What is Book Cricket?
Book cricket is the back-bench classic: open any thick book at random, read the last digit of the page number, and that is your score — 2, 4, 6 or 8 runs, and a 0 means you are out. This version flips the pages for you, so every ball is a fair random page and nobody can hold a thumb at page 236.
Name the two teams, pick the overs and wickets, and tap to flip. The scoreboard keeps runs, wickets and overs; the second innings shows the target.
Book cricket rules
Take a thick book. The batting team opens it at random and reads the page number on the right-hand side: a page ending in 2, 4, 6 or 8 scores that many runs, a page ending in 0 is out, and odd pages are a dot ball (or one run, if you play that way). Ten wickets or the agreed overs end the innings; the other team chases.
Why the phone version is fairer
Real books fall open where the spine is cracked, and the child who owns the book knows exactly where page 236 lives. The flip here picks a fresh random page every ball, with every last digit equally likely, and keeps the runs, wickets and overs without an argument.
Variations
- Odd = 1 run: more runs, fewer dot balls.
- All-out only: no overs limit; ten wickets decide the innings.
- Super over: one over each to settle a tie.
See also Hand Cricket and the Scoreboard for a real match.
Game setup
How to play Book Cricket
- Name two teams, set overs and wickets.
- Tap Flip. The last digit of the page is the ball: 2, 4, 6, 8 are runs, 0 is out.
- When the wickets fall or the overs end, the other team bats.
- The result card shows the margin.
What the screen does for you
Book Cricket on AllPartyGames.com is the referee, not the whole game: it gives the host Random page flips, Runs, wickets and overs, Target in the second innings. Tap the ? button inside the game for these rules at any time, or 📺 for TV mode on a big screen.
How many players?
Book Cricket works with 2+ players and a typical round takes about 5–15 min. Recommended age: 6+.
Best occasions
Tips
- Use fullscreen on a TV or projector for groups.
- Sound and theme settings are remembered on this device.
Book Cricket FAQ
What are the rules of book cricket?
Open a book at random. The last digit of the page decides the ball: 2, 4, 6 and 8 are runs, 0 is out, and odd numbers are usually a dot ball. Some groups score 1 run for odd pages — that is an option here.
Is the page number really random?
Yes — each flip picks a page between 10 and 309 with every last digit equally likely, which is fairer than a real book that always falls open at the same place.
Is Book Cricket free?
Yes — 100% free with no account required.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes, it is designed for phones first and works on tablets, laptops and TVs.