Cribbage Hand Calculator & Scoring Guide
Never miss a point. Learn how to count every combination in your Cribbage hand.
The complete Cribbage hand scoring guide — never miss a point with this systematic counting method.
Cribbage scoring intimidates beginners because you have to find every combination in a hand — and missing points is essentially throwing them away. This guide teaches you to count systematically so you never leave points on the table.
Card Values for Counting
| Card | Point Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2 through 10 | Face value |
| Jack | 10 |
| Queen | 10 |
| King | 10 |
Scoring Categories
Count your hand (4 cards + the starter/cut card) in this order:
1. Fifteens (2 points each)
Every unique combination of cards that sums to exactly 15 scores 2 points.
Two-card 15s (most common):
| Combo | Example |
|---|---|
| 5 + 10/J/Q/K | 5♣ + Q♥ = 15 |
| 6 + 9 | 6♦ + 9♠ = 15 |
| 7 + 8 | 7♥ + 8♣ = 15 |
Three-card 15s (commonly missed!):
| Combo | Example |
|---|---|
| A + 4 + 10/J/Q/K | A♣ + 4♥ + K♠ = 15 |
| 2 + 3 + 10/J/Q/K | 2♦ + 3♣ + J♥ = 15 |
| 3 + 5 + 7 | 3♠ + 5♥ + 7♣ = 15 |
| A + 5 + 9 | A♦ + 5♣ + 9♥ = 15 |
| 5 + 5 + 5 | 5♣ + 5♦ + 5♥ = 15 |
Four- and five-card 15s (rare but don’t miss them):
| Combo | Example |
|---|---|
| A + 2 + 3 + 9 | = 15 |
| A + 2 + 5 + 7 | = 15 |
| A + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 | = 15 |
2. Pairs (2 points each)
Every pair of cards with the same rank scores 2 points.
| Combination | Points | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| One pair | 2 | One combination |
| Three of a kind | 6 | Three pairs (AB, AC, BC) |
| Four of a kind | 12 | Six pairs (AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD) |
3. Runs (1 point per card in sequence)
Three or more cards in sequential rank (suit doesn’t matter).
| Run | Points | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 3-card run | 3 | 3-4-5 |
| 4-card run | 4 | 3-4-5-6 |
| 5-card run | 5 | A-2-3-4-5 |
| Double run | 6 | 3-4-5 + 3-4-5 (with a pair) |
| Double-double run | 8 | With two pairs in the run |
| Triple run | 9 | 3-card run × 3 (with three of a kind) |
Important: Runs are based on rank, not value. Q-K-A is NOT a run (Ace is always low in Cribbage).
4. Flush (4 or 5 points)
| Type | Points | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Hand flush | 4 | All 4 cards in YOUR hand are the same suit |
| Full flush | 5 | All 4 cards + starter card are the same suit |
Crib flush rule: In the crib, you can ONLY score a flush if all 5 cards (4 in crib + starter) are the same suit. A 4-card crib flush doesn’t count.
5. Nobs (1 point)
If you hold the Jack of the same suit as the starter card, score 1 point (“one for his nobs”).
Counting Method: Step by Step
Example hand: 5♣, 5♦, 5♥, J♠ with starter card 5♠
Step 1 — Fifteens:
- 5♣ + J♠ = 15 → 2 pts
- 5♦ + J♠ = 15 → 2 pts
- 5♥ + J♠ = 15 → 2 pts
- 5♠ + J♠ = 15 → 2 pts
- 5♣ + 5♦ + 5♥ = 15 → 2 pts
- 5♣ + 5♦ + 5♠ = 15 → 2 pts
- 5♣ + 5♥ + 5♠ = 15 → 2 pts
- 5♦ + 5♥ + 5♠ = 15 → 2 pts
- Fifteens total: 16 points
Step 2 — Pairs:
- 5♣-5♦, 5♣-5♥, 5♣-5♠, 5♦-5♥, 5♦-5♠, 5♥-5♠ = 6 pairs
- Pairs total: 12 points
Step 3 — Runs: None (no consecutive ranks)
Step 4 — Flush: No (mixed suits)
Step 5 — Nobs: J♠ matches starter 5♠ → 1 point
Grand total: 29 points — the highest possible Cribbage hand!
Common Hand Scores
| Hand Description | Typical Score |
|---|---|
| No 15s, no pairs, no runs | 0 (a “19 hand” — impossible, so it means zero) |
| One 15 and one pair | 4 |
| Two 15s and a pair | 6 |
| Double run with a 15 | 8-10 |
| Triple run | 15+ |
| The “perfect 29” | 29 (once in ~216,580 deals) |
Quick Tips
- Always check for 3-card 15s — they’re the most commonly missed points.
- Count pairs in three-of-a-kind — it’s 6 points (3 pairs), not 2.
- Double runs are sneaky — a run of 3-4-5 with two 4s gives you TWO runs: 3-4-5 and 3-4-5 = 6 for runs + 2 for the pair = 8 points.
- The “magic 5” — fives are the most valuable cards because they pair with 10-value cards (J, Q, K, 10) for easy 15s.
- Don’t forget the starter card — it’s part of your counting hand. Many beginners only count their 4 cards.
Pegging Quick Reference
During play (pegging phase), score points for:
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Cards totaling exactly 15 | 2 |
| Cards totaling exactly 31 | 2 |
| Pair (same rank as previous card) | 2 |
| Three of a kind (pair royal) | 6 |
| Four of a kind (double pair royal) | 12 |
| Run of 3+ (in sequence played) | Length of run |
| Last card (if under 31) | 1 |
| “Go” (opponent can’t play) | 1 |
Practice counting hands in real games at Rare Pike Cribbage →.
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