So you wanna learn cribbage? Smart move. This 17th-century card game still rocks pubs and living rooms for good reason. It's got math, strategy, and wooden boards with pegs. What's not to love? After 15 years of playing weekly with my grandpa (and losing spectacularly at first), I'll walk you through everything. No fluff, just what works.
Gear Up: What You Need to Play
Cribbage's beauty? Minimal equipment. Here's the starter pack:
- Standard 52-card deck (jokers can take a hike)
- Cribbage board with 121 holes per player track. No board? Pen and paper works in a pinch
- Two pegs per player (matchsticks work in emergencies)
The board's not just decoration - it's your scorekeeper. Moving two pegs alternately prevents "accidental" point bumps. Clever, huh?
Player Count Flexibility
| Players | Cards Dealt | Game Length |
|---|---|---|
| 2 players | 6 cards each | 15-20 minutes |
| 3 players | 5 cards each | 25-35 minutes |
| 4 players (teams) | 5 cards each | 30-40 minutes |
Two-player's the purest form, but team play gets wild. I once saw a 2v2 game end in a shouting match over a disputed flush. Good times.
Setting Up Your First Game
Cut the deck - lowest card deals first (ace is low). Dealer shuffles, non-dealer cuts. Now deal:
- 2 players: 6 cards each
- 3-4 players: 5 cards each
The Crib - Your Secret Weapon
After dealing, each player discards 2 cards face-down to the dealer's extra hand - the "crib." This is huge. The crib scores for the dealer later, so:
- As dealer: Feed it good cards
- As non-dealer: Dump junk (but be sneaky!)
I still regret tossing 5-5 to my uncle's crib last Thanksgiving. He scored 28 points. Never again.
Game Flow: From Deal to Victory
Points happen in two phases: Play (pegging) and Show (counting). Winner's first to 121 points.
Kickoff: The Starter Card
After discards, non-dealer cuts the deck. Dealer flips the top card - this is the starter (or "cut card"). If it's a jack? Dealer pegs 2 points instantly ("His Heels"). Happened twice in my first tournament. Beginners' luck?
Pegging Phase: Where the Magic Happens
Non-dealer lays first card face-up, announcing its value (king=10, queen=10, etc.). Players alternate, keeping running total. Goal: Hit 31 exactly or force opponents to play.
Pegging scoring opportunities:
| Play | Points | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Reaching 31 | 2 points | Playing last card to 31 |
| Hitting 15 | 2 points | Playing a 5 to make 15 |
| Pairs | 2-12 points | Two 7s = 2 pts, three 7s = 6 pts |
| Runs | 3+ points | Playing 4-5-6 = 3 pts |
Critical detail: Runs count regardless of order! If plays go 7, then 6, then 8? That's a 6-7-8 run. Player of the 8 scores 3.
Hand Counting: The Big Reveal
After all cards play, players count hands:
- Non-dealer counts first (keep it honest!)
- Dealer counts hand
- Dealer counts crib
Starter card counts as part of every hand. Scoring combos:
| Combo | Points | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fifteen | 2 | 7+8, K+5 |
| Pair | 2 | Two 9s |
| Three of a kind | 6 | Three Js (counts as 3 pairs) |
| Four of a kind | 12 | Four 3s |
| Run (3+ cards) | 1 per card | 4-5-6 = 3 pts |
| Flush (hand) | 4 | Four hearts in hand (+1 if starter matches) |
| Flush (crib) | 5 | All five cards same suit |
| Nob | 1 | Jack in hand matching starter suit |
Golden rule: Every card combo counts separately. Holding 5-5-6-7? That's two fifteens (5+5+5? Nope, needs three separate 5s), two pairs, and a run. Score carefully!
Winning Strategies That Actually Work
After thousands of hands, here's what separates winners from perpetual second-place finishers:
Discard Strategy: Crib Warfare
- When you deal: Toss scoring combos to your crib (pairs, 5s, consecutive cards)
- When opponent deals: Break up combos! Discard non-matching high/low cards
- Never discard: 5s (they're in 40% of fifteens!)
Pegging Tactics: Control the Count
- Lead with 4s (safe from 15s)
- Avoid leading 5s (sets up 10/J/Q/K for 15)
- At 21+ total, play low cards to force opponents over 31
My grandpa's immortal words: "If you don't know what to lead, throw a 4." Works 80% of the time.
Hand Selection Priorities
| Hand Type | Avg. Points | When to Keep |
|---|---|---|
| Double runs (e.g. 6-7-7-8) | 16+ | Always |
| 5 + face cards | 8-12 | Often |
| Three of a kind | 6-12 | Usually |
| Low cards (under 5) | 2-6 | Rarely |
Brutal Truth: Common Beginner Blunders
- Miscounting runs: 6-8-7 IS a run. Order doesn't matter!
- Forgetting nobs: That jack of hearts when starter's a heart? That's 1 point!
- Overlooking flushes: Four same suit in hand = 4 points
- Pegging errors: Missing pairs during play
My most cringe moment? Scoring zero with three 5s. Forgot they combine with tens. Never lived it down.
Rule Variations You Might Encounter
Regional rules exist. Ask before playing:
- Muggins: Steal points opponents miss (cruel but effective)
- Lowball scoring: Play to 61 points
- Three-player alternate: Each gets 5 cards, discard 1 to crib
Chicago players swear by "street rules." Bostonians play cutthroat. When in doubt, clarify.
Why This 400-Year-Old Game Still Slaps
Cribbage's survived this long because:
- Perfect balance of luck/skill
- Games move fast (unlike Monopoly)
- Portable setup
- Satisfying peg-clicking sounds
That moment when you see a 24-point hand? Chef's kiss. Better than slot machines.
FAQs: Real Questions from New Players
Q: Can I play with more than 4 people?
A: Technically yes with multiple boards, but it gets chaotic. Stick to 2-4 for best experience.
Q: Do runs need to be same suit?
A: Nope! Runs ignore suits completely. 7♠, 8♥, 9♦ still counts.
Q: What if I can't play without going over 31?
A: Say "Go." Opponent keeps playing if possible. Last card player scores 1 point.
Q: Is cribbage playable online?
A: Absolutely. Sites like Cribbage Pro offer solid AI opponents. But face-to-face is better for trash-talk.
Q: Why is the board shaped weird?
A: Traditional tracks form a rectangle for compactness. Fancier boards have cool designs like ships or animals.
Getting Better: No-BS Advice
Want to crush your next game night?
- Drill scoring combos until they're automatic
- Play online daily for 10 minutes (apps help)
- Watch tournament players on YouTube
- Buy a decent board - pegs matter
My first year? I kept a cribbage cheat sheet in my wallet. Now I dream in point combinations. Progress.
The Ugly Truth About Cribbage
Not gonna sugarcoat it:
- Learning curve is steep
- Counting takes practice
- Bad hands feel brutal
- Some players take it too seriously
But push through. That first time you count a 24-point hand? Worth every misplayed card.
At its heart, cribbage is conversation with math. It's laughing when your opponent pegs 15 points off your lead. It's grandparents teaching grandkids. It's wooden boards worn smooth by thumbs. When you understand card games cribbage how to play properly, you join a centuries-old club. Now deal the cards already - your pegs are waiting.
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