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Cribbage

The Classic Pegging Board Game

šŸ‘„ 2-4 Players šŸƒ 52-Card Deck ā±ļø 20-30 Minutes šŸ“Š Medium
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Objective
First to 121 points
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Two Phases
Pegging + Counting
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The Crib
Dealer's bonus hand
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Magic Number
15 = 2 points!

What is Cribbage?

Cribbage is a classic card game invented in the 17th century, known for its unique scoring board and fast gameplay. Points are scored through card combinations during two phases: pegging (playing cards) and counting (hand scoring).

What makes Cribbage unique is the crib - a bonus hand that belongs to the dealer, created from discards!

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Equipment

Cards: Standard 52-card deck

Board: Cribbage board with pegs (120 holes per player + finish)

No board? Use paper to track - first to 121 points wins!

Card Values

Point Values (for making 15 and pegging)
Ace 1 point
Number Cards (2-10) Face value
Face Cards (J, Q, K) 10 points each

Setup & Deal

  1. Determine First Dealer
    Cut the deck - lowest card deals first. Dealer alternates each round. Being dealer is advantageous (you get the crib)!
  2. Deal 6 Cards Each
    Deal 6 cards to each player (for 2 players). For 3-4 players, deal 5 cards each.
  3. Create the Crib
    Each player discards 2 cards face-down to form the crib (4 cards total). The crib belongs to the dealer and is scored at the end.
  4. Cut for the Starter
    Non-dealer cuts the deck. Dealer turns over the top card of the lower half - this is the starter (or "cut card").
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His Heels (Nibs)

If the starter is a Jack, the dealer immediately pegs 2 points! This is called "His Heels" or "Nibs."

Phase 1: The Play (Pegging)

Players take turns playing cards, trying to score points while counting to 31.

  1. Non-Dealer Plays First
    Play a card face-up, announcing its value. (Example: Play a 7, say "Seven.")
  2. Add to Running Total
    Next player plays a card, adding to the total. (Example: They play a 5, say "Twelve.")
  3. Don't Exceed 31
    You cannot play a card that pushes the total over 31. If you can't play, say "Go."
  4. "Go" Rules
    When opponent says "Go," you must play any cards you can. The last person to play pegs 1 point (or 2 if hitting exactly 31).
  5. Reset to Zero
    After reaching 31 or both saying "Go," reset count to zero and continue playing remaining cards.
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Pegging Points

Score points DURING play for: hitting 15 (2 pts), hitting 31 (2 pts), pairs/triples (2-12 pts), runs (1 pt per card). More details in Scoring tab!

Phase 2: Counting Hands

After all cards are played, count the hands in this order:

  1. 1. Non-Dealer's Hand
    Non-dealer counts their 4 cards PLUS the starter (5 cards total). Peg the points.
  2. 2. Dealer's Hand
    Dealer counts their 4 cards plus the starter. Peg the points.
  3. 3. The Crib
    Dealer counts the 4 crib cards plus the starter. Peg those points too!
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Order Matters!

Non-dealer counts first. If they reach 121 before dealer counts, they WIN - even if dealer would have scored more!

Pegging Points (During Play)

Score While Playing Cards
Fifteen (total = 15) 2 points
Thirty-One (total = 31) 2 points
Last Card ("Go") 1 point
Pair (same rank) 2 points
Three of a kind 6 points
Four of a kind 12 points
Run (3+ in sequence) 1 point per card
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Pegging Runs

Runs don't have to be played in order! If cards played are 7-5-6, that's still a 3-card run (3 points). 4-7-5-6 = 4-card run (4 points)!

Hand Scoring (Counting)

Count your 4 cards PLUS the starter card (5 cards total):

Counting Combinations
Fifteen (any combo = 15) 2 points each
Pair 2 points
Three of a kind (3 pairs) 6 points
Four of a kind (6 pairs) 12 points
Run of 3 3 points
Run of 4 4 points
Run of 5 5 points
Flush (4 same suit in hand) 4 points
Flush (5 same suit w/ starter) 5 points
Nobs (Jack same suit as starter) 1 point
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Crib Flush Rule

In the crib, a flush only counts if ALL 5 cards (including starter) are the same suit. 4-card flushes don't count in the crib!

Example Hand

Hand: 5ā™„ 5ā™¦ 5ā™  Jā™£    Starter: 5ā™£

Counting This Hand
Four 5s = six pairs 12 points
J+5=15 (four ways) 8 points
Total 20 points
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Perfect 29!

The maximum possible hand is 29 points: three 5s + Jack (same suit as starter 5). It's incredibly rare!

Common Counting Phrases

  • "Fifteen two, fifteen four..." - Counting each 15 combination
  • "...and a pair is six" - Adding 2 for a pair
  • "...and a run of three is nine" - Adding 3 for a run
  • "...and nobs is ten" - Adding 1 for Jack matching starter suit

Discarding to the Crib

When YOU Are Dealer (Your Crib)

  1. Give Good Cards
    5s are the best crib cards (make lots of 15s). Pairs, cards close together, and face cards are good too.
  2. Keep 5s in Hand If Possible
    5s work double - good in hand AND crib. Keep them unless you have a better combination.

When OPPONENT Is Dealer (Their Crib)

  1. "Balk" the Crib
    Give WORSE cards to opponent's crib. Avoid 5s, pairs, and cards close in rank.
  2. Split Pairs When Balking
    If you must discard, A-K (far apart) is safer than 7-8 (could make runs).
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The "Poison" Cards

Never give opponent's crib a 5 if you can avoid it. Two 5s = 2 points minimum, but likely 6-8+ with other 10-value cards!

Pegging Strategy

  1. Lead Low Cards
    Starting with cards 4 or less prevents opponent from making 15 immediately.
  2. Avoid Playing to 21
    If count is 21, opponent playing a 10-card scores 2 for thirty-one!
  3. Pair Cautiously
    If you pair, opponent might triple for 6 points. Consider if it's worth the risk.
  4. Save Low Cards
    Keeping low cards gives you more chances to play last and score the "Go."

Common Mistakes

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Miscounting 15s

Check every combination! With 5-5-5-J-K, the J and K each make 15 with EVERY 5 = 8 points just from 15s!

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Forgetting Double Runs

5-5-6-7 has TWO runs (5-6-7 twice) = 6 points for runs, plus the pair (2 pts) = 8 just from runs and pairs!

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Giving 5s to Opponent's Crib

5s combine with 10-value cards (J, Q, K, 10) for easy 15s. Avoid giving them away!

Popular Variations

Three-Player Cribbage ā–¼

Adaptations for 3 players:

  • Deal 5 cards each + 1 to crib
  • Each player discards 1 card to crib (4 total)
  • Play and count normally
  • Some use triangular boards
Four-Player (Partners) ā–¼

Partnership play:

  • Partners sit across from each other
  • Deal 5 cards each, discard 1 to crib
  • Team scores are combined
  • First team to 121 wins
Five-Card Cribbage ā–¼

The original version:

  • Deal 5 cards, discard 2 to crib
  • Play with only 3 cards each
  • Play to 61 points (not 121)
  • Faster games
Muggins (Optional Rule) ā–¼

Penalty for miscounting:

  • If you miss points when counting, opponent can call "Muggins!"
  • Opponent then scores YOUR missed points
  • Encourages careful counting
  • Common in tournament play
Skunking ā–¼

Winning by a large margin:

  • Skunk: Win while opponent is 30+ points behind (under 91)
  • Double Skunk: Opponent under 61 points
  • Often counts as 2 or 3 game wins
  • Adds pressure in close games!

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