How to Play Cribbage

Cribbage is a classic card game for two players that combines skillful discarding, tactical pegging, and hand-counting strategy. Played with a standard 52-card deck and a distinctive pegboard for scoring, the goal is to be the first player to reach 121 points. Cribbage stands apart from other card games because scoring happens in two distinct phases — during the play (pegging) and after the play (the show) — giving players multiple opportunities to earn points each round.

Setup and Dealing

Cribbage is typically played between two players with a standard 52-card deck. Each player cuts the deck and the lower card deals first. Deal 6 cards each.

Card values: Aces are 1, face cards are 10, others are face value.

Creating the Crib

After the deal, each player selects 2 cards to discard face-down to the crib. The crib belongs to the dealer and is scored as a separate hand at the end of the round.

As the dealer, toss cards that help your crib. As the pone, avoid giving the dealer good cards. Fives and pairs are especially valuable in the crib.

The Starter Card

After discarding, the pone cuts the deck. The dealer turns over the top card as the starter card. If the starter is a Jack, the dealer pegs 2 points (nibs). The starter is used by all players and the crib as a fifth card during the show phase.

The Play (Pegging)

The pone plays first, placing a card face-up and announcing its value. Players alternate, keeping a running count that cannot exceed 31.

Fifteen — Bringing the count to exactly 15 scores 2 points.
Thirty-one — Reaching exactly 31 scores 2 points and the count resets.
Pair — Same rank as previous card scores 2. Three-of-a-kind scores 6.
Run — A sequence of 3+ consecutive ranks scores 1 per card in the run.
Go — Cannot play without exceeding 31? Say Go. Last player scores 1.
Last Card — Playing the final card scores 1 point for last card.

The Show (Counting Hands)

After all cards are played, each player counts their four cards plus the starter. The pone counts first, then the dealer, then the crib.

Fifteens — Every combination totaling 15 scores 2 points.
Pairs — Each pair of same-rank cards scores 2. Three-of-a-kind = 6.
Runs — 3+ cards in consecutive rank order score 1 point per card.
Flush — Four suited cards in hand = 4 pts. Five with starter = 5 pts.
Nobs — Jack matching the starter suit scores 1 point.

Scoring Reference

Combination	Points	Notes
Fifteen	2	Any combo totaling 15
Pair	2	Two cards of same rank
Pair Royal	6	Three of a kind (3 pairs)
Double Pair Royal	12	Four of a kind (6 pairs)
Run of 3	3	Three consecutive ranks
Run of 4	4	Four consecutive ranks
Run of 5	5	Five consecutive ranks
Four-card Flush	4	Hand cards only, not crib
Five-card Flush	5	Hand + starter match suit
Nobs	1	Jack matching starter suit
Nibs	2	Starter is a Jack (dealer scores)
Go	1	Opponent cannot play
Last Card	1	Playing the final card
Hitting 15	2	Count reaches exactly 15
Hitting 31	2	Count reaches exactly 31

Quick Reference

Players	2 (standard)
Deck	Standard 52 cards
Cards Dealt	6 per player
Cards Kept	4 per player (2 to crib)
Target Score	121 points
Scoring Track	Cribbage board with pegs
Card Values	A=1, 2-10=face value, J/Q/K=10
Starter Card	Cut after discarding to crib
Counting Order	Pone first, dealer hand, then crib
Skunk	Winning before opponent reaches 91
Perfect Hand	29 points (three 5s + J of starter suit)

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How to Play Cribbage

Creating the Crib

After the deal, each player selects 2 cards to discard face-down to the crib. The crib belongs to the dealer and is scored as a separate hand at the end of the round.

As the dealer, toss cards that help your crib. As the pone, avoid giving the dealer good cards. Fives and pairs are especially valuable in the crib.

The Play (Pegging)

The pone plays first, placing a card face-up and announcing its value. Players alternate, keeping a running count that cannot exceed 31.

Fifteen — Bringing the count to exactly 15 scores 2 points.

Thirty-one — Reaching exactly 31 scores 2 points and the count resets.

Pair — Same rank as previous card scores 2. Three-of-a-kind scores 6.

Run — A sequence of 3+ consecutive ranks scores 1 per card in the run.

Go — Cannot play without exceeding 31? Say Go. Last player scores 1.

Last Card — Playing the final card scores 1 point for last card.

The Show (Counting Hands)

After all cards are played, each player counts their four cards plus the starter. The pone counts first, then the dealer, then the crib.

Fifteens — Every combination totaling 15 scores 2 points.

Pairs — Each pair of same-rank cards scores 2. Three-of-a-kind = 6.

Runs — 3+ cards in consecutive rank order score 1 point per card.

Flush — Four suited cards in hand = 4 pts. Five with starter = 5 pts.

Nobs — Jack matching the starter suit scores 1 point.

Scoring Reference

Combination	Points	Notes
Fifteen	2	Any combo totaling 15
Pair	2	Two cards of same rank
Pair Royal	6	Three of a kind (3 pairs)
Double Pair Royal	12	Four of a kind (6 pairs)
Run of 3	3	Three consecutive ranks
Run of 4	4	Four consecutive ranks
Run of 5	5	Five consecutive ranks
Four-card Flush	4	Hand cards only, not crib
Five-card Flush	5	Hand + starter match suit
Nobs	1	Jack matching starter suit
Nibs	2	Starter is a Jack (dealer scores)
Go	1	Opponent cannot play
Last Card	1	Playing the final card
Hitting 15	2	Count reaches exactly 15
Hitting 31	2	Count reaches exactly 31

Quick Reference

Players	2 (standard)
Deck	Standard 52 cards
Cards Dealt	6 per player
Cards Kept	4 per player (2 to crib)
Target Score	121 points
Scoring Track	Cribbage board with pegs
Card Values	A=1, 2-10=face value, J/Q/K=10
Starter Card	Cut after discarding to crib
Counting Order	Pone first, dealer hand, then crib
Skunk	Winning before opponent reaches 91
Perfect Hand	29 points (three 5s + J of starter suit)