Two players race their pegs to 121 points. Each hand has three parts: the discard,
the play (pegging), and the show. The dealer alternates every hand.
The Discard
You're dealt 6 cards and must put 2 into the crib — an extra hand
that scores for the dealer. Then a starter card is cut. If it's a Jack, the dealer pegs 2
("his heels").
The Play (Pegging)
Starting with the non-dealer, take turns laying cards face up, adding their values to a running
count that must not pass 31 (Ace = 1, face cards = 10). Peg points as you play:
Making the count exactly 15 or 31: 2 points
Pair of the previous card: 2 (three of a kind 6, four 12)
Run of 3 or more, in any order: 1 per card
If your opponent can't play they say "go" — you keep playing, and peg 1 for the last
card (the count then resets to zero).
The Show
Hands are counted with the starter as a fifth card — non-dealer first, then dealer, then the crib
(dealer's). Score fifteens (2 each), pairs, runs, flushes, and "his nob" (Jack matching the starter's
suit, 1 point). Counting is automatic here — no muggins!
First peg to 121 wins immediately, even mid-count. Lose without reaching 91 and you've been
skunked!
About Cribbage
Cribbage is the great two-player pub card game: discard to the crib, peg the count to 31, then tot up fifteens, pairs, runs and flushes as your pegs race along the board to 121. Play free in your browser against a computer opponent that discards and pegs properly — or play Cribbage online against a friend. More free card games.
