The Many Games of Darts: Mickey Mouse

The Object: The object of Mickey Mouse is to "close" all your numbers (20 down through 12, any three doubles, any three triples and bulls-eye). To close a number, you must hit three of that number.

The Scoring: The scoreboard is drawn with the numbers 20 through 12, doubles, triples and bullseye written in descending order down the center of the board. Bullseye is usually abbreviated with a B (or C for cork, another term for the bullseye). Doubles with a D and triples with a T. Each dart that lands in any of the games numbers count toward closing that number. The thin outer ring counts as two of that number or counts as one double. The thin inner ring counts as three of that number or counts as triple. Scoring for one dart is shown by placing a slash ( \ ) next to the number scored. Scoring for two is shown by placing an X next to the number scored. Scoring for three is shown by placing a circle next to the number to indicate it is closed. When three of a number is scored in any combination, it is closed.

Another Variation Here in Texas we play with the objective of closing all numbers 20 down through 15, bulls-eye and in addition any three doubles, any three triples and three in any bed. Scoring is done in the same manner, and we often play for points as done in Cricket.

There are many variations of this game around the country, and likely around the world. I will update this lens as I research the different methods.

The Play: The players each take a turn throwing one dart at bulls-eye, closet dart to the bullseye gets to throw first. The first player throws three darts at any of the scoring numbers to try to close that number. The player then scores the darts that he has thrown and play alternates until one person closes all their numbers.

Strategy: There really is no strategy to this game, simply throwing accurate darts.

The only real decision that can be made in a game is whether to score the doubles and triples as doubles and triples or score them as three of the number you hit. I tend to believe that if I only needed one dart to close the number I score it as a triple. If I needed two or more, I score it for what it's worth. You can also expect that you will be hitting triples right next to the number you were aiming at so you might just want to try scoring all your triples as "splashes".

Some of the better dart players in Korea prefer to play in strict order as the numbers are listed on the scoreboard. This means that splashes don't count and if you hit a triple 20 while aiming at 20's you MUST score it as 20's. This makes for some very LONG games when you get to the triples and doubles sections.

When playing with points, the game gets extremely interesting. The points are scored as you would in Cricket, so with the additional triples as an example, if your opponent has not yet closed their triples any triple you hit will count as points until your opponent closes them.

Rules For Cricket has been republished with permission from mostdartgames.com, The Most Complete Collection Of Dart Games On The Web. If this lens helped you in any way, click over and show your appreciation using the PayPal link at the bottom of any page.