Play Cribbage Online
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Tap or drag a card to play it. Keyboard: arrows and Enter to play, U undo, H hint, N new game, F full screen.
Cribbage is a classic two-player game scored by pegging points on a board. Count fifteens, pairs, runs and flushes in your hand and the crib, and race your opponent to 121 points. Our version shows exactly how every hand is scored, so it is a great way to learn.
- Players
- You vs 1 computer player
- Cards
- Standard 52 cards
- Game length
- 15–25 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
How to play Cribbage
- Each player gets six cards and discards two face down to the crib, which belongs to the dealer.
- A starter card is cut from the deck. If it is a jack, the dealer pegs 2 points.
- In the play, players take turns laying cards and announcing the running total, which may not go over 31. Points are scored for reaching 15 or 31, pairs and runs.
- After the play, each hand is counted with the starter: fifteens (2 points each), pairs, runs, flushes and his nobs (the jack of the starter's suit).
- The dealer then counts the crib. The first player to reach 121 points wins.
How to win at Cribbage: strategy and tips
Cribbage rewards good choices more than lucky cards. Players who choose their discards well and avoid giving away points in the play win far more games, even with ordinary hands.
Choose your discards with the crib in mind
You keep four of your six cards. When it is your crib, you can put good cards into it, such as pairs, fives and cards close together, because those points come back to you. When it is your opponent's crib, throw two cards that are far apart in rank, like a king and a two, and never a five.
Lead a safe first card
A card of four or lower is a strong opening lead, because your opponent cannot make 15 with a single card. Leading a five or a ten-card invites an easy 15 for two points.
Set traps and avoid them
Playing a card that your opponent can pair gives them two points. But if you hold another card of that rank, you can make three of a kind for six. When you play, think about the card they would like to play next. Leave counts that are awkward for them, such as a total they cannot turn into 15 or 31.
Know when to race and when to defend
Near the end of a game every peg counts. If you are well ahead, play safe and deny your opponent points. If you are behind, keep cards that give you chances for big hands and runs, even at some risk.
Count the extras
The jack of the same suit as the starter card in your hand is worth one point ("nobs"). The dealer scores two when the starter itself is a jack. The non-dealer counts the hand first, which can decide a close finish.
Mistakes to avoid
- Throwing a five, or two cards that make 15, into your opponent's crib.
- Playing a card that lets your opponent make 31 or a run on the next card.
- Keeping a pretty pair for your hand when splitting it would score more overall.
Cribbage questions
What is the highest possible cribbage hand?
The highest hand is 29 points: three fives and the jack of the fourth suit, with the five of that same suit as the starter card.
Do I need a cribbage board to play online?
No. The game keeps score for you on a virtual board and explains every point.
