What is Tic-Tac-Toe Darts?
Tic-tac-toe darts is a fun game that combines the simple game of tic tac toe and darts. The standard rules of the pen and paper game apply here when scoring with darts.
It can be played by only two people or two teams.
The main objective here is to get a tic tac toe, having three X’s or O’s in a row either vertically, horizontally or diagonally.
How to score Tic-Tac-Toe Darts
The players begin by each throwing a dart aiming at the bull’s eye. The one who strikes closest gets to go first.
Three tic tac toe boards are then drawn on the scoreboard. One small one for each of the two players or teams. Then, one larger one is drawn between the small ones.
The smaller ones are used to mark whatever the player hits on the dart board whereas the big one is used for the actual TIC TAC toe game.
A player must first ‘close’ a number in the small board in order to place an X or an O in the bigger game board. Three of a specific number must be scored in order to close that specific number.
In this case, the thin outer ring, known as the ‘double’ ring, counts as two of that number. Because landing there is known as scoring a double.
In the event that it lands on the thin inner ring, known as the ‘triples’ ring, it counts as a three. The single regions are the ones that lie between the doubles and triples rings and between the triples ring and the bull’s eye.
The numbers used have a similar placement to the tic tac toe box they represent and they all appear on the dartboard.
12 | 20 | 18 |
11 | 6 | |
7 | 3 | 2 |
Let’s take a case where a player hits a double 2, single 2 and single 6.
They would place a circle in the bottom right hand corner box in his small box to indicate that he closed 2. They would then draw a slash the middle right hand side box to indicate the single 6 he scored. They can now claim by placing his X or O in the lower right-hand side corner in the big box because he closed 2 first.
Tic Tac Toe Darts Gameplay
From the two small boards on either side of the big board, the one on the left goes to the one who goes first.
The player to go first is determined by picking the player who threw the dart closest to the bull’s eye. After the player’s name is written above the left-hand side board, he chooses to be either X’s or O’s.
That is also written near his small board if the player chooses.
The first player gets the chance to close numbers quickly in order to place an X or O where he chooses. This only applies to numbers that count in the tic tac toe board.
The player closes off a number by scoring three of that number, he places a O on his small board then his X or O in the big box.
However, if he only scores a two for a number that counts, he draws an ‘X’ in his small board and a slash ‘/’ when he only scores one.
The aim is to close numbers that count as quickly as possible to places the Xs and Os where chosen. The players play alternatively until someone wins a tic tac toe or the game is a draw.
Tic-Tac-Toe Darts Strategy
This game not only requires skill in playing darts but also skill in playing tic tac toe. Tic tac toe is a simple game to learn and play.
However it requires skill and predictive thinking. This will enable you anticipate your opponent’s next move after you make yours. To play this rule of darts it is essential that you first know how to play tic tac toe.
Conclusion
Tic-tac-toe darts is a fun game for people of all ages. However, it is limited to the number of players or teams who can play.
If you're playing with a large group, it's best to play in teams. It is challenging as dart skills of grouping are required to make sure a number is closed. Grouping is where the darts hit very close to each other.
Another challenging aspect is the fact that only selected numbers count and if you hit a number that doesn’t there is no score.
These challenges make the game more interesting and can also be used as a handicap for highly skilled players. This is best for people who are in twos and mostly preferred by children rather than as a bar game.
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