This game variant has the particularity of being suitable for both adults and children. On the other hand, Darts in general are a discipline which, taking place only indoors, can represent an excellent pastime for the little ones, a healthier and cheaper and also less risky alternative to the now ubiquitous video games. The Five game mode, in particular, in addition to the usual skills required to play all the other types of Darts also calls into question other skills, such as the ability to perform rather simple calculations (we are talking about trivial additions and multiplications). This last feature could therefore be exploited for educational purposes and could represent a way to encourage the learning of arithmetic by elementary school children. Obviously, this premise must not be interpreted in a misleading way, since Five can very well be a game formula that can be adopted by older players, without particular contraindications based on age.
How to play Cinque: rules and main features
In this game mode, the number five represents the only point of reference to keep in mind throughout the game. At least two players or two teams of any number of players can take part in a match of five. As usual, each player (or each team) throws three darts for each round and whoever reaches the predefined quota of 50 points first wins (it is however possible to agree to adopt a different threshold, the important thing is that it is always a multiple of 5).
At the end of each turn, each player adds up the values of the hit targets and if he obtains a total equal to five or a multiple thereof he will have to divide it by five: the result will constitute his actual score. The Five, contrary to what it might appear, it is not a variant of controlled target darts because the player is only bound to the achievement of a final goal, but is absolutely free to get there by hitting the sectors he prefers. For example, a multiple of 5 can also be obtained by hitting three targets that do not appear in the respective multiplication table, such as 17, 7 and 6 which, added together, make it possible to total 30 (which, as you know, is equal to 5x6).
From this point of view, it is a game mode that allows the maximum freedom then to the player.
Also because it is necessary to consider the possibility that it is not always possible to hit the target on which one has shot and, in such situations, if one still has darts available, it is necessary to redo the calculations and aim towards different sectors than those initially estimated, to achieve the goal of scoring a multiple of five.
Obviously, when the three darts are thrown and a total divisible by 5 is not obtained, the player will not receive any points. In this regard, a further one is foreseen very important rule. Often and willingly, in fact, the competitive spirit and the desire to win play tricks and you can fall into the temptation to exploit any quibble in order not to be defeated. In fact, it could happen that some players try to be smart and after having obtained a good score with one or two throws, they purposely throw their final dart outside the target so as not to run the risk of ruining their total.
Well, precisely in order to avoid situations of this kind (rather annoying as well as distinctly anti-sporting), in the regulation of the Five there is a rule that immediately resets the score of that player who does not hit any target with at least one dart.
final Thoughts
As we underlined at the beginning, the Five requires a certain flexibility in performing calculations not excessively complex, also due to the need to change plans on the go. As we have seen, this feature can favor the learning and development (at not too advanced levels) of arithmetic skills. When it is said that "you learn by playing", in fact, you are not only reciting an old proverb but also affirming a truth confirmed by numerous scholars. On the other hand, anyone with children will have found that the little ones learn more easily when the notions are "administered" through play. Beyond the purely educational implications, Cinque is mainly recommended for players with little experience, since the level of precision required during throws is not as high as it happens in other versions of the game. There are no particular contraindications for the more skilled players, but it is understandable that perhaps this category of practitioners might want something more convincing.
