Hand Cricket
Shortcuts: Ctrl+P pause · Ctrl+M sound · Enter play again
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About Hand Cricket
Hand Cricket is the paper-and-fingers game from school playgrounds, turned into a quick duel against the computer. Both sides pick a number from 1 to 6 at the same time. When the numbers differ, the batter scores the number they chose. When they match, the batter is out. It is simple enough to learn in one round, but there is real guessing and nerve involved.
It suits players of any age and takes only two to five minutes. You bat first with two wickets, then switch to bowling while the computer chases your total. A good game ends with a sizeable score on your own innings and a defended target after the computer has used up its two wickets.
How to play Hand Cricket
- In the first innings you bat. Choose any number from 1 to 6.
- If the computer shows a different number, those runs are added. If it shows the same one, you lose a wicket.
- You have two wickets, and the innings ends when both are gone.
- Next you bowl. The computer needs one more run than your total to win.
- This time you try to match the computer's number to get it out. The game ends when it is out twice or reaches the target.
Controls
| Keyboard and mouse | Click one of the six number buttons below the pitch, or press the 1 to 6 keys on your keyboard. |
|---|---|
| Phone and tablet | Tap the number button you want. Buttons are locked briefly while the two hands are revealed, so wait for the result before tapping again. |
Scoring
Your final score is five times your batting runs, plus a flat bonus of 100 if you bowl the computer out before it reaches the target. If it chases the total down, you keep only the five-times-runs part. A big first innings is the surest way to a strong number.
Tips and strategy
- Mix your numbers up. After a few balls the computer sometimes repeats the number you have used most, so a predictable high pick can get you out.
- Pick 6 rarely and at unexpected moments. It scores the most, but also looks like the obvious choice, which makes it risky.
- Low numbers such as 1 and 2 are a safe way to survive a wicket, but they give you very few runs to defend.
- While bowling, remember the computer leans toward 4, 5 and 6 about a third of the time. Matching one of those can get it out early.
- Keep an eye on the target shown at the bottom during the chase. When the gap is small, choose the number you think the computer will not expect.
Hand Cricket FAQ
▸How many wickets does each side have?
Two. Each time the numbers match, the batter loses one, so an innings ends on the second match.
▸Is the computer cheating?
No. While you bat it chooses randomly, sometimes copying the number you pick most. While it bats, it chooses randomly but leans toward bigger numbers some of the time.
▸How do I win?
Get the computer out twice before it scores more than your total. If it reaches your total plus one run first, it wins the match.
