Hitting Those Cricket Numbers to Win...
From Ron:
I have fought with myself in this stage of strategy over and over. In the beginning it was the bulls are the last stop. Then I learned I had to go for them much earlier in games I was behind in point's or open numbers. This puts pressure on the thought bull's are the last stop, cause in some scenario's it's just the beginning.
It's hard to start a game with bullseye's unless you hit a double and two single's at least to put any pressure on your opponent. To leave your opponent the 20's, is a pretty cocky thing to do in the first place. Even though I have done it once or twice just to see my opponents reaction. Surprisingly it works, but I wouldn't dare try this in a tournament.
I shoot with a four person team on a Monday night cricket league. All cricket all night, so it's important to know good strategy. When to make the right decision's when needed. It's easy to know your ahead and go for bulls. The decision that makes a difference is when your behind in point's and close, instead of shooting fifteen's why not try bullseye? There is a lot to weigh in that decision.
1. How good is your opponent?
2. Is the point lead close?
3. Are you conformable with shooting bulls?
4. Are you willing to take the risk?
After while I learned to jump ahead of the fifteen's and sixteen's in some scenario's to open the bullseye and point to switch the momentum of the game. It all depends on the feel of the game for me, if I have the confidence to jump two potential numbers. Of course the basic strategies that you'll always hear is open and point the 16 and 15's first, before going for the bullseye. I agree with this for beginners and intermediate players. As you mature as a player, you learn that the value of the double bull or two bullseye's are worth more then a trip 16 or trip 15. I prefer to aim at the bigger target in close games or when the pressure is high, it just seems easier to me to hit.
Most dramatic wins are games you come from behind to win using the bullseye. It is that much more appreciated. The respect is there and you now you did a good job using the bulls for a come from behind victory. Ask a guy who is 200 points a head, from pointing the 20 before shooting one bull how much respect he has? Not much or they don't care as long as they win. This is the type of player that'll most likely become a victim of those dramatic come from behind games.
Always remember it doesn't matter how fast you can open or close the rest of the cricket numbers, if you can't hit the bullseye, you'll lose more then you'll win. You've probably had an intermediate player have you dead to rights with all but bullseye open and points to boot. Only to lose to you cause he/she couldn't hit more then one bull a round or less. I've seen it many of times, and still seem to find one or two such matches at every tournament.
What are your thoughts?
~ Ron
From Sherilyn...
Dear Ron - I've definitely got some thoughts on this column and you picked a great topic! Just love this game, and just love cricket. I'll add my notes as soon as I've got a free moment! Again, great topic!
I have fought with myself in this stage of strategy over and over. In the beginning it was the bulls are the last stop. Then I learned I had to go for them much earlier in games I was behind in point's or open numbers. This puts pressure on the thought bull's are the last stop, cause in some scenario's it's just the beginning.
It's hard to start a game with bullseye's unless you hit a double and two single's at least to put any pressure on your opponent. To leave your opponent the 20's, is a pretty cocky thing to do in the first place. Even though I have done it once or twice just to see my opponents reaction. Surprisingly it works, but I wouldn't dare try this in a tournament.
I shoot with a four person team on a Monday night cricket league. All cricket all night, so it's important to know good strategy. When to make the right decision's when needed. It's easy to know your ahead and go for bulls. The decision that makes a difference is when your behind in point's and close, instead of shooting fifteen's why not try bullseye? There is a lot to weigh in that decision.
1. How good is your opponent?
2. Is the point lead close?
3. Are you conformable with shooting bulls?
4. Are you willing to take the risk?
After while I learned to jump ahead of the fifteen's and sixteen's in some scenario's to open the bullseye and point to switch the momentum of the game. It all depends on the feel of the game for me, if I have the confidence to jump two potential numbers. Of course the basic strategies that you'll always hear is open and point the 16 and 15's first, before going for the bullseye. I agree with this for beginners and intermediate players. As you mature as a player, you learn that the value of the double bull or two bullseye's are worth more then a trip 16 or trip 15. I prefer to aim at the bigger target in close games or when the pressure is high, it just seems easier to me to hit.
Most dramatic wins are games you come from behind to win using the bullseye. It is that much more appreciated. The respect is there and you now you did a good job using the bulls for a come from behind victory. Ask a guy who is 200 points a head, from pointing the 20 before shooting one bull how much respect he has? Not much or they don't care as long as they win. This is the type of player that'll most likely become a victim of those dramatic come from behind games.
Always remember it doesn't matter how fast you can open or close the rest of the cricket numbers, if you can't hit the bullseye, you'll lose more then you'll win. You've probably had an intermediate player have you dead to rights with all but bullseye open and points to boot. Only to lose to you cause he/she couldn't hit more then one bull a round or less. I've seen it many of times, and still seem to find one or two such matches at every tournament.
What are your thoughts?
~ Ron
From Sherilyn...
Dear Ron - I've definitely got some thoughts on this column and you picked a great topic! Just love this game, and just love cricket. I'll add my notes as soon as I've got a free moment! Again, great topic!