what is cribbage

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.