How to : How to Play Cribbage for Beginners

Play a card face-up and announce the point value. If you’re the pone player, take the first turn of the game. Choose one of the cards from your hand and set it down in front of you. Clearly state the value of the card to start the “count” for the round.^[6]

Take turns playing cards and adding to the total point value. After playing a card, add its value to the running total from the rest of the cards played. Keep your cards in a separate pile from the other player so they don’t get mixed up. Slightly overlap your cards so you can see what you’ve already played. Continue alternating turns for the rest of the round.^[7]

Say “go” instead of playing a card if it puts the total over 31. If you’re not able to play a card without going over the limit of 31 points, tell the other player “go” to signal you’re out for the current count. If they still have cards they can legally play, they must play as many of the cards as they can. If you played the last card closest to 31, then score 1 point.^[8]

Earn points by making card combos. Watch what cards your opponent plays and pay attention to the count to get extra “pegging” points. Whenever you score points, take the peg of your color that’s furthest back and move it ahead of the one that’s in front. That way, players can see the last amount that you scored.^[9]

Spread your hand out in front of you face-up. If you flipped any cards face-down during the round, flip them face-up again so the other player can see them. Make sure the value and suit are visible for each card so the other player can ensure that you’re counting all of your points correctly.^[10]

Earn points for card combos made with your hand and the start card. Count the points for the pone player first. Start by looking for all the combinations of cards that total 15 before looking for pairs and runs of 3 or more sequential cards. Finally, check if all 4 cards in your hand are of the same suit to earn points for a flush. The point values for each combo are:^[11]

Count the points in your hand and crib if you’re the dealer. After you finish counting the points in your regular hand, set them aside and flip the cards in your crib face-up. Count the points you earned from your crib, using the start card to make combos if you’re able to. Move your peg forward on the track to mark how many points you earned.^[12]

Switch dealers after each round. Collect all the cards and give them to the pone player so they become the new dealer. This round, they’ll have the crib so each player earns points from the same number of hands.^[13]

Shuffle and deal out new hands to start the next round. Put all the cards face-down and shuffle them a few times to ensure they’re thoroughly mixed. Deal out another hand of 6 cards and select which ones you want to add to the crib.^[14]

Win the game if you reach or go over 121 points. Keep playing rounds and alternating dealers until someone crosses the 121 mark on their track. You don’t have to land on 121 points exactly, so it’s okay if you score more points than you need. Whether you scored the points from pegging or by counting your hand at the end of the round, you win as soon as you cross the finish line.^[15]

Score points your opponent missed with the “muggins” rule. If your opponent ever forgets to count any points in their hand or while they’re pegging, announce “muggins” out loud. Note how many points the other player missed and move ahead that many points on your track so you can get ahead.^[16]

Start a game with 3 people by dealing 5 cards per hand and 1 to the crib. Use a cribbage board that has 3 tracks so you can each play. Instead of 6 cards, deal out 5 cards to each player. After dealing out the last card to their hand, the dealer adds the top card of the deck to their crib. Each player only has to discard 1 card from their hand.^[17]

Play with 4 players by splitting into teams of two. Sit across from your teammate and use the same pegs as them. Deal out 5 cards to each player so each person only needs to discard 1 to the crib. Whenever either teammate earns points, move the pegs on their track forward.^[18]

Add sequential cards to your crib if you’re the dealer. Since the crib is an extra chance for you to earn points as the dealer, set yourself up to earn as many points as you can. Since cards that are in sequential order have the best opportunity of forming a run, try to keep them together in your crib. Just avoid breaking up a high-scoring hand if you already have one.^[19]

Lead with a 4 as the first card if you’re able to. Try to avoid starting the count with a 5 or higher since the other player could easily play 1 more card to make it a total of 15. Instead, stick with a lower card to open up the round so your opponent is less likely to earn points from pegging.^[20]

Play your high-value cards earlier in the round. It’s tougher to play higher-valued cards later in the game since you can’t go over 31, so saving them may give your opponent extra points from a “go.” After the lead card, try to ditch your higher cards right away so you don’t get stuck with them at the end of the round.^[21]

Focus on earning points if you have the lead. If you’ve got a pretty substantial lead over your opponent, don’t worry about what cards you put in their crib if it helps you score more points. That way, you can keep getting ahead on the track even if it gives your opponent an extra point or two.^[22]