Cribbage Rules

Overview

The object of the game is to be the first player to 121 points.

A standard 52 playing card deck is used. All four suits are considered equal and aces are always low. Facecards are each worth 10.

Starting the Game

After each player has shuffled, the players cut the pack to determine who deals first. The player who cuts the lowest card deals first.

Playing the Game

The dealer deals 6 cards to each player. Each player then picks 4 cards to keep in their own hand and 2 to send to the crib. The crib is placed face down until later.

The non-dealer cuts the deck and the dealer flips over the top card. This flipped card becomes the cut card. If the card flipped over is a Jack, then the dealer pegs 2 points. This is called His Heels. The cut card and the rest of the deck are placed to the side.

Following this, the non-dealer selects a card from his hand to play first, announcing the numeric value of it as it is laid down. The dealer follows by laying down a card of her own and announcing the numeric value of the total of both cards. This continues for as long as each player still has cards. Along the way, the following scoring opportunities exist:

Pair, three-of-a-kind, four-of-a-kind: If a player follows another player's card with a card of the same value, that player scores 2 points. If a player plays a third card of the same value (three-of-a-kind), they score 6 points. A fourth card (four-of-a-kind) scores 12.

Runs: A run of 3 or more cards scores 1 point per card. The cards do not have to run in order. For example, if the cards are played 7-5-6, the player who played the 6 scores 3 points for the run. The other player could then lay down a 4, for example, and score 4 points for a four card run.

Fifteen: If a player plays a card that brings the count to 15 exactly, they score 2 points.

Thirty-One: Reaching 31 exactly also scores 2 points. If neither player can play a card that keeps the count at or under 31, the count is reset and the last person to play receives one point. Typically, the person passing their turn says Go when this happens.

After each player has played all four cards, it becomes time to score the hands in the following order: the non-dealer's hand, the dealer's hand, and finally the crib (which belongs to the dealer). The scoring opportunities in this stage of the game are similar to before:

Pair: A pair scores 2 points. Three-of-a-kind scores 6. Four-of-a-kind scores 12.

Run: A run of three or more cards scores 1 point per card.

Fifteen: A combination of two or more cards that add up to 15 exactly scores 2 points.

Flush: A four card flush in the hand (not in the crib and not including the cut card) scores 4 points. A five card flush including the cut card, in the hand or crib, scores 5.

His Nobs: A Jack of the same suit as the cut card scores 1 point.

Winning the Game

The winner is the first player to reach 121 points. The games is over as soon as the first player hits 121 – play does not continue until the end of the hand. If the loser fails to score at least 91 points, they are skunked.

Now that you know how, Go Play!