Tactics

Tactics is the European and UK counterpart of Cricket, expanded with two additional closing objectives: Doubles and Triples. The goal is to be the first player to close all nine objectives — the numbers 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, the Bullseye, and the separate Doubles and Triples categories — while accumulating a score equal to or greater than every opponent's.

The defining strategic tension of Tactics lies in a dual-purpose choice: when a dart lands in a double or triple segment of a scoring number, the player must decide whether to apply that hit toward closing the number or toward closing the Doubles or Triples category. This creates a layer of tactical depth absent from standard Cricket.

Two or more players may compete. The scoreboard should list nine objectives in a column, with each player's name and scoring area on either side (or alongside, for three or more players):

• 20
• 19
• 18
• 17
• 16
• 15
• Bull (outer bull and inner bull)
• Doubles (a separate category)
• Triples (a separate category)

Each objective requires 3 marks to close, recorded with the standard slash-X-circle notation (/, X, ⊗). All players begin with a score of 0. To determine throwing order, each player throws a single dart at the bullseye; the player whose dart lands closest to the inner bull throws first. A standard bristle dartboard and a set of three darts per player are required.

Players take turns throwing three darts per visit. On each turn, the player attempts to accumulate marks on the nine objectives and, once an objective is open, to score points on opponents who have not yet closed it.

Closing the numbers (20–15) and Bull: These work identically to standard Cricket. A single hit on a number scores 1 mark, a double scores 2 marks, and a triple scores 3 marks. Three marks close the number. For the Bullseye, an outer bull counts as 1 mark and the inner bull counts as 2 marks. Once a player has closed a number but an opponent has not, further hits on that number by the closing player score points equal to the segment value (see Scoring). Once all players have closed a number, it is dead and no further points can be scored on it.

Closing Doubles and Triples: The Doubles and Triples categories are separate objectives, each requiring 3 marks to close. Each qualifying double hit on the board provides 1 mark toward the Doubles category, and each qualifying triple hit provides 1 mark toward the Triples category. Which doubles and triples qualify depends on the variant in play:

• In Strict Tactics (the standard UK format), only doubles and triples on the numbers 15–20 count toward closing the Doubles and Triples categories.
• In Slop Tactics, any double or triple anywhere on the board (1–20) counts toward the respective category.

The dual-purpose choice: This is the defining mechanic of Tactics. When a dart lands in a double or triple segment of a number that is also one of the scoring objectives (15–20), the thrower must choose how to apply that dart. For example, if a player hits triple 20, they may apply it in one of two ways:

• Option A: Count it as 3 marks on the 20, closing the number in a single dart.
• Option B: Count it as 1 mark toward the Triples category, leaving the 20 unaffected.

The player cannot split the value — the entire dart must be applied to one objective or the other. The player must declare their choice before throwing their next dart (or before the end of their turn if it is the third dart). Similarly, hitting double 18 can count as either 2 marks on the 18 or 1 mark toward the Doubles category, but not both.

Bust and void rules: There is no bust mechanic in Tactics. All darts that land in valid segments are scored or marked as applicable. Darts that miss the board or land outside the scoring area (the outer wire) score nothing. If a dart lands in a segment that has no applicable objective (e.g., single 10 when no extended numbers are in play), the dart simply does not count toward any objective or score.

Points are accumulated in the same manner as standard Cricket. Once a player has closed a number (achieved 3 marks) and at least one opponent has not closed that number, additional hits on that number by the closing player score points equal to the segment value struck:

• Single: Face value (e.g., single 19 = 19 points)
• Double: 2× face value (e.g., double 18 = 36 points)
• Triple: 3× face value (e.g., triple 20 = 60 points)
• Outer bull: 25 points
• Inner bull: 50 points

If a player uses a triple or double hit for scoring on an already-closed number, the full point value applies. For example, if a player has already closed the 20 and an opponent has not, hitting triple 20 and choosing to apply it as scoring on the 20 yields 60 points. If instead the player chooses to apply that same triple 20 as 1 mark toward the Triples category, no points are scored on that dart — it contributes only to closing the Triples objective.

The Doubles and Triples categories do not carry independent point values. They are purely objectives to close and cannot be used to score points against opponents. Points can only be scored through the numbered objectives (20–15) and the Bullseye.

A player wins the game by satisfying both of the following conditions simultaneously: they have closed all nine objectives (20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, Bull, Doubles, and Triples), and their point total is equal to or greater than every opponent's point total.

If a player closes all nine objectives but trails one or more opponents in points, the game continues. That player must keep scoring on any numbers still open to opponents until their point deficit is erased — or until the opponents close those numbers. Conversely, if a player leads in points but has not closed all objectives, they must continue playing to close the remaining categories. In match play, Tactics is typically contested over a fixed number of legs (e.g., best of 5), with each leg played as a complete game.

Strict Tactics (English Tactics): The standard form described above. Only doubles and triples on the numbers 15–20 count toward closing the Doubles and Triples categories. This rewards accuracy on the primary scoring numbers and keeps the dual-purpose decision tightly integrated with number-closing strategy.

Slop Tactics: Any double or triple on the entire board (1–20) counts toward closing the Doubles and Triples categories. This makes closing those categories considerably easier, as players can target comfortable areas of the board (e.g., double 8 or triple 14) when they simply need marks toward those objectives.

Extended Tactics: Adds the numbers 14, 13, and 12 to the standard objectives, expanding the scoreboard to twelve objectives (12–20, Bull, Doubles, Triples). This significantly lengthens the game and demands proficiency over a wider range of the board.

Cut-Throat Tactics: Combines the Tactics format with cut-throat scoring rules. When a player scores points on an open number, those points are added to the totals of all opponents who have not yet closed that number, rather than to the scoring player's own total. The winner is the player who closes all objectives while having the lowest score. This variant is popular in social and pub play with three or more players.

Plan your dual-purpose allocation early: Before the game begins, develop a rough plan for how you will accumulate your 3 Doubles and 3 Triples marks. In Strict Tactics, every throw at 15–20 has potential triple or double value — decide in advance whether your first triple on a fresh number should close marks on the number or bank a mark toward Triples. Changing your plan mid-game is costly.

Use triples to close numbers aggressively, then mop up Triples later: A common approach is to use early triples to close numbers in one dart (e.g., triple 20 = 3 marks, closing the 20 immediately), then dedicate later turns to filling the Triples category. This gets you into scoring position faster. However, if your opponent is also closing numbers quickly, banking Triples marks early can pay off by shortening the endgame.

Close opponents' scoring numbers before chasing Doubles and Triples: If your opponent has opened a number and is racking up points, close that number to stop the bleeding before turning your attention to the Doubles or Triples categories. Letting an opponent score freely on open 20s (at up to 60 points per dart) while you accumulate Triples marks is a losing trade.

In Slop Tactics, exploit the whole board for category marks: If you are playing Slop Tactics and need Doubles or Triples marks, throw at segments you are most comfortable with. Double 16 and double 8 sit in a natural grouping; triple 14 and triple 11 are targets many players find accessible. There is no strategic penalty for using low numbers to close these categories, so play to your strengths.

Track your opponent's remaining objectives carefully: Because Tactics has nine objectives rather than Cricket's seven, it is easier for a trailing player to mount a comeback — there are more open categories where an opponent can be denied scoring or pressured. Always know which objectives your opponent still needs, and prioritise closing shared open numbers to limit their scoring opportunities.