Cribbage Strategy

Transform from casual player to strategic master. Learn the tactics that separate winners from the rest.

Quick Strategy Tips

When You're Dealer

  • • Keep cards that work together (5s, 10s, sequences)
  • • Throw good cards to your crib without weakening your hand
  • • A pair of 5s, a 5 with a ten-card, 7-8 or 2-3 are excellent crib throws

When You're Pone

  • • Avoid throwing 5s to the opponent's crib
  • • Avoid giving pairs or touching cards (4-5, 7-8)
  • • Balance your hand scoring vs denying the crib: a point kept is worth about a point denied

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