🎯 Cribbage Card Game

Count to 121 with 15s, pairs, runs, and the crib!

Dealer: You

Count: 0

You: 0

AI: 0

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How to Play Cribbage

🎯 Game Objective

Cribbage is a classic 2-player card game where the goal is to be the first to score 121 points on the pegging board. Points are earned through card combinations during the "play" phase and by counting hands. The game combines strategy, counting skills, and a bit of luck!

📋 Basic Rules

Setup

Deck: Standard 52-card deck
Deal: 6 cards to each player
The Crib: Each player discards 2 cards face-down to create the "crib" (a 4-card bonus hand for the dealer)
Starter Card: Top card of deck is cut and turned face-up (if it's a Jack, dealer pegs 2 points for "his heels")

The Play (Pegging Phase)

Alternating Plays: Non-dealer plays first, then players alternate playing one card face-up
Running Count: Each card played adds to a running count (face cards = 10, Aces = 1, all others = face value)
Cannot Go Over 31: If you can't play without exceeding 31, say "Go" and your opponent plays remaining cards
Pegging Points: Score points immediately for:
- 15: Count totals exactly 15 = 2 points
- 31: Count totals exactly 31 = 2 points
- Pair: Play a card matching the last card = 2 points
- Triplet: Three of a kind in a row = 6 points
- Quad: Four of a kind in a row = 12 points
- Run: 3+ cards in sequence (any order) = 1 point per card
- Go/Last Card: 1 point for playing the last card before 31 or when opponent can't play

The Show (Counting Hands)

After all cards are played, count points in hands:

Non-dealer counts first (important for close games!)
Count your 4-card hand + starter card (5 cards total)
Look for all combinations of:
- 15s: Any cards totaling 15 = 2 points each
- Pairs: Two matching ranks = 2 points each pair
- Runs: 3+ consecutive ranks = 1 point per card
- Flush: 4 cards same suit in hand = 4 points (5 with starter = 5 points)
- Nobs: Jack of same suit as starter = 1 point
Dealer counts crib last (same rules, but flush requires all 5 cards same suit)

🎯 Scoring Examples

Example Hand 1: "15-2, 15-4, and a pair for 6"

Hand: 5♥ 5♠ 10♣ K♦ + Starter: 10♠

5♥ + 10♣ = 15 (2 points)
5♠ + 10♣ = 15 (2 points)
5♥ + 10♠ = 15 (2 points)
5♠ + 10♠ = 15 (2 points)
5♥ + 5♠ = Pair (2 points)
10♣ + 10♠ = Pair (2 points)
Total: 12 points

Example Hand 2: "Double run for 8"

Hand: 6♥ 7♠ 7♣ 8♦ + Starter: 9♥

6-7♠-8-9 = Run of 4 (4 points)
6-7♣-8-9 = Run of 4 (4 points)
7♠ + 7♣ = Pair (2 points)
6 + 9 = 15 (2 points)
7 + 8 = 15 (2 points)
Total: 14 points

The Perfect 29 Hand

Hand: 5♥ 5♠ 5♣ J♦ + Starter: 5♦ (assuming J matches starter suit)

Four 5s = 6 pairs × 2 = 12 points
Every combo of 5+10 = 16 fifteens × 2 = 32 points... Wait, that's wrong!
Correct: Four 5s = 6 pairs (12 pts) + Every pair of 5s + J = 8 fifteens (16 pts) + Nobs (1 pt) = 29 points

🏆 Winning Strategies

1. Discarding to the Crib

When you're the dealer:

Discard cards that work well together (5s, pairs, consecutive cards)
5s are gold - they make 15s with face cards
Avoid discarding A-2-3 (easy runs for you to miss)

When opponent is dealer:

Discard cards that DON'T work together (e.g., K-2 or A-9)
Avoid 5s and face cards (they make easy 15s)
Avoid consecutive ranks (they make runs)

2. The Play (Pegging)

Lead with 4: Safe opening - opponent can't make 15
Avoid leading 5: Opponent will pair it or make 15
Save pairs for defense: If opponent leads a card, pairing it scores 2 points and makes them think twice about triplets
Counting to 15: If count is 5, play a 10-card; if count is 10, play a 5
The "31-2" trap: If count is 21, playing a 10-card scores 2 points for you

3. Counting Hands

Count systematically: 15s, then pairs, then runs, then flush, then nobs
Double-check 15s: Most missed points come from overlooking a 15
Runs multiply: A pair in a run creates two runs (e.g., 4-4-5-6 = two runs of 3)
Don't forget nobs: Jack of starter suit = 1 point

4. Positional Play

When behind:

Take risks during pegging to catch up
Keep high-scoring potential cards in hand
Don't worry as much about giving opponent the crib

When ahead:

Play conservatively - protect your lead
Minimize opponent's pegging opportunities
Discard defensively to their crib

🧮 Cribbage Math & Probabilities

Average Hand Scores

Your Hand: Average 8 points (with starter)
The Crib: Average 4-5 points
Pegging: Average 2-4 points per hand
Per Deal (as dealer): ~16 points total (hand + crib + pegging)
Per Deal (non-dealer): ~10 points total

Starter Card Impact

5 as starter: Best card - averages +3 points to any hand
Jack as starter: Dealer gets 2 for "his heels"
Face card starter: Average card - helps with 15s
Ace starter: Weakest - only helps with A-2-3 runs

Rare Hands Probability

29-point hand: 1 in 216,580 (rarest perfect hand)
28-point hand: Impossible! (no valid combination)
24-point hand: 1 in ~2,000 (four 5s with any 10-card)
0-point hand: ~5% of hands (surprisingly common!)

📚 History & Variations

Origins of Cribbage

Cribbage was invented by English poet Sir John Suckling in the 1600s. It evolved from an earlier game called "Noddy." The distinctive pegging board was designed to keep accurate score - crucial in an era before pencil and paper were common. The game became especially popular in British pubs and has remained a staple ever since.

The Pegging Board

The traditional cribbage board has 121 holes arranged in groups of 5, with a "game hole" at the end. Players use two pegs each - moving the back peg forward by the number of points scored, which also marks the previous score. This prevents disputes about who scored what!

Common Variations

5-Card Cribbage: Deal 5 cards, discard 2 to crib, first to 61 points wins
7-Card Cribbage: Deal 7 cards, discard 2 to crib, first to 181 points wins
3-Player Cribbage: Each player gets 5 cards, discards 1 to crib, dealer gets extra card
4-Player Cribbage: Partners sit opposite, deal 5 cards each, 2 to crib
Muggins: If opponent miscounts their hand, you can claim their missed points

💡 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Miscounting 15s: Most common error - practice finding all combinations
Forgetting to multiply runs: A double run (with a pair) counts as TWO runs
Missing nobs: That Jack matching the starter suit is worth 1 point!
Poor crib discards: Giving 5s to opponent's crib is usually bad
Playing too fast during pegging: Take time to count all possible scores
Ignoring position: Non-dealer counts first - crucial in close games
Not tracking opponent's cards: Knowing what they might have left helps planning

🎓 Tips for Beginners

Learn "15-2" first: Master finding 15s - they're the foundation of scoring
Practice with "count-out-loud": Say your scoring as you count (e.g., "15-2, 15-4, pair for 6")
Memorize key discards: A-A, 5-K, 7-8 are good for your crib; K-A, 5-Q are bad for opponent's crib
Lead with 4 or A: Safest opening plays as non-dealer
Count the deck: 13 ranks × 4 suits = 52 cards. Track what's been played.
Position is power: First to count can win by reaching 121 before opponent counts their better hand
Play online/apps: Computer opponents are great for learning without pressure

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do you score 15-2 in Cribbage?

A: "15-2" means you've found a combination of cards that add up to exactly 15, earning you 2 points. For example: 5+10=15 (2 points), or 7+8=15 (2 points), or 5+5+5=15 (2 points). Each DIFFERENT combination that makes 15 scores separately. So if you have 5♠ 5♥ 10♣ 10♦, you get four 15s: 5♠+10♣ (2), 5♠+10♦ (2), 5♥+10♣ (2), 5♥+10♦ (2) = 8 points total from 15s, plus the two pairs = 12 points. Face cards (J, Q, K) all count as 10, Aces count as 1.

💬 What Players Are Saying

Cribbage has become a favorite among our community. Here's what players love about this game:

"The AI in Cribbage is impressively challenging. I've been playing for weeks and still discovering new strategies."

— StrategyExpert

"Cribbage rewards careful planning and thinking ahead. It's the perfect game for players who enjoy mental challenges."

— ThinkingGamer

"I appreciate how Cribbage teaches strategic thinking without feeling like work. Educational and entertaining!"

— TeacherDad

🎯 Pro Tips from Expert Players

Start with fundamentals: Master the basic mechanics before attempting advanced strategies
Practice consistency: Regular short sessions build skills faster than occasional long marathons
Learn from mistakes: Every loss is an opportunity to identify and fix weak points in your strategy
Set incremental goals: Aim for small improvements rather than immediate perfection
Take breaks: Step away when frustrated - a fresh perspective often leads to breakthroughs

Q: What is the crib in Cribbage and how does it work?

A: The crib is a bonus 4-card hand that belongs to the dealer. At the start of each hand, both players discard 2 cards face-down to create the crib. After the play (pegging) phase, the dealer counts the crib as a second hand, using the same rules as counting their main hand (15s, pairs, runs, etc.). Important differences: 1) The crib is counted LAST (after both players count their hands), 2) A flush in the crib requires all 5 cards (including starter) to be the same suit, 3) When you're the dealer, discard cards that work well together (5s, pairs, sequential cards). When opponent is dealer, discard cards that don't work (like K-A or 10-2).

Q: Can you go over 31 in Cribbage?

A: No! During the play (pegging) phase, the running count can NEVER exceed 31. If you cannot play a card without going over 31, you must say "Go" and your opponent continues playing cards (if able) until they also can't play or hit exactly 31. The last person to play before the count resets gets 1 point for "Go" (or 2 points if they hit exactly 31). After a Go, the count resets to 0 and play continues with any remaining cards. This cycle repeats until all cards are played. Example: Count is at 28, and you only have a 5 and a 9 left. You can't play either without exceeding 31, so you say "Go" and opponent plays their remaining cards (if possible).

Q: How do you score a run in Cribbage?

A: A run is 3 or more cards in sequential rank (suits don't matter), scoring 1 point per card. For example: 4-5-6 = 3 points, 9-10-J-Q = 4 points. Important rules: 1) During pegging, cards must be played in ANY order but still form a sequence (e.g., 7-5-6 is a valid run for 3 points), 2) When counting hands, runs can be in any order in your hand, 3) If you have a pair within a run, it creates MULTIPLE runs. Example: 4-4-5-6 creates TWO runs (4-5-6 and 4-5-6) = 6 points for runs, plus 2 points for the pair = 8 points total. A double-double run (4-4-5-5-6) creates FOUR runs of 3 = 12 points, plus 4 points for two pairs = 16 points! Runs multiply quickly with pairs.

Q: What is a 29 hand and how rare is it?

A: A 29-point hand is the highest possible score in Cribbage and extremely rare - only 1 in 216,580 hands! It requires: Hand = 5♣ 5♦ 5♥ J♠ + Starter = 5♠ (and the Jack must match the starter's suit for "nobs"). Scoring: 1) Four 5s create 6 pairs (C(4,2) combinations) = 12 points, 2) Every combination of two 5s + the Jack makes 15 (there are 8 such combinations: 5♣5♦J, 5♣5♥J, 5♣5♠J, 5♦5♥J, 5♦5♠J, 5♥5♠J, plus J must count twice somehow... Actually: all possible 3-card combos with J) = 16 points, 3) Nobs (J matches starter suit) = 1 point. Total: 12+16+1 = 29. Interestingly, a 28-point hand is IMPOSSIBLE due to the math of card combinations!

Q: Do you have to play a card if you can in Cribbage?

A: Yes! If you have any card that can be played without exceeding a count of 31, you MUST play it. You cannot voluntarily say "Go" if you have a legal play. This rule prevents players from saving cards strategically during the play phase. However, you DO have a choice of WHICH legal card to play if you have multiple options. Strategy tip: Even if you have multiple legal plays, choose carefully - playing a 5 when the count is 10 gives your opponent an easy 15-2. Exception: In some house rules variants (not standard), if you're about to "peg out" (reach 121 points), you can choose not to peg points and instead count your hand to win. But during normal play, you must always play if able.