Cribbage Online

Cribbage is the classic two-player card game played on a peg board. Build a hand that counts well, score points in the play to 31, and race your pegs around the board to 121 before the computer does.

How to play Cribbage Online

• Each player is dealt six cards. Both throw two cards face down into the crib, a bonus hand that belongs to the dealer. The deal alternates every hand.
• The non-dealer cuts the deck and the top card is turned up as the starter. If it is a jack, the dealer pegs 2 points "for his heels".
• The play: starting with the non-dealer, players take turns laying one card at a time and announcing the running total, which may not pass 31. Aces count 1 and face cards count 10.
• During the play you peg 2 for making the count exactly 15, 2 for exactly 31, 2 for a pair, 6 for three of a kind, 12 for four of a kind, and 1 point per card for a run of three or more (the cards may be played in any order, such as 4, 6, 5).
• If you cannot play without going over 31 you say "Go". Your opponent keeps playing while they can, then pegs 1 for the go (or 2 for reaching 31), and the count starts again from zero. Whoever plays the very last card pegs 1.
• The show: each hand is counted together with the starter: the non-dealer first, then the dealer, then the dealer's crib. Every combination adding to 15 scores 2, every pair 2, every run 1 per card, a four-card flush in the hand 4 (5 if the starter matches) and the jack of the starter's suit 1 ("his nobs").
• The crib only scores a flush if all four crib cards and the starter share a suit.
• The first player to reach 121 wins at once, even in the middle of the play. Beating your opponent before they pass 90 is a skunk.

Controls

• Tap two cards to choose your crib discards, then press Send to crib.
• When you are the non-dealer, tap the deck or Cut the deck to turn up the starter.
• In the play, tap a card to lay it. Cards that would pass 31 are dimmed. Go points are worked out for you.
• Use Counting to switch between auto-count and counting your own hand, Scores for the hand-by-hand sheet and Speed to set how fast the computer plays. Cards can also be chosen with Tab and Enter.

Tips

• Fives are the most valuable cards in cribbage because so many cards are worth ten. Keep them, or throw them into your own crib, but think twice before giving one to your opponent's crib.
• While picking discards the game shows the average your four kept cards score over every possible starter. Compare a few choices to learn which hands are strong.
• Leading a card lower than 5 is safe: your opponent cannot make 15 with a single card.
• Avoid leaving the count at 5 or 21, where a ten-card scores 2 for your opponent.
• Counting a hand: find every fifteen first, then pairs, then runs, then flush and nobs. The breakdown after each show lists them in that order.

FAQ

How do you play cribbage?

Each player is dealt six cards and throws two into the crib, which belongs to the dealer. A starter card is cut, then players take turns laying cards and pegging points without the count passing 31. Finally each hand, and then the crib, is counted together with the starter. The first player to 121 wins.

What are the basic rules of cribbage?

Aces count 1 and face cards 10. In the play, 15 and 31 score 2, pairs score 2 and runs score 1 per card; if you cannot play under 31 you say "Go". In the show, every fifteen is 2, every pair 2, every run 1 per card, plus flushes and his nobs. A jack cut as the starter gives the dealer 2. Win before your opponent reaches 91 and it is a skunk.

How do you score a cribbage hand?

Combine your four cards with the starter. Every group that adds up to 15 scores 2, every pair 2, every run 1 per card, a flush 4 or 5 and the jack matching the starter's suit 1. After each show this cribbage game lists every combination it counted so you can check your own math.

What is the highest possible cribbage hand?

Twenty-nine: three fives and the jack of the starter's suit in your hand, with the fourth five cut as the starter. It contains eight fifteens, six pairs and his nobs.

Can I count my own hand?

Yes. Set Counting to "Count it myself" and the game asks for your total before showing the correct breakdown. You always receive the right score, so mistakes only cost you practice.

Does this version use muggins?

No. Points you miss are not taken by the computer, which keeps the game friendly while you learn to count.

Is my game saved?

Yes. The current hand and both scores are stored in your browser, so a reload picks up exactly where you left off.