Cribbage is a strategic, social card game for two, three, or four players.
Be the first player to peg out to win the game!
Find the video tutorial and written explanation for how to play two player cribbage, followed by three player cribbage, below.
Two Player Cribbage Tutorial
Needed
52 card deck; cribbage board; two players
Deal
Each player is dealt six cards.
Objective
Be the first player to peg out by scoring points through pegging and card combinations.
Crib
The crib is created by each player discarding two cards from their hand dealt into the crib.
Deck Cut
The non-dealer will cut the deck, and the dealer will flip up the top card of the cut deck. This card will be used to form card combinations in the hand counting phase.
Pegging Play
Players take turns playing one card from his/her hand and adding the card value to a running total. The running total cannot exceed 31 and will restart at zero when needed. Face cards are counted as ten.
Players are awarded points for the following actions.
Landing on 15 or 31 = 2 points
A pair of cards played = 2 points
3 cards paired in a row = 6 points
4 cards paired in a row = 12 points
A run within the same 31 count = # of cards in the run
When a player cannot play without exceeding 31, he/she states “Go.” The opposing player plays any cards he/she can without exceeding 31 and then pegs one for the Go unless the player plays a card to land on 31, then he/she will peg two.
The player who plays the last card will peg one unless the last card played makes 31, then he/she will peg two.
Hand Counting
Each player will count points for the card combinations in his/her hand. The non-dealer is first to count. Points are scored from the following combinations.
Cards combining to equal 15 = 2 points each
Pairs; 3 of a kind; 4 of a kind = 2 points each; 6 points; 12 points
Run of 3; 4; or 5 = 3 points; 4 points; or 5 points
Flush (all the same suit) 4 card; 5 card = 4 points; 5 points
Nobs (a Jack in your hand is the same suit as the flipped up card) = 1 point
Crib Counting
The dealer of the hand gets to count the points in the crib. The crib points are the same as the hand points.
Rule
The ace is always low and has a value of one. If a Jack is flipped up on the cut, the player who flipped it is awarded two points.
Three Player Cribbage Tutorial
Needed
52 card deck; cribbage board; three players
Deal
Each player is dealt five cards. One card is dealt into the crib.
Objective
Be the first player to peg out by scoring points through pegging and card combinations.
Crib
The crib is created by each player discarding one card from their hand dealt into the crib.
Deck Cut
The player left of the dealer will cut the deck, and the dealer will flip up the top card of the cut deck. This card will be used to form card combinations in the hand counting phase.
Pegging Play
Players take turns playing one card from his/her hand and adding the card value to a running total. The running total cannot exceed 31 and will restart at zero when needed. Face cards are counted as ten.
Players are awarded points for the following actions.
Landing on 15 or 31 = 2 points
A pair of cards played = 2 points
3 cards paired in a row = 6 points
4 cards paired in a row = 12 points
A run within the same 31 count = # of cards in the run
When a player cannot play without exceeding 31, he/she states “Go.” The next player plays any cards he/she can without exceeding 31 or states "Go.” If "Go" is stated then the third player plays any cards he/she can without exceeding 31 and pegs one for the Go, unless the player plays a card to land on 31, then he/she will peg two.
The player who plays the last card will peg one unless the last card played makes 31, then he/she will peg two.
Hand Counting
Each player will count points for the card combinations in his/her hand. The player left of the dealer is first to count. Points are scored from the following combinations.
Cards combining to equal 15 = 2 points each
Pairs; 3 of a kind; 4 of a kind = 2 points each; 6 points; 12 points
Run of 3; 4; or 5 = 3 points; 4 points; or 5 points
Flush (all the same suit) 4 card; 5 card = 4 points; 5 points
Nobs (a Jack in your hand is the same suit as the flipped up card) = 1 point
Crib Counting
The dealer of the hand gets to count the points in the crib. The crib points are the same as the hand points.
Rule
The ace is always low and has a value of one. If a Jack is flipped up on the cut, the player who flipped it is awarded two points.