← Back to Games

Cribbage

A classic combination of card play and board strategy

Overview

Cribbage is a card game for two to four players, though it works best with two. The game combines elements of card play with a unique scoring system tracked on a cribbage board. The first player to reach 121 points wins.

Players: 2-4 (best with 2)
Deck: Standard 52-card deck
Goal: First to 121 points

Scoreboard

Use this interactive cribbage board to track your score. Drag the pegs to move them along the track. Select the number of players to show the appropriate number of tracks.

P1
S
5
10
15
20
25
30
60
55
50
45
40
35
65
70
75
80
85
90
120
115
110
105
100
95
🏆
P2
S
5
10
15
20
25
30
60
55
50
45
40
35
65
70
75
80
85
90
120
115
110
105
100
95
🏆
Player 1Front: 0 | Back: 0
Player 2Front: 0 | Back: 0

Drag pegs to move them along the track. The track snakes back and forth like a paperclip — follow the path from Start (S) to the finish (🏆).

Setup

  1. Each player draws a card; lowest card deals first
  2. Dealer shuffles and non-dealer cuts
  3. Deal 6 cards to each player (5 cards each for 3-4 players)
  4. Each player discards 2 cards face-down to form the "crib" (dealer's extra hand)
  5. Non-dealer cuts deck; dealer turns up top card as the "starter"

Card Values

  • Aces: 1 point
  • 2-10: Face value
  • Face cards (J, Q, K): 10 points each

The Play

Players alternate playing cards face-up, announcing the running total:

  1. Non-dealer plays first
  2. Running count cannot exceed 31
  3. If you cannot play without exceeding 31, say "Go"
  4. Opponent scores 1 point for "Go" and continues if possible
  5. Last player to play scores 1 point (or 2 if exactly 31)
  6. Count resets to zero and play continues
  7. Continue until all cards are played

Scoring During Play

Fifteen2 pointsRunning count reaches exactly 15
Pair2 pointsMatching rank of previous card
Three of a Kind6 pointsThree cards of same rank in a row
Four of a Kind12 pointsFour cards of same rank in a row
Run (3+ cards)1 per cardSequential ranks (suits don't matter)
Go1 pointOpponent cannot play without exceeding 31
Thirty-One2 pointsRunning count reaches exactly 31

Scoring Hands (The Show)

After play, each player counts their hand (with the starter card). Non-dealer counts first, then dealer counts their hand and the crib.

Fifteen2 pointsAny combination totaling 15
Pair2 pointsTwo cards of same rank
Three of a Kind6 pointsThree pairs total
Four of a Kind12 pointsSix pairs total
Run (3+ cards)1 per cardSequential ranks (suits irrelevant)
Flush (4 cards)4 pointsAll hand cards same suit (not starter)
Flush (5 cards)5 pointsHand + starter all same suit
Nobs (Right Jack)1 pointJack of same suit as starter
Nibs (His Heels)2 pointsJack turned as starter (dealer only)

Important Rules

  • Muggins: If a player fails to claim points, opponent may claim them by saying "Muggins" (optional rule)
  • Crib flush: Flush in the crib must include the starter card (all 5 cards same suit)
  • Combinations: Count all possible combinations separately (e.g., 5-5-5-10 counts as three pairs = 6 points, plus four fifteens = 8 points, total 14)
  • Pegging out: Game ends immediately when a player reaches 121, even mid-count
  • Skunk: Winning before opponent reaches 91 points (double skunk at 61)

Strategy Tips

  • Discard cards to the crib strategically based on whether it's your crib
  • Save 5s for your own crib, avoid giving 5s to opponent's crib
  • Lead with cards unlikely to make 15 (A, 2, 3)
  • Keep cards that work together (pairs, runs, fifteens)
  • Count your hand carefully - missing points can cost the game
  • Watch the count during play to anticipate pegging opportunities