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Cribbage is an old and fun card game from England. It was made around 400 years ago by Sir John Suckling, who was a poet. But what makes Cribbage different is its scoring board. Instead of pen and paper, players use a cribbage board to count points, which makes the game quick and exciting.
What is Cribbage?
Cribbage is a game of 2 or 3 players. If 4 people are playing, then they can form 2 teams. The goal of the game is simple – to reach 121 points (or 61 points) by making card combinations.
Game Setup
Cribbage Board
There are 4 rows in the cribbage board and each row has 30 holes. Every player has 2 pegs (of the same color) for his side. Whenever a player makes points, he moves a peg. One hole = 1 point.
- Once Around = 61 points
- Twice Around = 121 points
How to play Cribbage?
Step 1: Dealing Cards
Each player is given 6 cards from the shuffled cards. The player who draws the lowest card will deal first. The dealer changes after every hand.
Step 2: Making the Crib
Each player keeps 2 of his 6 cards on the side, which makes “the crib.” The crib is only for the dealer and is scored at the end of the game.
Step 3: Starter Card
After the crib, the non-dealer cuts the deck, and the top card is flipped. This card becomes the “starter card”. If it is a Jack, the dealer scores 2 points (“His Heels”).
Playing the Game
Players play one card each in alternate turns. Each time a card is played, the total value of the cards has to be stated:
- Number cards = their face value
- J, Q, K = 10 points
The total can never be more than 31. If someone does not have any valid cards, he says “Go”. The opponent scores 1 point. If someone makes exact 31, he gets 2 points.
Pegging Points (Scoring in the middle of the game)
When you play cards, you can earn points from these combinations:
- Fifteen (cards total 15) = 2 points
- Pair = 2 points
- Three of a kind = 6 points
- Four of a kind = 12 points
- Run of 3 = 3 points
- Run of 4 = 4 points
- Run of 5 = 5 points
The order of the cards is important for every combination.
Final Scoring: Hands Counting
After play, 3 hands are scored:
- Non-dealer’s hand
- Dealer’s hand
- Crib
Starter card is also added in every hand (total 5 cards are counted):
- Combo of 15 = 2 points
- Pairs = 2 points
- Three of a kind = 6 points
- Runs (3 or more) = 1 point per card
- Flush (same suit 4 cards) = 4 points
- Flush with starter (same suit 5 cards) = 5 point
- His Nobs (Jack same suit as starter) = 1 point
When does the game end?
The target of the game is 121 or 61 points. Whoever reaches it first, wins. If the non-dealer wins first, the dealer cannot count his hand.
- If a player does not make even half points, he is said to be “lurched” and the winner scores 2 games.
- If a player does not make even 3/4 points, he is a “skunk” – double win.
- If a player does not make even half points, he is a “double skunk” – quadruple win.
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