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.
Free Cribbage Cheat Sheet
Struggling to remember what scores during pegging? Not sure how to count your hand?
Download this free 3-page printable and keep it beside you while you play — scoring combinations, pegging examples, and round order all in one place.
Free printable PDF · 3 pages · Instant download
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
Work through each example step by step. Remember: the same card can be used in multiple scoring combinations.
Example 1: Simple Beginner Hand
Hand: 2♠, 5♦, 6♣, 9♥ + starter 3♦
| Category | Combination | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Fifteens | 6 + 9 = 15 | 2 |
| Runs | 2–3 (only 2 cards, no run) | 0 |
| Pairs | None | 0 |
| Total | 2 points |
Why no run? A run needs at least 3 consecutive cards. You have 2, 3, 5, 6 — there’s a gap between 3 and 5, so no run scores.
Example 2: Multiple Scoring Types
Hand: 4♣, 5♦, 5♠, 6♥ + starter 6♠
| Category | Combination | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs | 5♦ + 5♠ | 2 |
| Pairs | 6♥ + 6♠ | 2 |
| Runs | 4–5♦–6♥ | 3 |
| Runs | 4–5♦–6♠ | 3 |
| Runs | 4–5♠–6♥ | 3 |
| Runs | 4–5♠–6♠ | 3 |
| Total | 16 points |
Why 4 runs? Each 5 pairs with each 6 to create a separate run. Two 5s × two 6s = 4 distinct runs of 3. This is called a double double run and it’s one of the most commonly miscounted hands.
Example 3: High-Scoring Hand (29 Points — The Perfect Hand)
Hand: 5♣, 5♦, 5♠, J♥ + starter 5♥
This is the highest possible hand in cribbage — only achievable when the Jack matches the suit of the starter card (nobs).
| Category | Combination | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Fifteens | 5♣ + 5♦ + 5♠ = 15 | 2 |
| Fifteens | 5♣ + 5♦ + 5♥ = 15 | 2 |
| Fifteens | 5♣ + 5♠ + 5♥ = 15 | 2 |
| Fifteens | 5♦ + 5♠ + 5♥ = 15 | 2 |
| Fifteens | J♥ + 5♣ = 15 | 2 |
| Fifteens | J♥ + 5♦ = 15 | 2 |
| Fifteens | J♥ + 5♠ = 15 | 2 |
| Fifteens | J♥ + 5♥ = 15 | 2 |
| Four of a kind | 5♣ + 5♦ + 5♠ + 5♥ | 12 |
| Nobs | J♥ matches starter suit ♥ | 1 |
| Total | 29 points |
Why 8 fifteens? The Jack (worth 10) pairs with each of the four 5s for 4 fifteens. Then every combination of three 5s (there are 4 such combinations) also adds to 15. That’s 8 fifteens = 16 points, plus 12 for four of a kind, plus 1 for nobs.
👉 See full breakdown: Best Cribbage Hands
Free Cribbage Cheat Sheet
Struggling to remember what scores during pegging? Not sure how to count your hand?
Download this free 3-page printable and keep it beside you while you play — scoring combinations, pegging examples, and round order all in one place.
Free printable PDF · 3 pages · Instant download
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?