Here are simple instructions for playing cribbage, which can be enjoyed by 2 to 4 players:
Objective:
- Score Points: The goal is to be the first player to score 121 points.
Equipment:
- Cribbage Board: Used to keep score with pegs for each player.
- Standard Deck: Without jokers.
- Cribbage Pegs: At least two per player.
How to Play:
- Deal:
- For 2 players: Each player gets 6 cards, discards 2 into the “crib.”
- For 3 or 4 players: Each player gets 5 cards, discards 1 into the crib.
- The dealer’s opponent cuts the deck after dealing for the first card of the crib.
- The Crib:
- The crib cards belong to the dealer and are not used until later in the scoring phase.
- Start of Play:
- The non-dealer cuts the deck, and the card cut is turned up. If it’s a Jack, the dealer scores 2 points (called “Nobs” or “His Heels” or “His Nibs”).
- The non-dealer begins the play by placing one card face up on the table.
- Play:
- Players take turns laying down one card at a time, calling out the total value of all cards played so far.
- Scoring during play:
- 15: Any combination making exactly 15 scores 2 points.
- Pairs: Two cards of the same rank score 2 points. Three of a kind scores 6, four of a kind scores 12.
- Runs: Three or more consecutive ranks (regardless of suit) score points (e.g., 3-4-5 scores 3 points, etc. runs do not need to be played in order, so long as they are not broken up by a go or another card. 10, Q, J for 3, for example).
- Last Card: The player who plays the last card to reach 31 or the one who cannot play without going over 31 scores 1 point (“Go” or “One for the last”).
- If the count reaches 31 or a player cannot play without exceeding 31, the count starts over at zero.
- End of Play:
- After all cards are played, players score for combinations in their hand:
- Pairs: As in play.
- Runs: As in play.
- Fifteen: Any combination of cards adding up to 15 scores 2 points.
- Flush: Four cards of the same suit score 4 points. If the start card matches the suit, it’s 5 points.
- Nobs: Jack in hand of the same suit as the starter card scores 1 point.
- The dealer scores the crib similarly, but remember, flushes in the crib need all five cards to score.
- After all cards are played, players score for combinations in their hand:
- Pegging:
- Players move their pegs on the board to keep score. Each peg advances based on points scored.
- Next Deal:
- The deal passes clockwise after each hand.
Winning:
- The first player to peg 121 points wins the game, which often involves going around the board one or more times.
Notes:
- Strategy: Knowing when to discard cards to the crib can be crucial. Generally, avoid giving the dealer strong scoring possibilities.
- When playing a series of games, players keep score for winning. Large wins of more than 30 (Skunk) or 60 (Double Skunk) also accumulate points.
- Cribbage is as much about strategy in discarding as it is in playing. Enjoy the blend of luck and skill this game offers!
