Understanding how to score cribbage hands is the biggest challenge for new players. Unlike many card games, cribbage hands are scored by finding multiple combinations at once — and the same card can be used in more than one scoring pattern.
This guide explains how cribbage hands are scored, using clear examples so you can recognize points quickly and avoid common mistakes.
If you’re new, read this page alongside the main scoring guide.
👉 Full rules overview: Cribbage Scoring Explained
What Is a Cribbage Hand?
A cribbage hand consists of:
- 4 cards in your hand
- + 1 starter card
You score all five cards together to find:
- Fifteens
- Pairs
- Runs
- Flushes
- Nobs
👉 Full game flow: How to Play Cribbage
How to Score a Cribbage Hand (Step by Step)
When scoring a hand, always follow this order:
- Look for fifteens
- Look for pairs and multiples
- Look for runs
- Check for flush
- Check for nobs
This order helps you avoid missing overlapping points.
Scoring Fifteens (15 = 2 Points)
Any combination of cards that adds up to 15 scores 2 points.
- Face cards = 10
- Ace = 1
Example:
Hand: 5♣, 5♦, 10♠, K♥ + starter 5♠
Possible fifteens:
- 5 + 10
- 5 + K
- 5 + 10 (again with another 5)
Multiple fifteens can exist in the same hand.
Scoring Pairs & Multiples
- Pair = 2 points
- Three of a kind = 6 points
- Four of a kind = 12 points
Example:
Hand: 7♠, 7♦, 7♣, Q♥ + starter 4♦
- Three 7s = 6 points
Pairs can also combine with fifteens and runs.
Scoring Runs
A run is 3 or more cards in sequence, regardless of suit.
Simple run example:
Hand: 4♠, 5♦, 6♣, J♥ + starter 9♠
- Run of 4–5–6 = 3 points
Double & Triple Runs (Very Important)
Duplicate cards can create multiple runs.
Example (double run):
Hand: 3♣, 4♦, 5♠, 5♥ + starter 6♦
- Two runs of 3–4–5–6
- Each run = 4 points
- Total = 8 points
This is where many beginners undercount.
Scoring Flushes
Flush rules depend on where the hand is scored.
Regular hand:
- 4 cards same suit = 4 points
- Hand + starter same suit = 5 points
Crib (dealer only):
- Flush scores only if all 5 cards match suit
👉 Learn why here: What Is the Crib in Cribbage?
Scoring Nobs
- If you have a Jack that matches the starter card’s suit
- You score 1 point
This is called nobs.
Example:
Starter card: ♥
Jack of ♥ in hand → +1 point
Full Hand Scoring Examples
Example 1: Simple Beginner Hand
Hand: 2♠, 5♦, 6♣, 9♥ + starter 3♦
- Run: 2–3–5–6 ❌ (not consecutive, no run)
- Fifteen: 6 + 9 = 15 → 2 points
Total: 2 points
Example 2: Multiple Scoring Types
Hand: 4♣, 5♦, 5♠, 6♥ + starter 6♠
- Pair: 5–5 → 2 points
- Pair: 6–6 → 2 points
- Runs: two runs of 4–5–6 → 6 points
Total: 10 points
Example 3: High-Scoring Hand
Hand: 5♣, 5♦, 5♠, J♥ + starter 5♥
- Four of a kind = 12
- Fifteens (many combinations) = 8
- Nobs (if Jack matches suit) = +1
👉 See full breakdown: Best Cribbage Hands
Common Hand-Scoring Mistakes
Beginners often:
- Miss overlapping fifteens
- Count runs incorrectly
- Forget nobs
- Apply crib flush rules to normal hands
👉 Avoid these errors: Common Cribbage Mistakes
Hand Scoring vs Pegging
Remember:
- Hand scoring happens after pegging
- Pegging scoring happens during play
They follow different rules.
👉 Pegging explained here: Cribbage Pegging Rules
Practice Scoring Cribbage Hands
The fastest way to learn hand scoring is repetition.
👉 Practice online: Play Cribbage Online
👉 Use apps: Best Cribbage Apps
Quick Reference
If you want a fast summary without examples:
Frequently Asked Questions
Still unsure about a specific hand?