Four-Player Cribbage Rules (How to Play Cribbage with 4 Players)

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Cribbage can be played with four players using a team format, where players compete in pairs instead of individually. While the core rules of cribbage remain the same, four-player games introduce team scoring and a few important gameplay differences.

This guide explains how to play four-player cribbage, including team setup, dealing rules, and scoring in partnership games.

For the standard version of the game, start here:

👉 How to Play Cribbage

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Can You Play Cribbage with Four Players?

Yes. Four-player cribbage is a very common variation and is typically played as a partnership game.

• Players form two teams of two
• Teammates sit opposite each other
• Partners share a single score
• The goal is still to reach 121 points first

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Team Setup & Seating

Correct seating is important in four-player cribbage.

• Partners sit directly across from each other
• Play proceeds clockwise
• Teammates do not combine hands, only scores

Each player still plays their own hand during pegging and hand scoring.

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Dealing in Four-Player Cribbage

Dealing differs slightly from two-player cribbage.

How many cards are dealt?

• Each player is dealt 5 cards
• Cards are dealt one at a time, clockwise

This results in 20 cards dealt total.

👉 Standard dealing overview: Cribbage Dealing Rules

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Forming the Crib

After the deal:

• Each player discards 1 card
• The four discarded cards form the crib
• The crib belongs to the dealer’s team

Only the dealer’s team scores the crib.

👉 Learn more: What Is the Crib in Cribbage?

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Cutting the Starter Card

After discards:

• The player to the dealer’s left cuts the deck
• The top card is revealed as the starter card

His Heels rule:

• If the starter card is a Jack, the dealer’s team scores 2 points

👉 Scoring explained: Cribbage Scoring Explained

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Pegging Rules in Four-Player Cribbage

Pegging follows standard rules, but with four players:

• Players take turns clockwise
• Each player plays one card at a time
• The running total cannot exceed 31

All pegging scores apply:

• 15s
• 31s
• Pairs and multiples
• Runs
• Go and last card

Pegging points are added to the team score.

👉 Pegging rules: Cribbage Pegging Rules

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Hand & Crib Scoring (Team Play)

After pegging:

1. Each non-dealer player scores their hand (in order)
2. The dealer scores their hand
3. The dealer’s team scores the crib

Each hand consists of:

• 4 cards
• + the starter card

All points scored by a player are added to their team’s total.

👉 Hand examples: Cribbage Hands Explained

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Board Setup for Four Players

Most boards used for four-player cribbage:

• Have four tracks, or
• Use shared tracks with different peg colors

Each team still uses two pegs, leapfrogging as usual.

👉 Visual explanation: Cribbage Board Explained

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Strategy Notes (Brief)

Four-player cribbage plays differently from two-player games:

• Pegging is less predictable
• Communication between partners is not allowed
• Defensive discards matter more
• Cribs tend to be less explosive

Consistency and mistake-free play are more important than chasing big hands.

👉 Beginner strategy: Cribbage Strategy for Beginners

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Common Four-Player Cribbage Mistakes

• Sitting next to your partner
• Forgetting that scores are shared
• Combining hands instead of scores
• Letting the wrong team score the crib
• Playing as if it were individual competition

👉 Avoid errors: Common Cribbage Mistakes

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Quick Summary

• Players: 4 (2 teams of 2)
• Cards dealt: 5 per player
• Discards: 1 per player
• Crib owner: Dealer’s team
• Goal: 121 points (team score)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is four-player cribbage official?
Yes. Team cribbage is a standard and widely played variation.

Do teammates share a hand?
No. Each player keeps and scores their own hand, but points are added to the team total.

Can four players play without teams?
It’s uncommon. Four-player cribbage is almost always played as partnerships.

👉 More answers: Cribbage FAQ