punishes players who leave numbers open, adding extra urgency to the discovery phase.

Individual-Reveal Hidden Cricket: In some electronic board implementations, a discovered number is revealed only to the player who hit it. Opponents must independently discover the same number before it appears on their side of the scoreboard. This creates an even deeper information asymmetry, as one player may be scoring on a number the other doesn't yet know is in play.

Note: Hidden Cricket is inherently an electronic dartboard game, as it requires the machine to randomly select, conceal, and reveal target numbers. It cannot be faithfully replicated on a standard bristle board without a neutral third party managing the hidden information. DARTSLIVE Home offers Hidden Cricket as a built-in game mode. Hidden Cricket is a variant of the parent game Cricket.

Explore wide, explore early: In the opening rounds, spread your three darts across different segments rather than grouping them on a single number. Each discovery grants a free bonus mark — finding three new targets in one visit effectively gives you three bonus marks, a substantial head start. Aim at distinct high-value segments (e.g., 20, 19, 18) to maximize both discovery potential and future scoring value.

Prioritize the 15–20 range first: The 6 hidden targets are drawn from the full board, but higher numbers yield more points once opened. Begin your exploration in the 15–20 range to uncover the most lucrative targets early, then widen your search if slots remain hidden.

Leverage the discovery bonus aggressively: A discovery bonus means you start at 2 out of 3 marks on a number — one more hit and you've closed it. Immediately follow up a discovery with your remaining darts on that same number if possible. For instance, if your first dart reveals 17 (giving you 2 marks), throwing a single 17 with your second dart closes it outright, letting you score points with your third dart if opponents have 0 marks.

React quickly to opponent discoveries: When an opponent reveals a new target, they already hold a 2-mark advantage on it. Prioritize hitting that number on your next visit to prevent them from closing it and scoring freely against you. Falling behind on a revealed number is costly — especially high-value targets like 20 or 19.

Track the count of revealed targets: There are exactly 6 hidden numbers plus the bull. Once 5 numbers have been discovered, only 1 remains hidden. At that point, narrow your exploratory throws to the undiscovered segments and shift the rest of your darts to closing and scoring on numbers already in play. Efficient transitions from discovery mode to closing mode often decide the match.