Cribbage – Rules

Play Cribbage against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Cribbage has been popular in England and North America for centuries. Everyone holds just four cards, but they score in many ways: during the alternate play (“pegging”) and afterwards when the hand is shown. Points are traditionally pegged on a wooden board. A third hand, the “crib”, belongs to the dealer.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 52 French cards without jokers.
• Order (for runs): A, 2, 3 … 10, J, Q, K. The ace is always low.
• Counting values (for 15 and 31):

• Cribbage board: Each player has two pegs and always moves the rear one ahead of the front one. Pen and paper work too.
• Face up and face down: Hands and crib face down, the starter face up, pegging cards face up in front of each player.

3. Preparation and start

1. Dealer: Whoever cuts the lower card deals.
2. Deal: Everyone gets 6 cards.
3. Crib: Each player puts 2 cards face down into the dealer's crib. Everyone now has 4 cards.
4. Starter: The non-dealer cuts, the dealer turns up the top card. If it's a jack, the dealer scores 2 points at once (“his heels”).
5. Start: The non-dealer begins the pegging.

Start example: Player 2 deals. Player 1 puts two cards into Player 2's crib. The starter is the 5 of spades.

4. Goal and winning

• Game: The first to reach 121 points wins – even in the middle of a hand.
• Skunk (variant): If the loser has fewer than 91 points, the win counts double.

5. Play in detail

1. Pegging. Players alternately lay a card in front of themselves and announce the running total. The total may not exceed 31.

If a player can't play without exceeding 31, they say “go”. The other keeps playing while they can. Then a new count starts at 0.

2. The show. Each player counts their 4 cards together with the starter: first the non-dealer, then the dealer, finally the crib (for the dealer).

In the crib a flush only counts with all 5 cards.

Example with Players 1 and 2.

1. Pegging: Player 1 plays a 4 (“four”). Player 2 plays a 6 (“ten”). Player 1 plays a 5: “fifteen – and a run 4-5-6”: 2 + 3 = 5 points.
2. Show: Player 1's hand is the 5 of hearts, 5 of clubs, jack of diamonds and 10 of spades; the starter is the 5 of spades.
3. Fifteens: jack + each 5 (3 ×), ten + each 5 (3 ×), 5 + 5 + 5 (1 ×) = 7 × 2 = 14.
4. Pairs: three fives = three pairs = 6. No flush, no “his nobs” (the jack is a diamond, the starter a spade).
5. Player 1's hand scores 20 points.

6. Scoring

• All points are pegged on the board at once.
• Order at the end of the hand: non-dealer, dealer, crib. Whoever reaches 121 wins immediately.
• Highest hand: 29 points (three fives and a jack, with the fourth five of the jack's suit as starter).

7. Special rules and situations

• Muggins (variant): If a player overlooks points, the opponent may claim them.
• 31 reached: The count restarts at 0; the player who didn't make 31 starts.
• Runs in pegging: Only count when the latest cards form an unbroken run.
• Filling the crib: As dealer give yourself good cards; as non-dealer give poor ones.
• Common mistakes: missing fifteens; forgetting that face cards count 10; not pegging go points.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: two players, 6 cards, game to 121.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play two-handed to 121 or 61 points.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Keep fives: With tens and face cards they make many fifteens.
2. Think about the crib: Don't give your opponent fives for their crib.
3. Careful in pegging: Avoid leaving totals your opponent can turn into 15 (e.g. don't lead a 5).
4. Watch runs: Close cards (e.g. 4-5-6) score a lot.
5. Count systematically: Fifteens first, then pairs, runs, flush, his nobs.
6. Near the end: Close to 121, play for pegging points.
7. Count calmly: Better slow than missing points.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 52 cards, 6 to each player.
2. 2 cards each into the dealer's crib.
3. Turn up the starter; jack = 2 for the dealer.
4. Pegging: play alternately, total up to 31.
5. 15 and 31: 2 points; pairs, runs, go, last card.
6. Show: non-dealer, dealer, crib – each with the starter.
7. Each 15 = 2, each pair = 2.
8. Runs 1 per card, flush 4 or 5.
9. Jack of the starter's suit = 1.
10. First to 121 wins.

11. Frequently asked questions

What is the crib?

An extra hand made of two cards from each player. It belongs to the dealer.

How do I count fifteens?

Every combination of cards (hand plus starter) that adds up to 15 scores 2 points – even when cards are reused.

What does “go” mean?

You can't play a card without going over 31. Your opponent scores 1 if they can't play either.

What's the best hand?

29 points: three fives and a jack, with the fourth five in the jack's suit as the starter.

Do I need a board?

No, pen and paper are fine.

How long does a game take?

To 121 points about 20 to 40 minutes.

Origin & history

Cribbage is attributed to the English poet Sir John Suckling in the early 17th century and developed from the older game Noddy. Typical is the wooden board with pegs for keeping score; it is still widespread in British pubs and leagues.