Cribbage ONLINE

Traditionally, Cribbage is a game between two players, though popular variations allow for three- and four-player games. Players score points by forming specific card combinations.

One of the game’s defining features, however, is its famous Cribbage Board, which is used to track scoring.

With few rules, but near-countless strategies and subtleties, it’s little wonder why Cribbage has captivated players for hundreds of years.

Typically, Cribbage is played between two players, but three- and four-player games are popular. The number of players dictates the number of cards given to each at the start of the game:

• 2 players: Each player is dealt 6 cards.
• 3 players: Each is dealt 5 cards, and one card is dealt face down to the crib.
• 4 players (partner play): Each gets 5 cards, and each player discards one to the crib.

Players then discard two cards (in 2-player games) to form the crib, which is an extra hand scored by the dealer at the end of the round.

The players use the four remaining cards in their hand for scoring.

During the game, players alternate laying cards one at a time, aiming for combinations. The scoring scheme for Cribbage is more complicated than many games, and often players keep cheat sheets handy until they’re more familiar with the rules:

• 15: Any combination of cards that adds to 15 scores 2 points.
• 31: Totaling exactly 31 scores 2 points.
• Any Pair: 2 points
• Three of a Kind: 6 points
• Four of a Kind: 12 points
• Runs (consecutive cards regardless of suit):
  • Run of 3: 3 points
  • Run of 4: 4 points, and so on . . . .
• “Go:” If a player cannot play without exceeding 31, the other player says "Go" and scores 1 point.
• Last card: If a player lays the final card (without reaching 31), they score 1 point.

After the hand, players score their 4-card hands plus the starter card for additional combinations:

• 15s: Any combination of cards that adds to 15 scores 2 points.
• Pairs: As above.
• Runs: As above.
• Flush:
  • 4 cards in hand of the same suit: 4 points
  • 5 cards (including the starter) of the same suit: 5 points
• Nobs: If their hand contains a Jack of the same suit as the starter card, the player receives 1 point

The crib is then scored by the dealer, using the same rules, but the flush rule is stricter: it only counts if all 5 cards (including starter) are the same suit.

Play begins once players have discarded to the crib.

Starting with the non-dealer, players alternate placing one card at a time on the table, aiming to hit a running total of 31 or less.

Each card played on the table by either player contributes to a cumulative count, and players score points for making 15s, pairs, runs, or reaching exactly 31.

If a player can’t play without exceeding 31, they say “Go,” and the opponent continues until they can play no more cards.

The player who plays the last card under 31 scores 1 point.

After all cards are played, players score their hands and the crib.

The dealer position alternates between players after each hand.

The first player to 121 points is the winner.

Because points are scored throughout a round—during the play phase, scoring hands, and scoring the crib—a player can win the game at any time during a match.

This opens up numerous strategies for how a player might look to score points. It’s also the reason why scores are tracked using the pegged Cribbage Board through the course of a hand.