Scram is a two-player (or two-team) darts game that combines elements of offence and defence. One player tries to “lock down” certain high-value segments, while the other tries to score on them before they’re all locked out. It’s fast, strategic, and a nice change of pace from the more traditional scoring or chase-style games.
How to Play
- Players & Roles
- Player A starts on offence (the “scorer”), while Player B is on defence (the “blocker”).
- You’ll switch roles halfway through the game, so both players get a turn in each role.
- Segments & Rounds
- Typically, the offence tries to score on 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, and the bull.
- Meanwhile, the defence aims to “block” these segments by hitting each one once (like “closing” in Cricket).
- Offence (Scorer) Rules
- In each round, the offence scores as many points as possible by hitting the open segments (singles, doubles, or trebles).
- Each segment is worth its usual dartboard value (e.g., a triple 20 = 60 points).
- Once the defence has blocked a segment, the offence can no longer score there.
- Defence (Blocker) Rules
- The defence has one goal: to block all the high-value segments as quickly as possible.
- Hitting a segment once blocks it. Hitting it again doesn’t do anything extra—one successful hit is all you need to shut down that segment for the rest of the round.
- Switching Roles
- After a set number of rounds or after the defence has blocked every segment, you swap roles. Now the former offence becomes the blocker and vice versa.
- You reset the “open” segments, so the new offence has the same targets available (20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, bull).
- The second half plays out the same way until those segments are blocked again.
- Scoring & Winning
- Keep track of all points the offence earns during its turn.
- After both halves are complete (each player has had a turn on offence), compare total scores. The higher total wins.
Why It’s Fun
- Offence vs. Defence: Scram is one of the few dart games that gives you a genuine defensive role. It’s a neat change from everyone simply aiming for their own best numbers.
- Tactical Variety: As the blocker, do you try to shut down the big 20 segment first, or strategically block a bull if your opponent loves aiming there? As the scorer, do you go for massive triple shots, or spread out your attempts to pick off points before they’re blocked?
- Short & Sweet: Each half moves quickly, so it’s ideal for two people who want a high-energy, back-and-forth challenge.
Handicap Options
- Extra Darts for a Novice Offence: If one player is new, let them throw 4 darts each round on offence, while the blocker still gets 3.
- Delayed Blocking: Require the blocker to hit each segment twice to block it if you want to give the scorer more breathing room.
- Team Variation: Two players on offence vs. two on defence, rotating throws. This can add camaraderie and shared strategy.