Minnesota Cricket

Minnesota Cricket expands the classic game of Cricket by requiring players to close not only the standard numbered segments but also additional categorical requirements: doubles, triples, and three-in-a-bed. The goal is to be the first player to close all standard Cricket numbers, three doubles, three triples, three-in-a-bed, and the bullseye — while accumulating equal or greater points than your opponent.

Minnesota Cricket requires 2 or more players, a standard bristle dartboard, three darts per player, and a scoreboard. The scoreboard should list the standard Cricket numbers — 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, and 15 — plus four additional category rows: Doubles (D), Triples (T), Three-in-a-Bed (3B), and Bull. Each player's name or initials should appear as a column alongside these rows, with space to record marks (typically using the slash-X-circle notation: /, X, ⊘ for one, two, and three marks respectively) and a running point total at the bottom.

Throwing order is determined in the customary manner: each player throws a single dart at the bullseye, and the player whose dart lands closest to the inner bull throws first. In subsequent legs, throwing order alternates or is re-determined by bullseye throw at the players' discretion.

Players take turns throwing three darts per visit. The core closing mechanic is identical to standard Cricket: each target category requires three marks to close. A single hit on a relevant segment scores one mark, a double scores two marks, and a triple scores three marks toward closing a numbered target. Once a player has accumulated three marks on a category, that category is closed for that player.

In addition to the six standard numbered targets (20–15) and the bullseye, players must also close the following three special categories:

• Doubles (D): The player must hit three separate doubles of any number on the board. Each double hit counts as one mark toward closing this category. The doubles do not need to be of the same number.
• Triples (T): The player must hit three separate triples of any number on the board. Each triple hit counts as one mark toward closing this category. The triples do not need to be of the same number.
• Three-in-a-Bed (3B): The player must land all three darts of a single visit in the same segment (e.g., three darts in the single 20, or three darts in the triple 19). Achieving three-in-a-bed closes this category in one turn. Until the player accomplishes this feat, the category remains open.

Important — single-count rule: Each dart thrown during a turn may only count toward one requirement. A player must declare or designate which category a dart applies to if it could satisfy multiple open categories. For example, if a player hits triple 20 and both the number 20 and the Triples (T) category are still open, that dart counts toward only one of those categories — not both simultaneously.

Scoring on closed numbers: Once a player has closed a numbered target but an opponent has not, additional hits on that number by the player who closed it score points at face value, including any double or triple multiplier. For instance, if you have closed 20 but your opponent has not, hitting a triple 20 adds 60 points to your total. A number ceases to score points for anyone once all players have closed it.

The bullseye follows standard Cricket convention: the outer bull (25 ring) counts as one mark, and the inner bull (50) counts as two marks. Three marks are required to close Bull.

Point values follow standard dartboard mathematics:

• Single segment: Face value (1–20 points)
• Double ring: 2× face value (2–40 points)
• Triple ring: 3× face value (3–60 points)
• Outer bullseye: 25 points
• Inner bullseye: 50 points

Points are scored only on categories that the throwing player has already closed and that at least one opponent has not yet closed. For example, if you have closed 19 and your opponent has not, hitting a double 19 earns you 38 points. If both players have closed 19, no one scores on that number.

The Three-in-a-Bed category, once closed, scores points equal to the total face value of the three darts that achieved it. For example, landing three darts in the triple 20 segment to close 3B scores 180 points (60 + 60 + 60). Landing three darts in single 18 would score 54 points (18 + 18 + 18). This bonus is awarded at the time the three-in-a-bed is achieved.

A player wins by being the first to close all required categories — the six standard numbers (20–15), Doubles, Triples, Three-in-a-Bed, and Bull — while holding a point total that is equal to or greater than every opponent's total. If a player closes all categories but trails in points, that player must continue throwing to score additional points on any numbers that remain open for opponents, or wait for opponents to close numbers that are generating points against them.

If two or more players close all categories simultaneously (i.e., in the same round), the player with the higher point total wins. In match play, Minnesota Cricket is typically contested as a single leg or as a best-of series (e.g., best of 3 or best of 5 legs), with throwing order alternating between legs.

Wild Mouse (Mickey Mouse): Minnesota Cricket is also widely known as Wild Mouse or, particularly in the United Kingdom, Mickey Mouse. The rules are identical; only the name differs by region.

Extended number range: Some versions expand the required numbers from 20–15 down to 20–12, adding 14, 13, and 12 to the closing requirements. This significantly lengthens the game and is recommended for experienced players seeking a greater challenge.

Optional Three-in-a-Bed: In casual play, the Three-in-a-Bed requirement is sometimes dropped entirely, reducing the special categories to Doubles, Triples, and Bull only. This makes the game more accessible to intermediate players who may struggle to land three darts in the same bed within a single visit.

Minnesota Cricket is itself a variant of standard Cricket, the widely played territorial darts game. It retains Cricket's core mark-and-score mechanic but layers on the additional categorical requirements that give the game its distinctive strategic depth.

Prioritize standard numbers first: Focus your early visits on closing the high-value standard numbers (20, 19, 18) before worrying about the special categories. Closing these quickly gives you scoring opportunities while your opponents are still working on them, building a point cushion that could prove decisive.

Let triples and doubles accumulate naturally: When you throw at triple 20 to close the number 20, any triples you hit also count as marks toward your Triples (T) category. Similarly, checkout darts that land in double rings contribute to your Doubles (D) requirement. Plan your visits so that darts aimed at standard numbers simultaneously build progress on the special categories.

Target triple 20 for three-in-a-bed: The triple 20 bed is the ideal target for your three-in-a-bed attempt — landing three darts there closes the 3B category, contributes triple marks toward the Triples category, advances your 20 closure, and scores a potential 180 points. No other bed offers the same multi-category efficiency.

Mind the single-count rule: Because each dart can only count toward one category per turn, plan your assignments carefully. If you need one more mark to close 19 and you also need a triple mark, hitting triple 19 forces a choice. Think ahead about which assignment benefits you more in the current game state.

Don't neglect the bullseye: The Bull is easy to postpone because it doesn't interact with the special categories, but leaving it until last can cost you the game if your opponent closes everything else and begins scoring on open bulls. Weave in bullseye attempts mid-game, especially when you have one or two darts remaining in a visit with no clear target.