Cribbage Rules – How to Play

Want a rummy card game that’s got more twists and turns than a Shakespearean drama, but packs up neater than a brand new deck? That’s Cribbage for you. Invented way back in the 17th century by some poet fellow named Sir John Suckling (probably after a losing hand at something less exciting called “Noddy”), this game has stood the test of time for a reason. It’s got strategy woven through every hand, a dash of luck to keep you on your toes, and it’s the perfect excuse to gather around a table with friends.

Whether you’re a complete beginner struggling to tell your fifteens from your flushes, or you’ve played a hand or two but keep getting “skunked”, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about Cribbage rules and how to play, all while keeping it light, fun, and easy to understand. We’ll unpack those tricky scoring combinations, share some insider strategy tips, and even show you a few variations to keep your game nights fresh. Forget those long-winded tutorials – we’re diving straight into the fun stuff. Get ready to count some cards and rack up those points!

I. Cribbage Rules

1. What You Need

Alright, let’s break down the actual game. First, you’ll need a standard deck of 52 cards – none of that fancy tarot stuff here. A Cribbage board is cool for keeping track of points, but a pen and paper work too. Two players is classic, but you can wrangle up a whole crew with variations for three or four.

2. Card Values and Ranking

Ace is low (sorry, buddy, he only counts as one), face cards are all 10, and the rest are face value.

3. The Deal

Low card in the cut deals first – gotta keep things fair, right? You’re dealt six cards each, then comes the tricky part: ditching two into the “crib.” Now, the crib belongs to the dealer for scoring later, so think of it like this: if you’re NOT the dealer, you want to toss in cards that’ll make them cry. Dealer wants those high-scoring combos.

4. The Starter Card

Once you’ve prepped the crib, the non-dealer cuts the deck, dealer flips over the top card – that’s your “starter”. Jack pops up? Two points for the dealer right off the bat – “two for his heels,” they call it. Now the real fun begins: “The Play”.

5. The Play (Pegging)

Think of it like a card-laying, point-grabbing duel. Take turns putting down a card, calling out the running total. Go over 31, you’ve busted! Points get tossed around for hitting 15 (that’s 2 points), pairs, triplets, even a straight flush of four-of-a-kind will rake in the dough… er, points. And if you can’t play a card without going over 31, you say “Go”, your opponent gets a point, and you try again until someone hits that magic 31.

6. The Show

After the play comes “The Show.” This is where you tally up points from your hand (those four cards you kept, plus the starter). Same scoring combos apply – fifteens, pairs, runs, but now there’s a bonus. Got a Jack in your hand matching the starter’s suit? One point for “his nobs“! Flush (all four cards the same suit) gets you four, five if it matches the starter. Dealer counts their hand, then the crib (which, remember, can be a goldmine or a dustbin depending on what went down earlier).

7. How Do You Win Cribbage

First one to 121 points wins. But it’s not over ’til it’s over. If you’re lagging way behind, you might get “skunked” (double loss if you’re playing for keeps) or even “double skunked.” Ouch.

II. Cribbage Card Game Strategies

Alright, you’ve got the basics down, but want to go from Cribbage newbie to card shark? Time for some strategy.

1. Discarding to the Crib

First up: discarding to the crib. If you’re dealer, it’s like setting up your own buffet – you want those points piled high. But don’t get greedy and leave yourself with table scraps. Non-dealer? Think of it like ordering for your pickiest friend – make those discards as unappetizing as possible.

The 5 Dilemma: You’ve heard it’s risky to discard 5s to your opponent’s crib. But why?

• Example: You discard a 5. If the opponent also tossed in a 5, and ANY 10-card (10, J, Q, K) comes up as the starter, bam! They’ve got 15 for 2 points.
• When to Risk It: You might ditch a 5 if your hand is really bad otherwise, and you need to keep cards that work better together for the Play.

Balking with Kings: Kings are powerful in your hand, but not so much in the crib.

• Why: Only a Queen or Jack make a run with a King. Other cards have more scoring potential in the crib.

Example Hand: You’re the dealer, holding: 8, 8, 9, 10, K, K.

• Tempting, but… It’s tempting to keep both Kings for potential Pairs.
• Better Play: Discard K, K to the crib. The odds of an opponent making a good hand are low, and you keep a strong 8, 8, 9, 10 for yourself.

Example: The Power of 15s

Let’s see this discarding strategy in action with a hand where 15s are the name of the game.

The Deal: You’re the dealer. Your hand: 5♥, 5♠, 6♦, 7♣, J♠, K♣. Opponent’s discards: 4, 9
The Discard: You discard 5♥ and K♣ to your crib (hoping for a 10-card starter).
The Starter: 9♥
The Play:

1. You: 5♠ (“Five”)
2. Opponent: 10♦ (“Fifteen for two”) – They score 2 points.
3. You: 6♦ (“Twenty-one”)
4. Opponent: “Go”
5. You: 7♣ (“Seven”) – You score 1 point for Go.

The Show:

• Your hand: 5♠, 6♦, 7♣, J♠, 9♥ (Starter)
  • 5♠ + 9♥ = 15 (2 points)
  • 6♦ + 9♥ = 15 (2 points)
  • Total: 4 points
• Opponent’s hand: (Assume they score 2 points)
• Your Crib: 5♥, K♣, 4, 9, 9♥ (Starter)
  • 5♥ + K♣ = 15 (2 points)
  • 9 + 6 = 15 (2 points)
  • 5 + 10 = 15 (2 points)
  • Total: 6 points

Result: You score a respectable 11 points this round (4 from hand, 6 from crib, 1 for Go).

Strategic Takeaways:

1. Discarding for 15s: You aimed for 15s in your crib, and it paid off with a helpful starter card.
2. Managing the Go: Playing the 7♣ after the “Go” gave you a point and kept the opponent from making a run on the next play.

2. Leading in the Play

The 4 Play: Leading with a 4 is often a safe bet.

• Reasoning: Your opponent can’t immediately make 15, forcing them to play a card that might benefit you later.

Reading the Discards: Pay close attention to what your opponent is throwing away.

• Telltale Signs: If they’re ditching low cards early, they might be holding onto 10-value cards for big plays. Adjust your strategy accordingly.

Tempting 31: If you can play a card to reach 21, consider the risk.

• Calculated Gamble: If you have 10-value cards yourself, it might be worth leaving 21 open, hoping your opponent takes the bait and gives you 31 for 2 points.

3. Managing the Count

Managing the count is crucial in Cribbage. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Forcing a Go: If you can force your opponent to say “Go,” you’ll not only score a point but also get the first play in the next sequence, giving you control.
• Tempting with 21: While ending on 21 is usually risky, you can use it strategically. If you have cards in your hand that can handle a 10-card response, leaving 21 can bait your opponent into giving you a 31.
• Counting Cards: As the play progresses, start keeping track of which cards have been played. This will help you anticipate your opponent’s plays and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Counting cards in Cribbage isn’t about some complicated system like you see in movies – it’s about paying attention and using your noggin. You don’t need to memorize every card played, just keep an eye out for those key numbers that can make or break a hand.

For example, imagine two 5s and a Jack have hit the table early in the game. What does that tell you? Well, it means your opponent has a higher chance of holding a 10-value card (10, J, Q, or K) since those make those sweet, sweet fifteens.

This knowledge helps you make smarter plays. Let’s say the count is at 12, and you need to play a card. If you’ve been counting and know a 9 and an 8 are already out, leading with a 6 becomes a safer move. Your opponent is less likely to have another 9 to make 21 and force your hand.

As you get better at Cribbage, you can even start tracking discards. If you tossed in a couple of 6s, and the starter card is a 7, be wary! The dealer might be sitting on a pile of 8s and 9s, ready to rack up points with runs.

One sneaky tactic is using your count to force a “Go.” If you know there are still plenty of low cards left in the deck (like 2s and 3s), try to keep the running total low enough that your opponent can’t play without going over 31. This gives you control to start the next sequence and set up those scoring plays.

Don’t get overwhelmed! When you’re starting out, just focus on tracking 5s and 10-value cards, as those are the most common scoring culprits. As you play more, tracking other card values will become second nature. It’s all about building those card sense muscles!

Example: Run for the Hills (and Points)

Sometimes, the real Cribbage action happens during the play, not just the show. Check out this example where a well-timed run steals the points.

The Deal: You’re the non-dealer. Your hand: 4♥, 5♦, 6♣, 7♠, Q♥, Q♠. Opponent discards: 10, J

The Discard: You discard Q♥, Q♠ (breaking up a potential big hand).

The Starter: 3♦

The Play:

1. Opponent: 2♣ (“Two”)
2. You: 3♦ (Starter) (“Five”)
3. Opponent: 8♠ (“Thirteen”)
4. You: 4♥ (“Seventeen”)
5. Opponent: 9♦ (“Twenty-six”)
6. You: “Go”
7. Opponent: A♣ (“One”) – They score 1 point for Go.
8. You: 5♦ (“Six”)
9. Opponent: 6♣ (“Twelve for three”) – They score 3 points for the run (A, 2, 3).
10. You: 7♠ (“Nineteen for six”) – You score 6 points for the run (5, 6, 7).

The Show: (Assume both players score minimally in the show)

Result: The play is where the action was! Even though you didn’t score many points in the show, your well-timed run during the play likely put you ahead this round.

Strategic Takeaways:

1. Sacrificing Pairs: Sometimes, it’s better to break up a pair in your hand to avoid giving your opponent easy points in their crib.
2. The Long Run: Even if you don’t score for a run right away, setting yourself up for a longer run later in the play can yield big points.

III. Cribbage Variations

Think you’ve mastered the standard game? Cribbage, like any good card game worth its salt, has variations to spice things up!

1. Five-Card Cribbage

Five-card Cribbage is the OG – same basic rules, but you each only get five cards to play with (and discard two to the crib). Makes those decisions even tougher.

2. Four-Hand Cribbage

Then there’s Four-Hand Cribbage. Grab a partner – you two versus them – and suddenly it’s a whole different ballgame. Five cards each, one discarded to the crib, and the points get combined. Makes you really appreciate a good teammate who can predict your plays (or at least not mess up your carefully crafted strategy).

3. Three-Hand Cribbage

Three players? No problem! Five cards each, one into the crib, and then a single card is dealt face down to complete the crib, belonging to the dealer. Everyone’s fending for themselves, making those crib discards even more crucial.

Want more card game fun? Check out our curated lists for couples, 2 players, 3 players, 4 players, 5 players, and 6+ player card games!