Cribbage

Cribbage

How to play:

• The ways to score points include three phases: pegging play, counting your hand, and counting the crib (dealer only). You count your pegged points as you play, then your hand and crib after each hand.

• You score points by making these combinations with your opponent’s play during pegging and by counting these combinations in your hand and crib (dealer only) at the end of play:

  • Card combinations that add up to 15 give you two points.

  • Runs are worth the number of cards per run.

  • A pair is worth two points.

  • A three-of-a-kind is worth six points.

  • A four-of-a-kind is worth 12 points.

• Pegging play begins the game.

  • Each player plays a card to the middle and will announce their running total of the cards added up.

    • For example, if you play a number card, such as an eight of hearts, you announce “eight.” If your opponent plays a seven of clubs, your opponent would say “15,” which would then allow your opponent to peg two points. If you then play a two of spades, you would announce, “17,” and so on.

  • Pegging play continues until 31 is reached. If a player can’t play a card into the middle without the running total exceeding 31, then they must say “go” and give their opponent a chance to play.

    • Whoever plays the last card gets one point.

    • Ending exactly on 31 gives you two points (the “go” point plus the point for the last card).

  • The running total resets back to zero once you reach 31, and you continue pegging play until all cards have been played.

• Count your hand when all cards have been played.

  • Both players can use the flipped-up card to create their own card combinations and move their pegs to add those points.

  • If you have a jack that is the same suit as the flipped-up card, that is worth one point.

• Crib counting: The dealer uses the starter card and the crib to make combinations and peg points.

• Play continues through these phases until someone reaches 121 points.