Cribbage has more unique terminology than almost any other card game. Whether you’re a new player confused by “muggins” or a casual player who just heard “stink hole” for the first time, this glossary covers every cribbage term you’ll encounter. For official terminology used in competitive play, see the American Cribbage Congress.

A

Automatic Peg

When the starter card is a Jack, the dealer automatically pegs 2 points. Also called nibs or his heels. This happens at the cut, before the play begins.

B

Back Pegging

A defensive pegging strategy focused on avoiding giving your opponent points rather than actively seeking your own. Typically used when you’re ahead on the board and want to protect your lead.

Balking

Discarding cards to the crib that are unlikely to produce points. Used by the pone (non-dealer) to avoid strengthening the dealer’s crib. For example, discarding a King and an Ace — cards that are far apart in rank and difficult to combine for fifteens. See Discard Strategy for more.

Board

The cribbage scoring board — a flat piece of wood, plastic, or metal with rows of holes for pegs. Standard boards have 121 holes per player (two rows of 60 plus a game hole). Players leapfrog two pegs to track their score.

C

Counting Out

Reaching 121 points (the winning score) during any scoring phase. A player can count out during pegging, during the show (hand counting), or during the crib count. The game ends immediately when a player reaches 121 — no further scoring takes place.

Crib

A separate 4-card hand formed by the discards of both players (2 cards each). The crib belongs to the dealer and is counted after both players have shown their hands. The crib is scored like a normal hand, except flushes require all 5 cards (including the starter) to be the same suit. Also sometimes called “the box.”

Cut

After discarding to the crib, the non-dealer cuts the deck by lifting a portion. The dealer then reveals the top card of the lower section — this becomes the starter card. If the cut reveals a Jack, the dealer scores 2 for nibs.

D

Dealer

The player who deals the cards for the current round. The dealer receives the crib and counts it after both hands. Dealing alternates each round. Being the dealer is an advantage (extra 4–5 points on average from the crib).

Double Pair Royal

Four cards of the same rank, containing 6 distinct pairs and scoring 12 points. Example: 8-8-8-8. For scoring details, see Cribbage Scoring Guide.

Double Run

A run of three or more consecutive cards where one rank has a pair, creating two separate runs. Example: 7-8-8-9 scores two runs of 3 (6 points) plus a pair (2 points) = 8 points. A double run of 4 (e.g., 6-7-8-8-9) scores 10 points.

Double Skunk

A decisive victory where the losing player fails to reach 61 points (the halfway mark). In tournament play, a double skunk is sometimes worth 3 or 4 game points. See Skunks and Corners.

F

Fifteen

Any combination of cards whose values total exactly 15. Each fifteen is worth 2 points. Face cards (J, Q, K) count as 10; Aces count as 1. A single hand can contain multiple fifteens. This is the most common scoring combination in cribbage.

First Street

Holes 1–30 on the cribbage board. First street is the opening phase of the game. See Endgame Strategy for how board position affects play.

Flush

Four or more cards of the same suit. In the hand, 4 matching cards = 4 points. If the starter also matches, the flush is 5 points. In the crib, all 5 cards must match or the flush scores nothing. See Flush Rules for the complete rules.

Fourth Street

Holes 91–120 on the cribbage board. The final stretch of the game, where positional play and counting order become critical.

G

Go

When a player cannot play a card without the running total exceeding 31, they say “Go.” The opponent then continues playing (if possible) and scores 1 point for the Go. After a Go, the running total resets to zero.

H

Hand

Each player’s 4-card holding (after discarding 2 to the crib). Scored with the shared starter card as a fifth card during the show.

His Heels

Another name for nibs — when the starter card is a Jack and the dealer scores 2 points. The name dates back to early English cribbage.

His Nob / His Nobs

When you hold the Jack of the same suit as the starter card, you score 1 point. Also simply called nobs. See Nibs and Nobs for the full explanation.

Hole

One position on the cribbage board. Standard boards have 121 holes per player, numbered from 1 to 121 (or 0 to 120 in some systems).

L

Last Card

The player who plays the final card in a pegging round scores 1 point (assuming the count is under 31). If the final card brings the total to exactly 31, the player scores 2 points instead.

Lurching

Winning the game when your opponent has not yet passed the stink hole (hole 90 in some variants). Essentially the same as a skunk, though the exact threshold varies by house rules.

M

Muggins

An optional rule (mandatory in most tournaments) where if you miss points during counting, your opponent can call “muggins” and claim those points for themselves. This makes accurate counting essential. See Muggins Rule for the full guide.

N

Nibs

When the starter (cut) card is a Jack, the dealer immediately pegs 2 points. Also called “his heels.” This is the only scoring that happens at the cut. Do not confuse with nobs.

Nineteenth Hole

Humorous term for a hand scoring zero points. Since 19 is an impossible cribbage hand score, saying “I scored 19” (or “nineteenth hole”) means you scored nothing. See also: impossible scores.

Nobs

Holding the Jack whose suit matches the starter card scores 1 point. Also called “one for his nob.” This is counted during the show (hand counting), not at the cut.

P

Pair

Two cards of the same rank, worth 2 points. Three of a kind (pair royal) = 3 pairs = 6 points. Four of a kind (double pair royal) = 6 pairs = 12 points.

Pair Royal

Three cards of the same rank, containing 3 distinct pairs and scoring 6 points. Example: Q-Q-Q.

Peg / Pegging

Moving your peg forward on the cribbage board to record points. “Pegging” also refers to the play — the phase where players alternate laying down cards toward a running total of 31. Points scored during this phase are “pegging points.”

Pone

The non-dealer. The pone always plays and counts first. Playing first is a minor advantage during pegging (the pone typically pegs 1-2 more points); counting first is a significant advantage in close games because you can count out before the dealer.

R

Run

Three or more cards in consecutive rank order (regardless of suit). A run of 3 = 3 points, run of 4 = 4 points, run of 5 = 5 points. Runs can combine with pairs to create double or triple runs.

S

Second Street

Holes 31–60 on the cribbage board. The second quarter of the game.

Show

The scoring phase after pegging, when each player counts their hand (4 cards + starter). The pone shows first, then the dealer shows, then the dealer counts the crib.

Skunk

A decisive win where the losing player has fewer than 91 points (hasn’t finished three-quarters of the board). In tournament play, a skunk is worth 2 game points instead of the normal 1. See Skunks and Corners.

Starter

The card cut after discarding — placed face-up on the remaining deck. Both players and the crib use the starter as a shared fifth card during the show. If the starter is a Jack, the dealer scores 2 for nibs.

Stink Hole

Hole 120 — one point away from winning (121). A player on the stink hole is in a powerful position because almost any scoring opportunity will win the game. In some house rules, certain scoring (like counting nibs) is restricted on the stink hole. See Skunks and Corners.

T

Theory of 26

A strategic framework for positional play. After six deals, the combined points available average roughly 26 per hand (dealer hand + crib + pegging). The theory helps determine whether you should play aggressively or defensively based on whether you’re ahead or behind the average pace. See Endgame Strategy.

Third Street

Holes 61–90 on the cribbage board. The third quarter of the game.

Thirty-One (31)

The maximum running total during pegging. When the total reaches exactly 31, the player scores 2 points and the count resets. No card may be played if it would push the total above 31.

Triple Run

A run of three consecutive ranks where one rank has three cards (pair royal). Creates three runs plus the pair royal. Example: 4-4-4-5-6 scores 3+3+3 = 9 (runs) + 6 (pair royal) = 15 points.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between nibs and nobs?

Nibs: The starter card is a Jack → dealer pegs 2 immediately at the cut. Nobs: You hold the Jack matching the starter’s suit → 1 point during the show. They are completely separate scoring events. See Nibs and Nobs.

Is muggins a required rule?

In casual play, muggins is optional — most friendly games skip it. In tournament play sanctioned by the American Cribbage Congress (ACC), muggins is mandatory. See Muggins Rule.

What does “a 19 hand” mean?

A hand that scores zero points. Since 19 is an impossible score in cribbage, saying “I had a 19 hand” is cribbage slang for a worthless hand.

What is the stink hole?

Hole 120 — one point from winning. The term suggests that being so close to victory and not winning “stinks.” Some house rules restrict nibs scoring while on the stink hole.

Curious how cribbage compares to other classic card games? Read our cribbage vs gin rummy breakdown to see where the two games overlap and where they diverge.