How to Play Cribbage

What is Cribbage?

Cribbage is a classic card game for two players that combines elements of luck with strategic thinking. Invented in the early 17th century by Sir John Suckling, an English poet, the game has remained popular for over 400 years due to its perfect blend of skill and chance.

Unlike many card games, cribbage uses a unique scoring board with pegs to track points. The game involves multiple scoring opportunities during each hand, including a "pegging" phase and a "counting" phase, making it endlessly engaging.

Equipment You'll Need

• Standard 52-card deck: No jokers needed.
• Cribbage board: Traditional boards have 121 holes per player in two parallel tracks, plus a starting point. Each player uses two pegs.
• Two players: While variants exist for 3-4 players, cribbage is traditionally a two-player game.

Don't have a physical board? Play cribbage online and the scoring is handled automatically!

Game Setup

1. Determine the dealer: Each player cuts the deck. The player with the lower card deals first. (Ace is low.)
2. Set up the board: Place both pegs in the starting position for each player.
3. Know the goal: First player to reach 121 points wins.

Dealing and the Crib

The dealer shuffles and deals 6 cards to each player. Here's what happens next:

1. Each player looks at their cards and selects 2 cards to discard face-down.
2. These 4 discarded cards form the "crib" which belongs to the dealer.
3. Both players now have 4 cards in their hand.
4. The non-dealer cuts the remaining deck, and the dealer reveals the top card as the "starter" or "cut card."
5. If the starter is a Jack, the dealer immediately scores 2 points ("His Heels" or "Two for his heels").

The Pegging Phase

Pegging is the first scoring phase where players alternate playing cards. The non-dealer plays first.

How Pegging Works

1. Play cards face-up, announcing the running total (e.g., play a 7, say "7"; opponent plays a 4, says "11").
2. The count cannot exceed 31.
3. If you can't play without going over 31, say "Go".
4. Your opponent plays any remaining cards they can, then the count resets to 0.
5. Continue until all cards are played.

Pegging Scores

• 15: Reaching exactly 15 scores 2 points.
• 31: Reaching exactly 31 scores 2 points.
• Go/Last card: If opponent says "Go" and you can't play more, score 1 point.
• Pair: Playing a card matching the previous card scores 2 points.
• Pair Royal: Three of a kind scores 6 points.
• Double Pair Royal: Four of a kind scores 12 points.
• Run: Three or more cards in sequence (doesn't need to be in order played) scores 1 point per card.

Learn more about cribbage scoring rules for detailed examples.

Counting Your Hand

After pegging, players count their hands using the starter card as a fifth card. The non-dealer counts first.

Scoring Combinations

• Fifteens: Any combination totaling 15 = 2 points each
• Pairs: Two cards of same rank = 2 points
• Runs: Three+ cards in sequence = 1 point per card
• Flush: Four cards same suit in hand = 4 points
  (5 points if starter matches suit too)
• Nobs: Jack of starter's suit = 1 point

Counting the Crib

After both hands are counted, the dealer counts the crib. The crib follows the same rules except:

• Flushes in the crib require all 5 cards (including the starter) to be the same suit.

Winning the Game

The first player to reach 121 points wins. You can win during any phase:

• During pegging
• While counting your hand
• While counting the crib (dealer only)

This means the non-dealer has an advantage - they count their hand first and can win before the dealer counts their hand or crib.

Skunks

If you win while your opponent is significantly behind, you "skunk" them:

• Skunk: Win before opponent reaches 91 points (counts as 2 games)
• Double Skunk: Win before opponent reaches 61 points (counts as 3 games)

Frequently Asked Questions