29 hand – the best hand in cribbage comprised of three 5’s and a jack with a 5 in the same suit as the jack being cut.

19 (nineteen) hand – a term that indicates a player has no points in his hand because 19 is the only score that the cards can never add up to.

count - the score or value of a hand in cribbage.

crib - the four cards made up of players discards that is counted as a hand by the dealer.

cut - either the  (low) card at the beginning of the game that determines the initial dealer or the starter card after a hand is dealt.

dead hole (see stinkhole) -  the hole before (120 points) the final hole (121)

double double run – a series of cards that equals 16 points with 4 three card straights and two pairs

double pair royal – four of a kind, equals 12 points

double run – a series of cards that equals 8 points with 2 three card straights and a pair

double skunk – when a player wins by 61 to 90 points or skunks an opponent by double.

flush - four cards of the same suit worth a point each. In the crib all 5 cards must match to get points for a flush.

game hole – final hole or 121 points

game points -  points awarded when playing a match or tournament, it takes a predetermined number of games to win a match – decided by the tournament organizer.

go out – to reach the game hole and win

go (meaning can’t go) – called by a player that can’t play any more cards during the pegging process. Each go is considered a point by the opponent.

hand - the six or five cards dealt to each player before they discard to the crib.

helper card – a card turned up in the cut that adds points to a hand, thus helping

his heels (nibs) – when a jack is turned up in the cut, the dealer is awarded two points

his nobs – when a player has a jack in his hand that is the same suit as the cut, the award is one point

jack of what’s turned up – same as his nobs

last card – the one point awarded for playing the last card while in a pegging sequence up to 31

loser’s deal – in friendly play when a player loses a game the opponent offers the right to deal first in the next game.

match - winning a series of games to defeat an opponent

muggins - aggressive playing for points that your opponent did not see or count

nibs (same as heels / his heels) – when a jack is turned up in the cut, the dealer is awarded two points

nobs (same as his nobs or jack of what’s turned up) – when a player has a jack in his hand that is the same suit as the cut, the award is one point

opening lead – the first card played after the crib cards have been discarded and the cut has been made.

pair -  two cards of the same kind

pair royal – four of the same cards

peg - the marker on the board that keeps track of points.

pegging - the act of scoring points or the part of the game (before the hand) where players are laying cards down to reach 31.

pone - a short form for the opponent or opposing player to the dealer.

positional play – deciding strategically how to play depending on where your peg is on the board, how early and late it is in in the game or who has the first count and the crib for a hand.

renege - a failure to play a card during pegging if you were able to.

run - a series of 3 or more cards in rank or progression.

score - any point earned by a player.

sequence (run) – a series of 3 or more cards in rank or progression.

shuffle - a random mixing of the cards before a deal or cut.

skunk line – a line drawn on a cribbage board that is 30 points before the finish line separating the 90 and 91st holes.

starter card – the card cut from the deck after the crib cards have been discarded and before play or pegging can begin. If a jack is turned up the dealer gets two points for his heels or nibs.

stink hole – the hole before (120 points) the final hole.

straight – a series of 3 or more cards in rank or progression.

street – first through fourth legs of 30 points on the board.

triple - three cards of the same kind

triple run – a sequence in a hand that includes three runs for 9 points and three cards of the same kind for 6 points – total = 15 points (with no 15’s scored)

People always wonder about a skunk in cribbage, another unique term. In case you are wondering a skunk has an unpleasant odour and in many sports if you are skunked it means you have been smelly or bad, generally losing by a lot of points or a large distance.

In cribbage to be skunked is to be beaten by 31 to 60 points and to be double skunked is to be beaten by 61 to 90 points and to be triple skunked is to be beaten by over 91 points (rare and almost impossible).

So you do not want to be skunked in cribbage and you want to skunk you opponent. In tournament scoring it counts as an extra match and a double skunk counts as an extra two, so the benefit is obvious – one more game towards winning a set and therefore a match.

Sound impressive, doesn’t it? What is a nineteen hand in cribbage? Actually it is quite the opposite. A player is usually quite upset if he receives this hand. Nineteen is the only total that all the cards can’t add up to in cribbage.

If a player says their total is 19 then it is a miscount and they should recheck their cards. Hence the term has come to indicate in humour or disgust a score of zero. If you get no points in your hand you say “I have nineteen” because it is impossible to score that.

Many people ask what is muggins in cribbage? It is just one of many variations or styles of play, in particular playing for points.

Muggins is generally playing for points that your opponent did not see or count. It is a form of aggressive and competitive play. Some people would call it cut throat. If you miss any points in your pegging or your hand and have moved your peg the opposing player can then take the points that you missed.

The term originated from the english word that means someone that lacked good judgment, a fool or an idiot. A fitting term if you are playing an aggressive game or competition because you are foolishly giving away points – in reality double the points because any points your opponent takes you have not received.

Muggins is an optional rule for both friendly play and tournament play that must be announced at the beginning of the game or match.

The count like pegging can be a very strategic part of the game. There are specific protocols and rules for how to count your hand in cribbage.

1. the pone (opponent) is the first player to count after all cards have been played during the play or pegging.
2. order of count = pone, dealer, dealer’s crib
3. players count with the 4 cards in their hand plus the cut card
4. players must announce the total at the end and leave the cards face up for opponents to examine
5. in competitive play if muggins is in effect, the opposing player may take any points that have been missed
6. dealer then puts the cards face up on the opponent side of the board and announces score
7. opponent accepts score verbally or by mixing the cards in the deck
8. dealer counts the crib in the same method
9. starter card should remain separate from all cards during the count as it is used by both players hand and the crib
10. a player is responsible for counting their own cards – there is to be no assistance

The cards should be counted in a formal manner. Highly advanced players may just announce the total. To keep track of each area of scoring players typically announce 15 for X amount of points, x pairs for X amount of points, a run for X points, jack of suit (nob) for 1 point, flush for X points.

Sample Hand: 9S 10D JD 6C  cut = 6D

15 for 4 points = 9S + 6C and 9S + 6D , pair for 2 points = 6C + 6D, run for 3 points = 9S + 10D + JD  and a jack of suit for 1 point JD is same suite as cut 6D = 10 points

It gets easier after you have counted a few hands. It is suggested to play a few games with someone that has played before instead of having two beginners try and learn it alone.

After the cards have been dealt and players have discarded to create a crib the cut is taken. This part of the game is the play and there are very specific rules for how to peg in cribbage. Pegging is the process during this play.

Players must score their own points using the pegs. There are two pegs for each player. Most boards have a start line with a place for 2 pegs. Some boards have 3 rows and others have two. Some boards go to 60 (to be played twice) while others go to 120 with a finish equaling 121, the target or winning score.

Players must move their own peg by moving the peg that is behind the initial peg by the amount that they have achieved. Points must be taken as they are played. If the opposing player has played it is the opponents job to score his points before he plays the next hand or he will forfeit his points.

The object of the play is to score points with:

• a pair – 2 points
• sequence (run of 3 or more points in any order) – point per card
• fifteen -  2 points
• last card – 1 point
• 31 points – 2 points
• Go (card played if the other player can’t play to reach 31) – 1 point

1. Play starts immediately after the deck has been cut. If the cut is a jack the dealer receives 2 points (referenced as his heels).
2. the pone (opponent) then leads the first card and announces the value
3. the dealer responds with a card trying to make points
4. the play alternates until a player is unable to play a card without going over 31
5. if a player can’t play he announces GO
6. the opposing player takes a point for every card played as a go until they can’t play without going over 31
7. The play starts again at 0 until all cards are played

Rules:

1. players should place their cards one on top of the other face up on the table on their side of the cribbage board
2. once the player is not touching the card on the table it is considered played
3. if two cards are accidentally played the card announced is to be used
4. players must move their own peg (score their own points)
5. players should not touch the opponents peg
6. in non-friendly play if a player reneges (does not play when they could have) they lose 2 points for each card that could have been laid down.
7. sequences (runs) do not count if the count is over. Each time 31 is reached the score is “reset”
8. if a player announces an incorrect amount the opposing player may correct it before they play a card
9. players must always announce the total
10. if a player pegs out for the game but is incorrect they receive a penalty of moving back to where their peg was and lose 15 points on top
11. if a player pegs incorrectly, they move back to the right spot and the opponent takes the difference they pegged as a penalty
12. if a player moves the other players peg 2 points are awarded to the opponent
13. if the player places his peg in the other players track it should be returned to the right track with no penalty
14. if a player knocks a front peg out of play – to keep it simple it should be agreed by both parties where the peg goes.

Cribbage like many games has quirky little rules that make it unique. Learning the rules for how to deal in cribbage is one of those things. Whether playing a casual friendly game or cut throat competition style there are some basic cribbage rules that should be followed to maintain the tradition of the game.

choosing the dealer

1. each player should shuffle the deck at least once before choosing a dealer
2. players must cut the deck  at least four cards from the top or bottom (showing the bottom card of the cut) – the lowest card wins, aces low
3. if more than one card is exposed during cut another cut, without shuffle, is taken
4. if both players cut the same card, start again until a winner is determined

preparing the cards

1. dealer shuffles the cards at least 3 times and has the right to last shuffle
2. opponent (pone) has the right to shuffle once
3. a cut is required before each deal – the pone cuts the deck and the dealer takes the top card of the bottom portion.The pone returns the portion of the deck to the pack and the dealer places the card face up on the top of the full deck.
4. deck must be kept full (together at all times)

dealing the cards

1. dealer gives 6 cards to each player (5 cards for 4 players or 5 cards plus one in crib for 3 players)
2. dealer must deal one card at a time from the top of the deck
3. cards should not be picked up until all cards are dealt
4. pone should not touch cards except to stop them from falling of the table
5. if a card is exposed during deal (or upside down in the deck) a re-deal may be called by the opponent
6. if the cut is forgotten, the pone may remind the dealer and cards must be reshuffled and re-dealt. If the pone has already picked up the cards this right is forfeit.

the discard

1. players place 2 cards face down in the crib (which should be located on the dealer side of the board and/or deck)
2. for 3  & 4 handed crib each player discards 1 card
3. the crib may not be exposed until the pegging is completed and both hands are counted – penalty is two points

the starter card

1. cut should not be made until both players have discarded to the crib
2. pone cuts the deck at least four cards from the top and bottom of the deck
3. dealer turns the top card of the bottom section face up on the top of the deck
4. if the dealer exposes more the one card the correct top card shall become the starter card – both players have a right to see the exposed cards
5. if the dealer places the card in his hand a two point penalty is awarded and the pone chooses two cards from the dealers hand, looks at both and chooses one as the starter card, returning the other to the dealer
6. pone shall not look at any card in the deck – penalty is two points
7. if the starter card is a jack (heels), the dealer is awarded two points
8. dealer may peg out and win the game with heels
9. if the dealer plays a card before taking his heels, he forfeits the points

basic rules of misdeal

Competition has specific rules to follow if too many or too few cards are played. The dealer will get penalized in these circumstances often forfeiting points in the hand and/or crib. In friendly play the simple rule of thumb is:

1. if a player places too many cards in the crib before the other player has discarded he may withdraw the cards.
2. if too many cards have been played the cards should be re-dealt once the opposing player has a chance to confirm
3. if too few cards have been played a card should be added from the top of the deck

general rules

1. the pone can only touch the deck for the cut after shuffle and the cut
2. deals are rotated between players
3. once the cut is complete, the play begins with the pone laying down first card

There are many variations on how to play cribbage with slight adjustments if  played with 3 or 4 players. We will concentrate on the most common 2 player cribbage rules for friendly play.

Object - to be the first player to score 121 points

Tools – deck of 52 cards (jokers removed), board with pegs (or pen & paper)

All suits are considered equal value. The A-9 count as 1 to 9 and cards above 10 count as 10. Ace is low only. There are three main segments of play – dealing, playing (pegging), counting or showing (hand & crib). These are played in sequence until the first player reaches 121.

Points awarded:

• two of a kind (pairs), three of a kind, four of a kind
• sequences
• flush (count only, not scored in the play)
• total card value reaching fifteen
• jack of suit

steps of cribbage

the deal

1. players cut deck,  lowest card wins deal
2. dealer shuffles cards
3. opponent (or pone) cuts the deck
4. dealer gives 6 cards to each player
5. place deck face down
6. players discard 2 cards face down into crib (for dealer)
7. pone cuts deck, dealer places the card on top – this is called the cut (if a jack is turned up the dealer receives 2 points)

the play

Players are looking to score points by matching cards, totaling 15, creating sequences, reaching 31 or playing the last card before reaching 31

1. pone plays first card, face up and declares the value
2. dealer plays card and declares value of total
3. sequence continues until a player can’t go to total under 31
4. sequence starts again with the opposite player to the player that played last laying down a card first
5. when all cards have been played the count begins

the count

Points are scored by using the cut and the 4 cards in your hand. Players are looking for matching cards, fifteens, runs, flushes & jack of what’s turned up (in the cut). Flushes and jacks have some unique rules for awarding points.

1. pone always counts cards first
2. dealer counts hand
3. dealer counts crib

Deal rotates between player and the above sequence is played until the first player reaches 121 (or more) points.

People often ask what is cribbage? Sometimes they mistaken it for a board game because of the wooden board it is related to. The board is simply for keeping score. Cribbage is actually a card game.

The game can be played with 2-4 players. The 2 and 4 player games are the most popular. Two player cribbage is the most common and by far the best game to play. It is thought to have developed from a game called Noddy. The original game is often accredited to Sir John Suckling in the early 1600’s.

object of cribbage

The goal of the game is to reach 121 points with combination of points acquired from pegging and points in a hand and crib . The game has evolved, originally a betting game with variations in the number of cards being dealt it has evolved into a game with modern day rules and extra cards. Competitions and friendly games are both enjoyable.

stages of play in cribbage

The Deal has specific protocol that involves a cut to choose the dealer, the cutting of the cards before deal and discarding cards into a crib (for the dealer to score later).The deal rotates between players.

The Cut is the initial play after the dealer has shuffled and dealt the cards. If this card is a jack, 2 points is awarded to the dealer.

The Play, also referred to as pegging, is when the players play cards in sequence starting with the non-dealer to total 31 or less. This continues until all cards are played.

The Show is when each play starting with the non-dealer gets to show their cards and total the points. The highest possible point score is 29 and it is impossible to score 19.

The Crib is the group of 4 cards that players have discarded in a crib, hence the name cribbage. The crib is reserved for the dealer and scored just like the show.

The game continues until a player pegs out by reaching 121 points or more.