Cribbage - Rules, Scoring and History

Rules, Scoring & History — Made Simple

Cribbage is a classic card game that blends strategy, luck, and tradition. Whether you’re brand new or brushing up on scoring, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know — step by step.

Grab a deck, a cribbage board, and let’s get started.

What Is Cribbage?

Cribbage is a card game played with a standard deck and a peg board used for scoring. Players earn points by forming combinations during play and when counting their hands.

Players: 2–3 (4 can play in teams)
Goal: Be the first to reach 121 points

What makes cribbage special is its pace — every hand matters, and the scoring board lets you see the game unfold.

A Short History of Cribbage

Cribbage dates back to the early 1600s and is credited to English poet Sir John Suckling, who adapted it from an older game called Noddy. Its compact board made it popular among sailors, settlers, and families alike.

Today, cribbage remains one of the only card games traditionally played with a dedicated scoring board — a design that has stood the test of time.

What You Need to Play

• A standard 52-card deck
• A cribbage board
• 2 pegs per player
• 2–3 players

How to Play Cribbage

1. Setup

• Each player places two pegs at the starting hole
• Choose a dealer
• Dealer shuffles the deck

2. Dealing & The Crib

• 2 Players: Deal 6 cards each → discard 2 to the crib
• 3 Players: Deal 5 cards each → discard 1 to the crib

The crib belongs to the dealer and is scored at the end of the round.

3. The Cut & Starter Card

The non-dealer cuts the deck. The dealer reveals the top card (the starter).

• If the starter is a Jack, the dealer scores 2 points immediately
  (This is called “His Heels”)

The Play (Pegging Phase)

Players take turns laying down one card at a time, adding to a running total without exceeding 31.

Card Values

• Aces = 1
• Face cards = 10
• Number cards = face value

Pegging Scoring

• 15 = 2 points
• 31 = 2 points
• Pair = 2 points
• Three of a kind = 6 points
• Four of a kind = 12 points
• Run (3+ cards) = 1 point per card
• Last card played = 1 point
• When no one can play without exceeding 31, the count resets.

Pegging Example

Cards played: 7 → 8

Total = 15 → 2 points

Cards played: 5 → 5 → 5

Three of a kind → 6 points

Scoring the Hands

After pegging:

1. Non-dealer scores their hand
2. Dealer scores their hand
3. Dealer scores the crib

Each hand is scored using your 4 cards plus the starter card.

Hand Scoring Rules

15s: Any combination totaling 15 = 2 points

Pairs: 2 points per pair

Runs: 1 point per card

Flush:

Hand = 4 points

Crib = 5 points only if starter matches

His Nobs:

1 point for a Jack matching the starter’s suit

Hand Scoring Examples

Example: Big Scoring Hand

Hand: 5♣ 5♦ 6♠ 7♠
Starter: 5♥

• Three 5s = 6 points
• Three runs of 5-6-7 = 9 points
• One 15 (5+5+5) = 2 points

Total: 17 points

Example: Double Run

Hand: 3♠ 4♠ 5♦ 5♣
Starter: 6♥

• Two runs of 3-4-5-6 = 8 points
• Pair = 2 points
• Two 15s = 4 points

Total: 14 points

How to Win

• Peg forward as you score, leapfrogging your pegs
• Exact count is not required
• First player to reach or pass 121 points wins immediately

Why Cribbage Is Still Loved Today

Cribbage rewards thoughtful play, quick math, and smart discards. Every round offers choices that can change the outcome — and the board keeps the tension visible until the final peg.

Paired with a handcrafted board, it’s a game meant to slow things down and bring people together.

Learn. Play. Pass It On.

At Snake River Creations, we believe games should be built to last — just like the memories made around them.

👉 Explore Our Handcrafted Cribbage Boards