How to play Cribbage: Complete rules, setup, gameplay, and strategy tips for beginners.

Cribbage is one of the oldest and most rewarding card games — a 2-player game with a unique scoring system, a shared “crib” hand, and a pegging board that tracks every point. It was invented by Sir John Suckling in the 1600s and has been a favorite of card players ever since.

What You Need

  • Players: 2 (also works with 3 or 4)
  • Deck: Standard 52-card deck (no Jokers)
  • Cards are worth: A = 1, 2-10 = face value, J/Q/K = 10
  • Scoring tool: Cribbage board (online versions track automatically)

Setup

  1. Decide the first dealer (traditionally by cutting the deck — lowest card deals)
  2. Dealer shuffles and deals 6 cards to each player
  3. Each player looks at their 6 cards and discards 2 cards face down into the crib
  4. The crib belongs to the dealer and is scored at the end of the round

Both players now have 4 cards in hand. The crib has 4 cards face down.

The Starter Card

After discarding to the crib, the non-dealer cuts the remaining deck. The dealer flips the top card of the cut portion face-up — this is the starter card.

  • If the starter is a Jack: the dealer immediately scores 2 points (“His Heels”)
  • The starter card is used by both players (and the crib) during hand scoring

Phase 1: Pegging (The Play)

Players alternate playing cards face-up, keeping a running count toward 31.

How Pegging Works

  1. Non-dealer plays first — Place one card face-up and announce its value
  2. Alternate turns — Each player adds a card, adding to the running count
  3. Cannot exceed 31 — If you can’t play without going over 31, say “Go”
  4. If opponent says Go — Continue playing until you also can’t play
  5. Last card scores 1 point (or 2 if it hits exactly 31)
  6. Reset to 0 — Start a new count with remaining cards

Pegging Scoring

Event Points
Reaching exactly 15 2
Reaching exactly 31 2
Last card (under 31) 1
Pair (same rank as last card) 2
Three of a kind (third consecutive same rank) 6
Four of a kind 12
Run of 3+ (consecutive ranks in any order) 1 per card

Phase 2: Counting Hands (The Show)

After pegging, players count their 4-card hands + the starter card (5 cards total).

Non-dealer counts first (this matters — if both players are close to 121, counting order determines the winner).

Scoring Combinations

Combination Points Example
15 — any cards summing to 15 2 per combination 7 + 8 = 15 → 2 pts
Pair — two cards of same rank 2 Two 9s → 2 pts
Three of a kind 6 (3 pairs) Three 9s → 6 pts
Four of a kind 12 (6 pairs) Four 9s → 12 pts
Run of 3+ 1 per card 3-4-5 → 3 pts
Flush — 4 cards same suit in hand 4 All ♥ in hand → 4 pts
Flush of 5 — hand + starter same suit 5 All 5 cards ♥ → 5 pts
His Nobs — Jack of starter’s suit 1 J♠ when starter is any ♠ → 1 pt

Important: Every possible combination counts. A hand of 5-5-5-J (starter = 5) scores:

  • 15s: Each 5 pairs with J(10) for 15 = 4 × 2 = 8 pts
  • 15s: Each group of three 5s = 15, 4 combinations × 2 = 8 pts
  • Four of a kind (four 5s) = 12 pts
  • Total: 28 points (one of the highest possible hands)

Counting the Crib

After both players count their hands, the dealer counts the crib using the same rules (crib + starter = 5 cards). One exception: a flush in the crib only counts if all 5 cards (including the starter) are the same suit.

Winning

  • First player to reach 121 points wins
  • Points are tracked on the Cribbage board continuously — you can win during pegging, hand counting, or crib counting
  • If you reach 121 during pegging, the game ends immediately (you don’t need to count your hand)

Skunk

If the losing player fails to reach 91 points, they’ve been skunked (a more embarrassing loss, counting as double in some scoring systems).

Basic Strategy

  1. Keep cards that make 15s — Combinations like 5+10, 7+8, 6+9 are your bread and butter
  2. Keep 5s — Fives combine with the most cards to make 15 (any 10, J, Q, K)
  3. Discard carefully to the crib — When you’re dealer, put good cards in (you score it). When you’re not dealer, put garbage in (your opponent scores it)
  4. Lead low during pegging — Starting with a low card (A-4) makes it harder for opponents to score 15
  5. Don’t lead a 5 — Your opponent can play any 10-value card for an instant 15 (2 points)

Play Cribbage Online

Cribbage is available to play free in your browser on Rare Pike. No downloads, no account — just click and play against AI or other players.