All About Cribbage

The Background of Cribbage

Cribbage is a card game for two players where you aim to form combinations of cards to score points and play the cards you have in a particular to gain points.

What makes cribbage stand out from other card games is that it utilises a cribbage board to keep score and has its own unique scoring system.

It’s a game that has been in existence since the early 17th century and not much has changed since it’s inception as a popular parlour game. The main aim of the game is to score 121 points before your opposing player can. There are a variety of ways to do this.

Playing the Game of Cribbage

To play cribbage you have to use a standard 52 deck of playing cards. You deal six cards to each player with each player discarding two cards face down to form ‘the crib’ This will be used at a later stage by the dealer.

The player who isn’t the dealer will then cut the deck and the exposes the top card which is call ed the starter card. It is placed on top of the deck facing upwards. If it happens to be a Jack, the dealer is awarded two points.

When the game actually begins, each player has to lay one card alternately, saying the cumulative value of the cards laid. The total laid must not be more than 31, so a player who can’t lay a card without surpassing 31 must pass their turn by saying ‘go’. This means that the other player can continue to lay as many cards as they can without going past 31 – the player who lays a card last without going past the magical 31 is awarded one point ‘for the go’. Then, the cumulative number is wiped clear and the players play the remainder of their cards.

When the last card is played, the player scores ‘one for the last card’ rather than ‘one for the go’. Another rule to consider here is that if anyone lays a card that makes the cumulative exactly 31, then two points are awarded rather than one. Once one player gets to 121, the game ends and that player wins. When play is finished, the ‘show’ occurs. This is where each player totals the points in their hands and puts this onto the board (pegging it).

Scoring in Cribbage

One of the most complicated areas of cribbage for newcomers to the game is the scoring. During the game, (including play and the show) you can count the card value of each card. When you’re scoring during play, there are a few ways of doing so:

• Cumulative
You score two points for a total of 15 and two points for a total of 31 with one point ‘for the go’ or for the last card.
• Pairs
You can score for pairs – two points for a card of the same rank as the last card, 6 points for having a third consecutive card of the same value or a massive 12 points for a fourth consecutive card of the same value.
• Runs
You can get three points for completing a run of three cards no matter what order they are laid. You can also score four points if you complete a run of four cards and then one point for each extra card in the run from there.

Show Scoring in Cribbage

• Fifteens
You can core in the show by getting two points for each combination of cards that are equal to 15. You can use individual cards in more than one 15.
• Pairs
In the show, you get 2 points for each pair, 5 points for a royal pair (3 of a kind) and a huge 12 points for a double royal pair (4 of a kind)
• Suit and Sequence Combos
You get one point for each card in a run (with a minimum of three cards), one point for each card in a flush and one point for the jack of the same suit as the starter card.

The Strategy of Cribbage

Most cribbage dealers know that there are certain cards and combinations that are beneficial to having a good hand. The non-dealing player usually tries to hold onto those cards and the dealer will also try to keep any good scoring combinations together.

It’s usually better overall to keep pairs, combinations and runs that are equal to 15 in your hand or in the crib. There are a variety of other useful cards. Fives are good cards as they often help form 15, also a five in the crib guarantees you will get at least two points. Sevens and Aces are likely to combine to 15 as well as threes, sixes and nines.

If you’re playing in a two player game (which is the most common way of doing so), some simple tactics can be employed to help you win. Always try to avoid leading with a five. It’s very common for your opponent to have a ten or a face card so they’ll be able to make 15 and rack up two points.

Also, you can play a four to try and ensure your opponent can’t make 15 on their next card played. In general terms, try playing a card from a pair. If an opponent then goes on to complete the pair for two points, hopefully the initial player can go on and complete a royal pair for six. If you keep hold of your small cards, this will increase your chances of being able to play the last card for one point or getting 31 for two points.

One of the worst counts to make in cribbage is 21. 30.8% of the deck has a value of 10, so if you’re on 21, there’s a very good chance your opponent will be able to play a card to obtain 31 and get two points.