Cribbage is more than just a card game; it’s a battle of wits, a test of strategy, and a delightful way to spend an evening with friends or family. At its heart, cribbage scoring can seem a bit mysterious to newcomers, but once you understand the basics, you’ll find it’s the engine that drives the excitement and challenge of the game. Knowing how to score in cribbage is essential to playing well and, more importantly, enjoying every moment of this classic pastime.
Why Cribbage Scoring Matters
Understanding cribbage scoring is not just about adding up numbers; it’s about strategy. It influences every decision you make, from discarding cards to pegging during play. Knowing how points are awarded helps you:
- Make Smart Discards: You’ll learn to recognize potential scoring combinations and strategically discard cards to either maximize your own hand or minimize your opponent’s crib.
- Plan Your Pegging Plays: Understanding pegging scores allows you to play cards that not only advance your count but also potentially block your opponent or earn bonus points.
- Recognize High-Scoring Hands: You’ll quickly spot opportunities for big points, whether it’s in your hand, the crib, or during pegging.
- Win More Games: Ultimately, a solid grasp of cribbage scoring is your key to accumulating points effectively and reaching that winning 121 mark before your opponent.
Let’s break down the different ways to score in cribbage, making it easy to understand and remember.
Core Cribbage Scoring Combinations
These are the foundational scoring elements you’ll encounter in every game of cribbage. They form the basis of hand counting and crib scoring.
Fifteens
Fifteens are a cornerstone of cribbage scoring. Any combination of cards that adds up to exactly 15 points scores you 2 points. Face cards (Kings, Queens, Jacks) count as 10 points, Aces count as 1 point, and number cards are worth their face value.
- Example: A 9 and a 6. (9 + 6 = 15) – 2 points
- Example: A Jack and a 5. (10 + 5 = 15) – 2 points
- Example: A 7, an 8, and any 10-value card. (7 + 8 = 15) – 2 points
You can have multiple fifteens in a single hand. For each unique combination that totals 15, you score 2 points.
Pairs
Pairs are straightforward. If you have two cards of the same rank, you score 2 points.
- Example: Two 7s – 2 points
- Example: Two Kings – 2 points
If you have three of a kind, it’s considered three pairs (think of it as pair 1 & 2, pair 1 & 3, pair 2 & 3), scoring 6 points. Four of a kind is six pairs (pairs 1 & 2, 1 & 3, 1 & 4, 2 & 3, 2 & 4, 3 & 4), scoring a substantial 12 points!
Runs
Runs are sequences of three or more cards in rank order, regardless of suit. The order of cards in your hand doesn’t matter; it’s about whether you can arrange them in a sequence.
- Example: 4, 5, 6 – 3 points (Run of three)
- Example: 9, 10, Jack, Queen – 4 points (Run of four)
- Example: Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5 – 5 points (Run of five)
Runs can be tricky to spot at first glance, especially when cards are not arranged sequentially in your hand. Look for consecutive ranks. Aces can be low (A-2-3) but not high in runs (Queen-King-Ace is not a run).
Three and Four of a Kind
As mentioned earlier in the Pairs section, having multiples of the same card rank gives you bonus points:
- Three of a Kind: 6 points (Three pairs)
- Four of a Kind: 12 points (Six pairs)
These are rarer but highly rewarding scoring combinations in cribbage.
Double and Triple Runs
Things get interesting with double and triple runs. These occur when you have multiple runs within the same hand due to duplicate card ranks.
- Double Run of Three: This happens when you have three cards in sequence, and one of those ranks is duplicated. For example: 4, 5, 5, 6. This is actually two runs of three (4-5-6 and 4-5-6), scoring 8 points.
- Double Run of Four: Similar to a double run of three, but with four cards in sequence and a duplicate rank. For example: 7, 7, 8, 9, 10. This is two runs of four (7-8-9-10 and 7-8-9-10), scoring 10 points.
- Triple Run of Three: This is less common, but imagine having three of one rank within a run. For Example: 5, 5, 5, 6, 7. This creates three runs of three (5-6-7, 5-6-7, 5-6-7) scoring 9 points.
Double and triple runs can significantly boost your hand score, so keep an eye out for these combinations!
Special Scoring Opportunities
Beyond the basic combinations, cribbage has some unique scoring opportunities that add to its charm.
Nobs
“Nobs” is a special point awarded when you have the Jack of the same suit as the starter card (the card cut and placed face-up at the beginning of the hand counting).
- Example: You hold the Jack of Hearts, and the starter card is a Heart. – 1 point (for “Nobs”)
Nobs is a single point, but it’s a valuable point, especially in close games. Always check for Nobs when counting your hand!
Nibs
“Nibs” is similar to Nobs, but it applies specifically to the dealer. If the starter card is a Jack, the dealer immediately scores 2 points before any hand counting even begins. This is “Nibs” or “Heels.”
- Example: The starter card flipped up is the Jack of Spades. The dealer scores 2 points immediately.
Nibs is a nice little bonus for the dealer and can provide a quick lead.
The Crib: The Dealer’s Advantage
The crib is a unique feature of cribbage and a significant scoring opportunity for the dealer. Before the play phase, each player discards two cards to form the crib. This crib belongs to the dealer, and they score points from it after both players have counted their hands. The starter card counts as part of the crib hand as well.
The crib is scored exactly like a regular hand, using all the same scoring combinations: fifteens, pairs, runs, and potentially Nobs (if the crib contains a Jack of the starter card suit).
As the dealer, you want to try and create a strong crib hand while also keeping a good hand for yourself. As the non-dealer, you want to discard cards that will minimize the dealer’s crib score while maximizing your own hand potential. This discard strategy is a crucial part of cribbage skill.
Pegging: Scoring During Play
Pegging is the dynamic scoring that happens during the play of cards. Players take turns playing cards, trying to reach a cumulative count of 31 without going over. Pegging adds a layer of strategy and quick thinking to the game.
Here’s how pegging points are awarded:
- Fifteen: If you play a card that makes the running total 15, you score 2 points.
- Pair: If you play a card of the same rank as the previous card played, you score 2 points for a pair. A third card of the same rank (three of a kind) scores 6 points total (cumulative). A fourth card (four of a kind) scores an additional 12 points (cumulative).
- Run: If your card makes a run of three or more cards in sequence with the previously played cards (again, suits don’t matter), you score points equal to the length of the run (3 points for a run of three, 4 points for a run of four, etc.).
- Thirty-one: If you play a card that makes the running total exactly 31, you score 2 points.
- Go: If you cannot play a card without exceeding 31, you say “Go.” Your opponent then scores 1 point for “Go” (sometimes called “the go”). If your opponent also cannot play, and you have cards remaining, you lead again and continue pegging from zero or the last count below 31. If you are able to reach 31 after your opponent says “Go,” you still get 2 points for 31.
Pegging is fast-paced and requires you to constantly calculate card values and potential sequences. Paying attention to the cards played and the running count is key to maximizing your pegging score.
Aiming for 121: Winning the Game
The ultimate objective in cribbage is to be the first player to reach 121 points. Points are tracked on a cribbage board using pegs. You move your pegs forward as you score points in your hand, the crib (for the dealer), and during pegging.
