Cribbage Rules
Cribbage is a classic [American card game](/) that has been enjoyed for generations. Players who appreciate traditional gameplay often explore related games like [Pinochle](/pinochle) and [Euchre](/euchre). For tournament rules and official resources, the [American Cribbage Congress](https://www.cribbage.org/) is the definitive authority.
- Category: American Classics
- Players: 2, 3, 4
- Player notes: Best with 2 players
Objective
Be the first player to climb all the way to 121 points by shaping clever card combinations both during the play and when counting your hand. Cribbage moves fast and feels almost like a friendly duel every time you push the count to fifteen or squeeze a sneaky run. You’re always balancing instinct, memory, and just a touch of nerve.
Material
- One standard 52-card deck
- Cribbage board for scoring (or paper and pencil)
- Cards rank: K (high), Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, A (low)
Card Point Values
K♠ Q♥ J♦ 10♣
All face cards = 10 points each
5♣ 7♦ A♥
Number cards = face value, Ace = 1 point
Setup
Be the first player to climb all the way to 121 points by shaping clever card combinations both during the play and when counting your hand. Cribbage moves fast and feels almost like a friendly duel every time you push the count to fifteen or squeeze a sneaky run. You’re always balancing instinct, memory, and just a touch of nerve.
Example: Choosing Crib Cards
Your hand:
5♥ 5♦ J♣ Q♠ K♥ A♦
Discard the J♣ and Q♠ to the crib (they don't combo well). Keep:
5♥ 5♦ K♥ A♦
How to Play
The Play (Pegging)
Players alternate playing cards face-up, announcing the running count. The count cannot exceed 31.
Scoring during the play:
| Action | Points | Description | |--------|--------|-------------| | Fifteen | 2 | Running count reaches exactly 15 | | Pair | 2 | Playing a card matching previous card | | Triple | 6 | Third card of same rank in a row | | Quad | 12 | Fourth card of same rank in a row | | Run of 3+ | 3+ | Three or more consecutive ranks (points = length) | | 31 | 2 | Count reaches exactly 31 | | Go | 1 | Opponent cannot play without exceeding 31 | | Last card | 1 | Playing the final card of the hand |
Play Example
You play: 5♥ (count: 5) Opponent plays: 10♦ (count: 15) - Opponent scores 2 points for fifteen! You play: 5♦ (count: 20) Opponent plays: K♠ (count: 30) You play: A♥ (count: 31) - You score 2 points for thirty-one!
Run Example
You play: 4♣ (count: 4) Opponent plays: 6♦ (count: 10) You play: 5♥ (count: 15)
You score 5 points! (2 for fifteen + 3 for run of 4-5-6)
Pair Example
8♠ 8♥
Opponent plays: 8♠ (count: 8) You play: 8♥ (count: 16) - You score 2 points for a pair!
Triple Example
Q♣ Q♦ Q♥
Three Queens in a row = 6 points for triple!
Scoring Hands
Be the first player to climb all the way to 121 points by shaping clever card combinations both during the play and when counting your hand. Cribbage moves fast and feels almost like a friendly duel every time you push the count to fifteen or squeeze a sneaky run. You’re always balancing instinct, memory, and just a touch of nerve.
Hand Scoring Combinations
| Combination | Points | Description | |-------------|--------|-------------| | Fifteen | 2 | Any combo totaling 15 | | Pair | 2 | Two cards of same rank | | Triple | 6 | Three cards of same rank | | Quad | 12 | Four cards of same rank | | Run of 3 | 3 | Three consecutive ranks | | Run of 4 | 4 | Four consecutive ranks | | Run of 5 | 5 | Five consecutive ranks | | Flush | 4-5 | All cards same suit | | Nobs | 1 | Jack of same suit as starter |
Scoring Example 1: The "29 Hand"
Your hand:
5♥ 5♦ 5♠ J♣
Starter:
5♣
This is the highest possible hand in Cribbage (29 points):
- Four ways to make 15 with J-5: 8 points (J♣-5♥, J♣-5♦, J♣-5♠, J♣-5♣)
- Six ways to make 15 with 5-5-5: 12 points
- Four of a kind (5s): 12 points (but wait, we need to count this differently!)
Actually: Four 5s = 12 pts + Sixteen fifteens (each combo of two 5s + J) = 16 pts + Nobs = 1 pt = 29 pts!
Scoring Example 2: Good Hand
Your hand:
7♥ 8♥ 9♥ 9♠
Starter:
6♦
Fifteens: 7-8 = 15 (2 pts), 6-9 = 15 (2 pts), 6-9 = 15 (2 pts) = 6 points Runs: 6-7-8-9 twice (two 9s) = 4+4 = 8 points Pair: Two 9s = 2 points Total: 16 points!
Scoring Example 3: The Crib
Crib cards:
5♣ 5♦ 10♥ K♠
Starter:
5♥
Fifteens: 5-10, 5-10, 5-10, 5-5-5 = 8 points Triple: Three 5s = 6 points Total: 14 points for the dealer's crib!
Strategy Tips
What to Keep in Your Hand
6♥ 7♥ 8♥
Perfect! Consecutive cards in same suit. Great for runs and potential flush.
5♠ 5♥ J♦ Q♣
Keep the pair of 5s! They make fifteens with face cards.
What to Discard to Crib
If it's YOUR crib - Give it good cards that might combine:
5♣ 10♦
These make fifteen!
If it's OPPONENT's crib - Give it terrible cards that won't combine:
K♠ A♦
These can't make fifteen or runs easily.
Play Strategy
- Lead from pairs - If opponent makes 15, you can pair for 2 points
- Avoid leading a 5 - Opponent will make 15 with any face card
- Save middle cards (6-9) for runs during play
- Count to 121! - Always know how close you are to winning
Ending the Game
Be the first player to climb all the way to 121 points by shaping clever card combinations both during the play and when counting your hand. Cribbage moves fast and feels almost like a friendly duel every time you push the count to fifteen or squeeze a sneaky run. You’re always balancing instinct, memory, and just a touch of nerve.
Variants
Three-Player Cribbage
Each player deals 5 cards, discards 1 to crib. Dealer gets one extra card for the crib.
Four-Player Cribbage (Partners)
Deal 5 cards each, discard 1 to crib. Partners sit opposite and combine scores.
Five-Card Cribbage
Deal 5 cards, discard 2 to crib. Game to 61 points instead of 121.
Frequently asked questions
What does '15 for 2' mean in cribbage?
When cards in your hand or during play add up to exactly 15, you score 2 points. For example, a 10 and a 5, or a 7 and an 8.
How does the crib work?
Each player discards 2 cards face-down to form the crib. After play, the crib is scored by the dealer as an extra hand, which can give them a significant scoring advantage.
What is the starter card?
After discarding to the crib, the non-dealer cuts the deck and the dealer reveals the top card. This 'starter' or 'cut' card is used in scoring all hands, including the crib.
What happens if a Jack is turned as the starter?
If the starter card is a Jack, the dealer immediately scores 2 points 'for his heels' before play begins.
How do you score a flush?
A flush requires all 4 cards in your hand to be the same suit (worth 4 points). If the starter card is also the same suit, you score 5 points. The crib can only score a flush if all 5 cards (including starter) are the same suit.
What is nibs and nobs?
'Nibs' is when the Jack is turned as the starter (dealer scores 2). 'Nobs' is when you have the Jack of the same suit as the starter in your hand (score 1 point when counting your hand).
Can the count go over 31?
No, once the count reaches 31 or no one can play without exceeding 31, the count resets to zero and play continues with the remaining cards.
What is muggins?
Muggins is an optional rule where if a player fails to claim points they've earned, their opponent can say 'muggins' and claim those points for themselves.
How many points win the game?
A standard game of cribbage is played to 121 points, typically tracked on a cribbage board. Some play shorter games to 61 points.
Do pairs score during play?
Yes, if you play a card of the same rank as the previous card, you score 2 points for a pair. Three of a kind scores 6 points, and four of a kind scores 12 points.