Cribbage
Objective:
Cribbage games require that you make certain card combinations, to be the first to reach 121 for the traditional or 61 points for the shortened game.
Cribbage boards are use to keep track of the score.
The Cards:
A standard deck of 52 cards. Each card has a point value equal to its rank. Aces are worth 1 point and are low. Face cards count 10.
Cribbage Scoring Sequences:
| Any combination of cards totaling exactly 15 |
2 points |
| Pair: two cards of the same rank |
2 points |
|
Triplet: three cards of the same rank |
6 points |
| Quartet: four cards of the same rank |
12 points |
Sequence: three or more cards in a row, any suit
(aces are always low) |
1 point per card |
| Flush: four cards of the same suit |
4 points |
| His Nobs: jack of the same suit |
1 point |
Instructions on How to Play:
In
Cribbage six cards are dealt to each player. Each player picks two cards to discard. Cards are placed face down to make a four card "crib" which goes to the dealer. Opponent of dealer splits the deck and dealer turns over the top card to indicate the start card. One rule is that if the start card is a Jack, dealer pegs two points.
Opponent of dealer may now play one card from their hand face up, say the value. Dealer does the same, saying the total of the two cards played. The two players rotate without passing 31. If you can’t play without passing 31, say "Go", your opponent may play cards until he gets 31 or until he can’t play. Your opponent pegs 1 for your "go" if they play under 31. A player who gets 31 exactly pegs 2 points. One point is pegged by the person who has the last card in Cribbage.
Pegging Melds Made In Play:
In addition to scoring 31 points for "go", the last card, and each meld made while playing scores points. If you get the count of 15, you score 2 for the pair. Three cards from the same rank are worth 6 points: and the fourth card scores 12. In Cribbage sequences count it doesn’t matter if the cards are in order. Example: 3-6-4-5 scores 4 points for the last player, if the next player follows with a deuce they get 5 points. You can’t score a flush in play; it is scored only when the hand is scored. Cards have to be played consecutively within one 31-count to score.
Cribbage Scoring Hands:
After the game is over, every player’s hand is counted in order. Opponent of dealer hands pegs first, then the dealer’s crib. The start card is scored as a fifth card in every hand.
Pegging Out Rules:
As soon as one player pegs to 121 for the long
Cribbage and 61 for the short game, the game is over. If you beat your opponent by more than 60 points this is a skunk or lurch and you score a double game (in a 121-point game) and become the ultimate scorer.
Cribbage Tips
Cribbage VariationsCribbage HistoryPlay Cribbage
Spades
2 10 Jack