Counting a cribbage hand accurately is the single most important skill in the game. Miss a fifteen and you leave 2 points on the table — and under the muggins rule, your opponent can claim them. This guide teaches a reliable, repeatable counting method that works for every hand.

The Counting Order

Always count in the same order. This builds muscle memory and prevents missed points:

  1. Fifteens — all combinations totalling 15
  2. Pairs — matching ranks
  3. Runs — consecutive sequences
  4. Flushes — all one suit
  5. Nobs — Jack matching the starter’s suit

This is the standard tournament counting order, also recommended by Bicycle Cards. Stick to it every time.

Step 1: Count All Fifteens

Fifteens are the most commonly missed points. Count them systematically by working through group sizes:

Two-Card Fifteens

Check every pair of cards for combinations totalling 15. The most common:

Card A Card B Total
5 10, J, Q, or K 15
6 9 15
7 8 15
A 4 + 10-value 15 (three-card)

With 5 cards (4 hand + starter), there are 10 possible two-card combinations. Check them methodically — don’t jump around.

Three-Card Fifteens

After checking all pairs, look for groups of three that total 15. Common patterns:

  • A + 4 + 10 = 15
  • A + 5 + 9 = 15
  • 2 + 3 + 10 = 15
  • 2 + 4 + 9 = 15
  • 2 + 5 + 8 = 15
  • 2 + 6 + 7 = 15
  • 3 + 4 + 8 = 15
  • 3 + 5 + 7 = 15
  • 4 + 5 + 6 = 15
  • 5 + 5 + 5 = 15
  • A + 2 + 3 + 9 = 15 (that’s four-card — see below)

With 5 cards, there are 10 possible three-card combinations. This takes practice, but patterns emerge quickly.

Four-Card and Five-Card Fifteens

Check groups of four (5 possible combinations) and all five cards together (1 combination). Four-card fifteens are less common but easy to miss.

Example of a four-card fifteen: A-2-3-9 with a starter of K → A+2+3+9 = 15.

Shortcut for experienced players: If your hand contains a 5, check it against every 10-value card first (those are guaranteed fifteens). Then check the remaining non-5 combinations.

Step 2: Count Pairs

Pairs are straightforward — two cards of the same rank score 2 points. But make sure to count all pairs when you have three or four of a kind:

What you have Number of pairs Points
One pair (e.g., 8-8) 1 2
Three of a kind (e.g., 8-8-8) 3 6
Four of a kind (e.g., 8-8-8-8) 6 12

This step is quick. Scan the five cards for matching ranks, count the pairs, move on.

Step 3: Count Runs

Look for three or more cards in consecutive rank (suit doesn’t matter):

  • Run of 3 = 3 points
  • Run of 4 = 4 points
  • Run of 5 = 5 points

Runs with Duplicate Cards

When you have a pair within a run, each duplicate creates a separate run. This is where most counting errors happen.

Hand Runs Run Points
3-4-5 One run of 3 3
3-4-4-5 Two runs of 3 (3-4₁-5 and 3-4₂-5) 6
3-3-4-5 Two runs of 3 6
3-3-4-4-5 Four runs of 3 12
3-4-4-4-5 Three runs of 3 9
3-4-5-6 One run of 4 4
3-4-4-5-6 Two runs of 4 8

The pattern: Multiply the run length by the number of duplicates.

  • One pair in a run of 3 → 2 × 3 = 6
  • Two pairs in a run of 3 → 2 × 2 × 3 = 12
  • Three of a kind in a run of 3 → 3 × 3 = 9

Step 4: Check for a Flush

All 4 hand cards must be the same suit for a flush:

  • 4 hand cards same suit = 4 points
  • 4 hand cards + starter same suit = 5 points

If you are counting the crib, a flush only counts if all 5 cards (including the starter) are the same suit. A 4-card flush in the crib scores nothing. Don’t forget to check for flushes every hand — they’re easy to overlook, especially when you’re focused on fifteens and runs. See our cribbage flush rules for the full details on when flushes count and common mistakes to avoid.

Step 5: Check for Nobs

Do you hold the Jack that matches the suit of the starter card? If yes, score 1 point. That’s it.

Don’t confuse this with nibs (a Jack turned as the starter — that’s 2 points to the dealer, scored at the cut, not during the show).

Practice Examples

Example 1: Simple Hand

Hand: 4♣ 5♦ 6♠ J♥ | Starter: 5♣

Fifteens:

  • 4 + 5♦ + 6 = 15 → 2 pts
  • 4 + 5♣ + 6 = 15 → 2 pts
  • 5♦ + J = 15 → 2 pts
  • 5♣ + J = 15 → 2 pts

Pairs: 5♦ + 5♣ = 2 pts

Runs: 4-5♦-6 and 4-5♣-6 — double run of 3 = 6 pts

Flush: No (mixed suits)

Nobs: J♥, starter is 5♣ — no match. 0 pts.

Total: 8 + 2 + 6 = 16 points

Example 2: Tricky Fifteens

Hand: 2♠ 3♦ 5♣ 10♥ | Starter: Q♠

Fifteens:

  • 5 + 10 = 15 → 2 pts
  • 5 + Q = 15 → 2 pts
  • 2 + 3 + 10 = 15 → 2 pts
  • 2 + 3 + Q = 15 → 2 pts

Pairs: None

Runs: 2-3 is only two consecutive. No run.

Flush: No

Nobs: No Jack in hand.

Total: 8 points — The two three-card fifteens (2+3+10 and 2+3+Q) are easy to miss!

Example 3: Complex Hand

Hand: 6♥ 7♠ 7♦ 8♣ | Starter: 9♥

Fifteens:

  • 6 + 9 = 15 → 2 pts
  • 7♠ + 8 = 15 → 2 pts
  • 7♦ + 8 = 15 → 2 pts

Pairs: 7♠ + 7♦ = 2 pts

Runs: 6-7♠-8-9 and 6-7♦-8-9 — double run of 4 = 8 pts

Flush: No

Nobs: No Jack.

Total: 6 + 2 + 8 = 16 points

Example 4: Maximum Practice

Hand: 5♥ 5♠ 5♦ J♣ | Starter: 5♣

Fifteens:

  • J + 5♥ = 15 → 2 pts
  • J + 5♠ = 15 → 2 pts
  • J + 5♦ = 15 → 2 pts
  • J + 5♣ = 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

Pairs: Four 5s = 6 pairs = 12 pts

Runs: None

Flush: No

Nobs: J♣ matches starter 5♣ = 1 pt

Total: 16 + 12 + 1 = 29 points — the perfect 29 hand!

Common Counting Mistakes

  1. Missing three-card fifteens — always check after two-card combinations
  2. Undercounting runs with pairs — 3-4-4-5 is 8 points (two runs + pair), not 5
  3. Forgetting the starter — it’s your fifth card. Always include it.
  4. Counting a flush with only 3 matching suits — all 4 hand cards must match
  5. Confusing nobs and nibs — nobs is in your hand (1 pt); nibs is at the cut (2 pts to dealer)

Speed Tips for Experienced Players

  • Memorize common hand patterns: 5-5-10-J with any starter is at least 12 (four fifteens + pair). Learning the baseline values of ~20 common patterns lets you count faster.
  • Count fifteens in pairs of fifteens: “Fifteen-two, fifteen-four” is faster than counting each one individually.
  • Spot double runs immediately: Whenever you see a pair and the surrounding cards are consecutive, you have a double run. The score is: (run length × 2) + 2 for the pair.
  • Practice with flash cards or apps: Speed counting is a learnable skill. Even 5 minutes of daily practice dramatically improves accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the order I count in matter?

No — the total is the same regardless of order. But using a consistent order (fifteens → pairs → runs → flush → nobs) prevents missed points. Tournament players always use the same sequence.

What if I count my hand wrong?

In casual play, your opponent corrects you. In tournament play, the muggins rule applies: if you undercount, your opponent can claim the missed points. Overcounting is corrected back to the true total.

Should I count the crib differently?

Count the crib exactly the same way, with one exception: a flush in the crib requires all 5 cards (including the starter) to be the same suit. A 4-card flush in the crib scores 0.

How long should counting take?

Experienced players count most hands in under 10 seconds. Complex hands with multiple fifteens and double runs might take 15–20 seconds. If you’re a beginner, take your time — accuracy matters more than speed.