How to Play Cribbage

Cribbage is a classic card game dating back to the 17th century, traditionally played with a wooden pegging board. It combines elements of strategy, arithmetic, and luck across two distinct phases: pegging and hand scoring. The race to 121 points makes every decision count.

Objective

Be the first player to reach exactly 121 points by scoring during pegging (the play) and during the show (hand counting). Points are tracked on a cribbage board.

Setup

• Use a standard 52-card deck. Best with 2 players (variants exist for 3-4).
• Deal 6 cards to each player.
• Each player discards 2 cards face-down to form the crib (4 cards total). The crib belongs to the dealer.
• Cut the remaining deck to reveal the starter card (also called the "turn-up").
• If the starter is a Jack, the dealer immediately pegs 2 points ("his heels").
• Card values for pegging: Aces = 1, face cards = 10, number cards = face value.

The Play (Pegging)

• Non-dealer plays first. Players alternate laying cards face-up, announcing the running total.
• The running total cannot exceed 31. If you cannot play without going over, say "Go."
• When a player says "Go," the opponent continues playing until they also cannot. The last player to play scores 1 point (or 2 for hitting exactly 31).
• The count resets to zero and play continues until all cards are played.

Pegging Scores

• 15 — Running total hits 15: score 2 points.
• 31 — Running total hits 31: score 2 points.
• Pair — Play a card matching the previous card's rank: 2 points.
• Three of a kind — Third consecutive same-rank card: 6 points.
• Four of a kind — Fourth consecutive same-rank card: 12 points.
• Run — Three or more cards forming a consecutive sequence (any order): 1 point per card.
• Last card — Playing the final card (if not 31): 1 point.

The Show (Hand Scoring)

After pegging, each player scores their 4-card hand plus the starter card (5 cards total):

• Fifteens — Each combination totaling 15: 2 points each.
• Pairs — Each pair of same-rank cards: 2 points.
• Runs — Sequences of 3+ consecutive cards: 1 point per card in the run.
• Flush — All 4 hand cards same suit: 4 points (5 if starter matches).
• Nobs — Jack in hand matching starter's suit: 1 point.

Non-dealer counts first, then dealer counts their hand, then dealer counts the crib (same rules, but flushes need all 5 cards matching).

Strategy Tips

• Discard wisely to the crib — Give the crib strong cards when you're dealer, weak cards when you're not.
• Avoid discarding 5s — Fives make it easy for the crib to hit 15 combinations.
• Keep cards close in rank — Adjacent cards form runs for pegging and showing.
• Count to 15 and 31 — During pegging, aim for these totals to score extra points.
• Lead low cards — Starting with a low card minimizes the risk of your opponent hitting 15.
• Track the board position — Play aggressively when behind, conservatively when ahead.

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