Back

How to Play

Cribbage

2-6 players 30-30 min 7.1 Board Game Geek Rating

Players compete to reach 121 points in this 17th-century card game using a specialized scoring board with pegs. Each round involves discarding cards to a "crib," then alternately playing cards to score points through specific totals, sets, and sequences. After hand play concludes, players score remaining card combinations, with the dealer gaining bonus points from the crib pile.

Published 1630

Cribbage

Get Ready

Setup the game with these step-by-step instructions before diving into your turn.

1
Determine player count
Game accommodates 2 to 4 players, with different dealing rules for each
2
Deal cards for two players
Dealer gives 6 cards to each player
3
Deal cards for three players
Dealer gives 5 cards to each player plus one card directly to the Crib
4
Deal cards for four players
Dealer gives 5 cards to each player (may play individually or as two teams with partners sitting opposite)
5
Place the Crib
All discarded cards go face down near the dealer; the Crib belongs to the dealer for later scoring
6
Position the deck
Place remaining cards face down next to the board
7
Cut for the Starter
Player to dealer's left cuts the deck; dealer turns up top card of lower portion and places it face up on the deck
8
Score His Heels
If the Starter is a Jack, dealer immediately scores 2 points (must claim before playing a card)
9
Know card values
Face cards equal 10 points; Aces equal 1 point; all others equal their face value

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

1
Play a card
Place one card face up in front of you and announce its point value
2
Announce running total
Each subsequent player adds their card's value to the running total
3
Stay under 31
The running total must never exceed 31 points
4
Say "Go" when stuck
If you cannot play without exceeding 31, announce "Go" instead of playing
5
Continue after "Go"
Other players keep playing cards if able until 31 is reached or all say "Go"
6
Score for reaching 15
Earn 2 points when the running total equals exactly 15
7
Score for pairs
Earn 2 points for matching the rank of the last card played
8
Score for three of a kind
Earn 6 points for playing a third card of the same rank
9
Score for four of a kind
Earn 12 points for playing a fourth card of the same rank
10
Score for runs
Earn 1 point per card when completing a sequence of three or more consecutive ranks (need not be played in order)
11
Score for reaching 31
Earn 2 points for reaching exactly 31
12
Score for last card
Earn 1 point for playing the last card before all others say "Go" (if not reaching 31)
13
Score your hand
After all cards are played, count points in your hand plus the Starter card (non-dealers score first)
14
Score the Crib
Dealer scores the Crib last, counting it with the Starter card included

Winning

How to claim victory.

1
Reach 121 points
First player or team to reach 121 points wins the game
2
Play shorter game
As a variation, play to 61 points instead
3
Apply skunk rule (optional)
If loser fails to reach 91 points, winner earns a double game; if loser fails to reach 61 points, winner earns a quadruple game ("double skunk")
4
Call Muggins (optional)
If an opponent misses points during scoring, announce "Muggins" to claim those points for yourself after explaining which points were missed

watch & Learn

Let the pros teach you with these top videos.

A Beginner's Guide to 3 & 4 Handed CRIBBAGE

A Beginner's Guide to 3 & 4 Handed CRIBBAGE

Instructional

How to Play - Cribbage feat. Beth Sobel's River & Stone Cards

How to Play - Cribbage feat. Beth Sobel's River & Stone Cards

Instructional

MORE VIDEOS

FULL rules

Looking for the full details? Grab the complete rulebook as a downloadable PDF.

PDF RULEBOOK

Play Board Games Online

Explore breakout hits and fan favourites with no downloads, setup or paywalls. Just click and play.

Play Now

more GAMES LIKE THIS

Jaipur

Jaipur

Res Arcana

Res Arcana

Fantastic Factories

Fantastic Factories

Fort

Fort