Cribbage
Six-card cribbage for two, once round the board to 121. Throw two cards to the crib, peg points in the play up to 31, then count your hand with the starter: fifteens, pairs, runs, flushes and his nob. The game counts for you with every sum shown, or you can count your own hands, with muggins if you dare.
Two players. A game takes 10 to 20 minutes. More card games: Hearts, Spades, Gin Rummy and Euchre are in Yuzool's Card Games too.
How to play Cribbage
- The deal: six cards each. Each player throws two cards face down into the crib, an extra hand that belongs to the dealer.
- The starter: a card is cut and turned up. If it is a Jack the dealer pegs 2 ("two for his heels").
- The play: starting with the non-dealer, lay cards in turn and call the running total, which can't go over 31. Peg for 15, 31, pairs and runs as they happen. If you can't play you say "go" and the other player pegs 1.
- The show: the non-dealer counts their hand with the starter, then the dealer counts their hand, then the crib.
- Winning: the first to peg 121 wins at once, even in the middle of a hand.
Tap a card to play it, or drag it to the table. Cards you can play are raised; tap a dimmed card to see why it can't be played. Undo takes back your last play until the next player has played. The full rules, with worked examples, are in How to play Cribbage.
What scores
| Combination | Points |
|---|---|
| Cards adding up to 15 (each different combination) | 2 |
| A pair | 2 |
| Three of a kind (a pair royal) | 6 |
| Four of a kind | 12 |
| A run of three or more | 1 a card |
| Four cards of your hand in one suit (five with the starter) | 4 (5) |
| The Jack of the starter's suit ("one for his nob") | 1 |
| In the play: reaching 31 | 2 |
| In the play: a go, or the last card | 1 |
Court cards count 10, aces 1. In the crib a flush only counts if all five cards match.
Tips
- Fives are gold. Sixteen cards in the pack count ten, so a five makes fifteen more often than any other card. Keep them, or give them to your own crib.
- Your crib or theirs? Throw good pairs and fives to your own crib; throw wide, unhelpful cards (a King and a nine) to the other player's.
- Lead a four or lower: the other player can't make fifteen from it.
- Don't leave 21 in the play: any ten-card makes 31 for two.
Questions
Is Cribbage free to play here?
Yes. Cribbage against the Easy and Medium players, the peg board, counting your own hands and muggins are free, with no ads and no sign-up. Card Games Pro, a one-time $1.99 upgrade for all five games, adds the Hard player, full statistics, the short game to 61 and extra card backs and tables.
Does it count my hand for me?
By default, yes: each fifteen, pair and run is listed with its points. Turn on "Count my hands myself" in Options to enter your own total; with muggins on as well, any points you miss go to the other player.
Which rules are these?
Standard six-card cribbage for two, to 121, as played in Britain and North America. A flush in the crib needs all five cards. Muggins is off unless you turn it on.
What is a skunk?
Winning before the other player has reached 91. Some players count it as two games; here it is noted in your statistics.