Cribbage Pegging Strategy

Leading Strategy

The pone (non-dealer) plays first. Your lead sets the tone for the entire pegging round. Bear in mind that the dealer, who replies to every lead and usually plays the last card, tends to peg a little more than the pone; as pone your first job is not to give points away.

Safe Leads (Low Cards)

• 4: The classic lead. No single card can make 15 from it, and if the reply is a ten-card (count 14) an Ace makes 15 for you.
• A, 2, 3: Equally safe from a fifteen (no card is worth 11 or more). The drawback is that small cards are precious late in a count, where they take the go or 31, so lead the 4 and keep the Ace when you have the choice.
• From a pair: Leading one of a pair is a bait. If your opponent pairs it for 2, your third card scores 6.

Dangerous Leads

• 5: Any of the sixteen 10-value cards makes 15. Almost never lead one.
• 6-7-8-9: Each can be fifteened by one card (9, 8, 7 or 6) and they sit in run territory.
• 10-cards: A 5 makes 15, though only four exist; a ten-card lead is an acceptable fallback when you hold nothing low.

Offensive Pegging

When behind or needing points, play aggressively to score:

Tactics for Scoring

• Take the pair when the odds favour you: Pairing a card scores 2 now and risks 6 if they hold a third. Do it when you need the points or when the count makes a third card unlikely; be wary of pairing a lead, which is often a bait from a pair.
• Play to 15 and 31: These are the sure points in the play. Count ahead: which of your cards lands on 15 or 31 after the likely reply?
• Set up runs: Play cards that create run opportunities on your next play.
• Keep 15-makers: Hold onto cards that can make 15 with common totals (5s, 10s).
• Play touching cards: 7-8, 3-4 sequences can trap opponents into giving you runs.

Defensive Pegging

When ahead or protecting a lead, minimize opponent's scoring opportunities:

Defensive Tactics

• Avoid the count of 5: Opponent can easily make 15 with any 10-card.
• Avoid 21: Any 10-card gives opponent 31 for 2 points.
• Play wide of sequences: If they play a 7, answering with a 6 or an 8 invites a run (a 5, 8 or 9 completes it). A King keeps the cards apart.
• Don't pair: Unless you're confident they don't have a third card.
• Play ten-cards while the count is low: A ten on a 4 makes 14, which nothing fifteens except an Ace. Keep Aces, 2s and 3s for the end of the count, where they win the go or 31, and where a hand full of ten-cards gets stuck.

Counting Dangers

Certain counts are especially dangerous. Memorize these:

End of Pegging

The last cards played often determine several points:

• Last card: Worth 1 point, or 2 if it makes 31 (never 3).
• Count remaining cards: Know what opponent likely has left.
• Force the Go: Try to make opponent say Go early so you control the endgame.
• Save low cards: Aces and 2s are easier to play at high counts.

Frequently Asked Questions