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06/06/08 Cricket Strategy
There is only one darter, I am convinced, who totally understands the game of cricket or even DC (dirty cricket) and his name is dart professional Tony Payne, of Ohio in the USA. Years and years ago he wrote a very successful column in Bulls Eye News Magazine called "Thermonuclear Cricket" and it was, and is, the authoritative best of the best with regard to cricket. There is no other darter on this planet who understands cricket better and is able to win more matches based on his expertise. Well, after years and years of planning, and lots of empty promises from the magazine, Bulls Eye News Magazine (complete with its brand new logo) has resurrected Payne's column on "Thermonculear Cricket.". This way darters everywhere, professional, beginners, and everyone in between can benefit from Payne's cricket knowledge and expertise. That said, if you want to get better at the game of cricket then you absolutely MUST pick up the latest copy of BEN (Bulls Eye News Magazine).
Who is Payne? He is a darter of above average skill who was able to make a name for himself by his win-record in the 80s and by his approach to cricket alone. He was and is a professional darter though like most, I doubt he is getting rich from playing or writing about darts. Truly playing darts is a labor of love and Panye thrives on the game of cricket. Don't ever think you're behind or that you are going to lose because Payne will show you the errors of your ways and teach you how to turn the game around and win. Cricket is just one of those games that gets you addicted on the strategy and it is one game that with each turn, with only 3 great darts, you can turn the entire game around and win. Indeed, Payne is a force to be reckoned with.
From Ohio, he has traveled to tournaments all over the country, if not the world! For years he took a sabbatical and now has come back stronger than ever. After years of hiding, take his appearance and record at the local PDC tournament in Las Vegas a few years back. He had every chance of progressing to the next round on television no less, but it didn't happen. Still, Payne is a strong as they come and he is back. Additionally, his new found interest and desire to live by the principles of spirituality and religion has tempered his bad behavior from the 80s and he is actually a very personable fellow. Make no mistakes though, Payne is DEADLY at the dartboard.
Chicago format is played regularly here in the big city and this includes a combination of '301 DI-DO, '501 OI-DO and cricket. Lots of people can hit big numbers and lots of people can even hit their doubles when they need to but there are not a lot of darters who can play a good game of cricket, over and over and win, again and again and again. That's were Payne comes in because through his column he takes you step by step on what you should do with each dart in order to win the game and the match.
First of all, if you plan to win the game of cricket you had best learn how to throw a dart, hit the board and hit your targets. Next, many cricket players play the numbers in order. How boring! The first darter goes for 20s, the second darter goes for 20s. The first darter goes for 19s, the next darter goes for 19s. Well, cricket is played with all the cricket numbers on the board and that would be 15 through 20 and the double-bull. Take advantage of these other numbers and forget about the concept of hitting cricket numbers in order. If you want to win, play the board and take advantage of all the numbers, and not necessarily in order.
Next - a double-bull is worth 50 points and 50 points is more than a triple-16 (48 points) and a triple 15 (45 points). This may seem like a radical idea but one worth trying...After closing the 17s, move your focus right to the bullseye. Not only will you intimidate your partner but 50 points is worth more than 48 or 45, on any given day of the week.
As for point mongoring, will this help you win the game? Probably. Is this needed? Probably not. The goal of the game is to close your numbers as soon as possible and have equal to or more points than your partner. That said, one doesn't need to mongor points unmercifully. Instead concentrate on the close and remaining 4 darts ahead of your opponent. If you throw a game where you are four darts away from your opponent, there is no way that you are going to lose because your opponent only has 3 darts.
That's my take on the world of cricket - if you really want to become the best cricket player ever then check out Payne's new column on "Thermonuclear Cricket" in the latest issue of Bull's Eye News Magazine. It's about time this column is back and maybe it's time for Payne to write a book about it all.
Shoot well and I'll see you at the line.
And if you want to become a lean, mean cricket machine and a force to be reckoned with - read and practice Payne's stragegy: Thermonuclear Cricket at Bull's Eye News Magazine
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