Cribbage Hand Scorer
Select your 4 hand cards and the starter card — get an instant point breakdown showing every 15, pair, run, flush, and nob.
Use the scorer below to calculate the exact point value of any cribbage hand. Select your 4 hand cards, then the starter card, and click Calculate Score for a full breakdown.
Your Hand (4 cards)
Starter / Cut Card
How Cribbage Scoring Works
A cribbage hand is scored across five categories, always counted in this order: Fifteens → Pairs → Runs → Flush → Nobs. Missing any category is leaving points on the table.
Fifteens (2 points each)
Every combination of cards that adds to exactly 15 scores 2 points. Card values: Ace = 1, numbered cards = face value, Jack/Queen/King = 10. The scorer checks all 31 possible subsets of your 5 cards and counts every combination that sums to 15.
Example: 5♠ 6♥ 9♦ K♣ (starter: 4♠)
- 6+9 = 15 ✓
- 5+6+4 = 15 ✓
- 6+K-… wait, 6+9=15, K+5=15
Two fifteens = 4 points
Pairs (2 points each)
Each pair of cards with the same rank = 2 points. Three of a kind = 3 pairs = 6 points. Four of a kind = 6 pairs = 12 points.
Runs (1 point per card)
Three or more cards in consecutive rank order score 1 point per card. A pair within a run creates a double run — both versions of the run score separately.
| Hand example | Score |
|---|---|
| 3-4-5 | Run of 3 = 3 pts |
| 3-4-4-5 | Double run of 3 = 6 pts + pair = 2 pts |
| 3-3-4-4-5 | 4× run of 3 = 12 pts + 2 pairs = 4 pts |
| A-2-3-4 | Run of 4 = 4 pts |
Flush (4–5 points)
All 4 hand cards the same suit = 4 points. All 5 cards (including starter) the same suit = 5 points. In the crib, only a 5-card flush counts.
Nobs (1 point)
A Jack in your hand that matches the suit of the starter card = 1 point.
FAQs
How does the cribbage hand scorer work?
Select a rank and suit for each of your 4 hand cards and the starter card, then click Calculate Score. The tool checks all subsets for fifteens, finds every pair, identifies runs (including double and triple runs), checks for flushes, and detects nobs — giving an exact point total with a full breakdown.
What is the maximum cribbage hand score?
29 points — three 5s and a Jack in hand, with the fourth 5 as the starter matching the Jack’s suit.
Does this handle double runs?
Yes. A pair within a consecutive sequence is automatically detected and scored as multiple runs.
What is nobs?
A Jack in hand matching the starter card’s suit = 1 point.
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