Are you interested in a fun and easy to play dart game?
Well, it will only take a few minutes of your time to learn the ropes of this game, but with that being said, it is a game that can be played for hours.
How to play scram darts? To play scram darts, two dart players compete to accumulate the highest score by playing two rounds. One player is a “scorer” trying to score as many points as they can while the other player is a “stopper”, trying to close the numbers so the “scorer” cannot use them to score points.
If this sounds like a game that you can enjoy playing with your buddies, then continue reading below; you will find more in-depth information, tips, and tricks on how to play scram darts.
Contents
- 1 Rules of Scram Darts
- 1.1 Who Goes First in a Game of Scram Darts?
- 1.2 How Long Is a Game of Scram Darts?
- 1.3 What Is the Throwing Distance When Playing Scram Darts?
- 1.4 Can a Game of Scram Darts End in a Tie?
- 1.5 How to Keep the Score in a Game of Scram Darts?
- 1.6 What Do You Need to Play Scram Darts?
- 1.7 On What Dartboard Can You Play Scram Darts?
- 2 Strategy Principles of Scram Darts?
- 3 What Dart Players Is Scram Darts Best For?
- 4 What Are Some Variations of Scram Darts?
Rules of Scram Darts
The game of scram is best played by two players (or by two teams).
There are two roles which are delegated to each player (or team) at the beginning of the game:
- A stopper; and
- A scorer
The stopper always starts first. They throw three darts. Each number that is hit by the stopper is stopped (or closed) and not available to the scorer.
The scorer throws next. They throw again, three darts, and each number they hit, which has not been already stopped by the stopper this round is going to award them points.
The points are calculated as usual.
Hitting the single area of a number is worth that number, hitting the double is worth twice that number and hitting the triple is worth three times that number. The outer bullseye is worth the standard 25 points and the inner 50.
A number that has been stopped (or closed) will not grant any points to the scorer. The stopper just needs to land one dart on a number anywhere on the board to close it.
The numbers, including the bullseye, are closed until the round ends. Wehn all the numbers have been stopped or closed by the stopper the game ends and the score is calculated.
In the next round, the roles are reversed, and the game is played in the same manner.
After the two rounds have ended, the points of the two players are compared, and the player with the highest score wins the game of scram.
Who Goes First in a Game of Scram Darts?
There are no established rules as to who goes first in a game of scram darts.
So the players can either rotate as they seem fit or each player can throw a single dart at the bullseye. The player that hits closest to the bull can choose if they will be a stopper or a scorer.
Keep in mind that the stopper always goes first.
How Long Is a Game of Scram Darts?
A game of scram darts can take a different amount of time depending on the skill level and accuracy of the players.
But, generally speaking, you can expect a game of scram darts to last from 10 to 30 minutes.
What Is the Throwing Distance When Playing Scram Darts?
A game of scram darts is played by using a dartboard hanged according to the standard throwing measurements, which are as follows:
- For a steel tip dartboard: 7′ 9 1/4″
- For a soft tip dartboard: 8′
Can a Game of Scram Darts End in a Tie?
A game of scram darts can end in a tie if the two players score the same amount of points during each of the two rounds.
If that happens, you can either end the game on a tie or continue playing for two more rounds.
How to Keep the Score in a Game of Scram Darts?
Write the names of the players across the top of the scoreboard. Then write down the numbers 1 through 20, including the bullseye vertically down the center of the scoreboard.
When a number has been stopped (or closed), you place an X next to that number, indicating it cannot be used for scoring anymore.
The score of each player—when they are playing as a scorer—is kept as a running total. You can write the score on the dartboard underneath the player who is scoring.
What Do You Need to Play Scram Darts?
The game of scram darts is very easy and does not require any special equipment or accessories.
You need at least three darts, two players, a dartboard, and means of keeping the score.
On What Dartboard Can You Play Scram Darts?
You can play scram darts on any of the standard dartboards that have the numbers 1 through 20 and the bulls area.
The different types of dartboard play a little differently and are played from a different distance. They also take different kind of darts.
If you will be joining a local league, it is recommended to use a comparable dartboard so that you can play and practice on the right type of dartboard that you will be playing in the league.
Strategy Principles of Scram Darts?
The primary strategy in this game for the stopper—seeing how they always throw first—is to go and close the highest numbers on the board as soon as possible.
Your main focus should be placed on stopping or closing the 20, 19, and 18.
Depending on how the game unfolds and the level of both yours and your opponent’s accuracy, the bullseye may be the next to be closed.
However, it is a fairly small target, and it may be warranted to go for the numbers first as they easier to hit.
On the other hand, going for the bull—even if you don’t hit the bull, you will be hitting other numbers and thus stopping them, so going reasonably early for the bull may also grant you the chance to stop some other numbers as a collateral, so to speak.
As with any game, it is important to play to your opponent’s weaknesses.
If they have trouble hitting a certain number, you can skip it for now and focus on stopping other higher or more valuable numbers. That way, they will be struggling to score high points.
When playing as the scorer, the strategy is simple, go for the most valuable numbers. These are the 20, 19, 18, and the bull.
What Dart Players Is Scram Darts Best For?
The neat thing about this game is that it is a perfect practice game.
Accuracy is important, and there is an added incentive for scoring doubles and triples. So you will be focusing on these
This is an easy dart game that can be played by both beginners or experienced dart players. It is also perfectly suitable for players that want to brush up on their throwing technique.
Of course, more experienced players will have an advantage over newer players. If that is the case, different handicaps can be placed on the better player.
The game is also very straightforward and simple so it can be played by kids too.
The game does not necessarily require any special techniques or skills—and you will definitely not have to worry about things like doubling out, found in games like 501.
What Are Some Variations of Scram Darts?
Since scram darts does not have a lot of complicated rules, so it is possible to add different twists to it making it harder or easier.
- You can limit the scoring area to doubles and triples only for an added challenge;
- You can handicap better players by allowing them to throw one or two darts instead;
- You can implement different closing rules; in a similar fashion to Mickey Mouse darts; or
- You can implement additional rules requiring players to hit the numbers in ascending or descending order.