How to Play Cribbage

Players: 2 (3–4 variants exist) · Deck: standard 52 cards plus a cribbage board · Goal: be first to peg 121 points.

Card values for counting: face cards 10, aces 1, everything else face value.

The deal and the crib

1. Cut for deal; low card deals first. The deal alternates each hand.
2. Deal six cards each.
3. Each player discards two cards face down into the crib, which belongs to the dealer.
4. The non-dealer cuts the deck and the dealer turns up the top card as the starter. If it's a Jack, the dealer pegs 2 (his heels).

The play (pegging)

Starting with the non-dealer, take turns laying one card face up in front of you, announcing the running total. The total can't go over 31. Score as you play:

• Bring the total to exactly 15: 2
• Bring it to exactly 31: 2
• Pair the previous card: 2; three of a kind: 6; four of a kind: 12
• Complete a run of 3 or more (in any order): 1 per card
• Go: if your opponent can't play without passing 31, you peg 1 for the last card (2 if it hits 31 exactly)

After 31 or a go, the count resets to zero and play continues until all cards are played.

The show (counting hands)

Pick up your four cards and count them together with the starter. Non-dealer counts first, then the dealer's hand, then the crib for the dealer.

• Each combination adding to 15: 2
• Each pair: 2
• Each run of 3+: 1 per card
• Flush: 4 for four of one suit in hand, 5 if the starter matches. The crib only scores a flush with all five.
• Nobs: Jack in hand matching the starter's suit: 1

Winning

First to 121 wins immediately, even mid-hand, which is why the non-dealer counts first. Win before your opponent reaches 91 and it's a skunk, counting as two games.

Tips

• Toss fives and pairs into your own crib; avoid giving them to your opponent's.
• Lead a card under 5 so your opponent can't make 15.

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