Cribbage
Cribbage Rules: How to Play Cribbage
Objective
Cribbage is played to score points by forming certain card combinations and strategically playing cards during the game phases.
The first player to reach or exceed 121 points wins the game.
Setup
- Use a standard 52-card deck and a cribbage board for scoring.
- To pick the dealer, each player draws a card; the player with the lower card becomes the dealer. Redraw if there’s a tie.
- Shuffle and deal 6 cards to each player.
- Each player chooses 2 cards to place face-down into the crib. The crib belongs to the dealer and is counted later for extra points.
- Draw and reveal the top card of the deck; this is the starter card.
- If it’s a Jack, the dealer scores 2 points (“his heels”).
Gameplay Phases
Cribbage has two main phases:
- Play Phase
- Counting the Hands Phase
Play Phase
The non-dealer starts by playing a card and announcing its value:
- Ace = 1
- Number cards = face value
- J/Q/K = 10
Players alternate playing cards, adding to a running total without going over 31.
- If a player can’t play without exceeding 31, they say “Go.” The opponent scores 1 point.
- If a player plays a card to reach exactly 31, they score 2 points.
- After reaching 31 or when no more cards can be played, reset the count to 0, and continue with remaining cards.
Scoring during Play Phase:
| Combination | Points |
|---|---|
| Making the running total exactly 15 | 2 |
| Pair (two cards of same rank) | 2 |
| Triple (three cards of same rank) | 6 |
| Four-of-a-kind (four cards of same rank) | 12 |
| Run of 3 or more consecutive ranks | 1 per card |
Runs don’t need to be in the original order - e.g., playing 3, then 5, then 4 still makes a run of 3.
Counting the Hands
After the Play Phase, players score their hands and the crib:
- Each player counts 4 cards from their hand + the starter card.
- The dealer also counts the crib (4 crib cards + starter card).
Scoring during Counting Phase:
| Combination | Points |
|---|---|
| Each unique combination summing to 15 | 2 per combination |
| Pair | 2 |
| Triple | 6 |
| Four-of-a-kind | 12 |
| Runs of 3+ cards | 1 per card |
| Flush (4 hand cards same suit) | 4 |
| Flush (4 hand cards + starter card same suit) | 5 |
| "His nobs" (Jack in hand same suit as starter) | 1 |
The non-dealer counts first; if they pass 121 before the dealer counts, they win immediately.
Crib Scoring
The dealer then scores the crib as if it’s a hand, using the same rules.
Note: Flush in crib only scores if all 4 crib cards + starter card are the same suit (must be a 5-card flush).
Scoring on the Board
- Players use two pegs each to track points.
- Always move the back peg ahead of the front peg by the number of points scored.
- This shows both your current score and your previous score.
Learn More about Cribbage
If you'd like to read detailed rules online, check out:
- Beginner's Guide to Cribbage
- Six Card Cribbage
- The Rules of Cribbage
- Learn to Play Cribbage
- How to Play Cribbage for Beginners
Or, if you prefer to learn by watching:
Check out this YouTube playlist covering cribbage rules and strategy.
Cribbage Tips and Strategies
Whether you’re new to the cribbage card game or a seasoned player looking to improve, mastering key strategies can elevate your play. Our expert tips will help you sharpen your skills and enjoy the game even more.
1. Think About the Starter Card
Before pegging begins, check the starter (cut) card carefully.
Ask yourself:
- Does it help me make fifteens?
- Can it complete a run or pair?
- Could it improve my crib if I’m dealer?
Even a single extra point can change the game!
2. Build Combinations in Your Hand
While counting fifteens is a big part of cribbage, don’t forget:
- Pairs, trips, and quads score well.
- Runs of three or more can add lots of points.
- Flushes might be easy to overlook but can be valuable.
Try to keep flexible cards (like fives, fours, and sixes) that combine easily.
3. Pay Attention to Your Opponent
Watch which cards your opponent plays and discards:
- Avoid throwing cards they might use to make fifteens.
- Notice if they hold onto high or low cards.
- Try to guess what’s left in their hand to avoid helping them peg.
4. Track the Score Constantly
Don’t just look at the board at the end of the hand.
- Keep checking during pegging.
- Know when you’re close to a go-out (winning at 121).
- Change your play if you’re behind or ahead (e.g., take more risks if you’re behind).
5. Practice, Experiment, Learn
The fastest way to improve:
- Play lots of online cribbage games on this platform.
- Try different strategies: defensive discards vs. offensive pegging.
- Review your hands afterward and ask: “Could I have kept a better hand?”
About Cribbage
Cribbage is a classic cribbage card game with centuries of history, combining luck and strategy. It’s played by millions worldwide and is known for its unique scoring system using a cribbage board.
On CardGamesHub.io, you can play cribbage online for free, either with friends in multiplayer mode or alone to practice your skills. No downloads are needed, so you can jump right in and enjoy this timeless game.
History of Cribbage
Cribbage is a classic card game with roots going back nearly four centuries. Most historians agree it was created in the early 1600s by the English poet and gambler Sir John Suckling. He was inspired by an older game called Noddy, where the jack of the turned-up suit was nicknamed the “noddy.” Suckling introduced a new idea called the crib, which is a separate hand made from each player’s discarded cards. This small change gave the game its unique strategic depth and gave it the name Cribbage.
Though Suckling’s card skills were legendary, his reputation was even more colorful: according to legend, he distributed marked decks to England’s upper class, then traveled around challenging them to games of cribbage, and winning considerable sums.
As the centuries passed, cribbage’s popularity spread far beyond English parlors. By the 19th century, it featured in Charles Dickens’ novel The Old Curiosity Shop, cementing its place in British culture. Sailors and fishermen enjoyed cribbage because it was simple to play. All they needed was a deck of cards, a cribbage board (often hand-carved), and two players. As the British Empire expanded, these sailors and fishermen carried the game around the world.
In the United States, cribbage has been played since colonial times. It became especially famous during World War II. In 1943, aboard the submarine USS Wahoo, Commander Dudley Morton dealt Executive Officer Richard “Dick” O’Kane the rare “Perfect 29” hand. This is the highest possible hand in cribbage, made up of four fives and a starter card that is a jack matching the suit of one of those fives. The odds of getting it are about 216,000 to 1. The crew saw it as a sign of good luck. The mission was a success, and the hand became a legendary story among submariners.
Today, the cribbage game remains a timeless mix of luck, memory, and strategy. Its distinctive board is still seen in homes and pubs, while many now play cribbage online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about the cribbage game? Playing online or in person, or just curious about this popular cribbage card game, these answers will help.