Cribbage is a classic card game played with a standard 52-card deck and a cribbage board. While it may look unusual at first — especially because of the board and pegs — cribbage is easy to learn once you understand the basic flow of the game.
This guide explains exactly how to play cribbage, step by step, from dealing the cards to scoring points and winning the game.
If you’re brand new, start at the top and read through in order. If you’re brushing up on a specific rule, you can jump to the section you need.
What You Need to Play Cribbage
To play cribbage, you need:
- A standard 52-card deck
- A cribbage board with pegs (or a score-tracking alternative)
- 2 players (most common), though 3–4 players can also play
👉 Learn more about the board here: Cribbage Board Explained
Objective of the Game
The goal of cribbage is to be the first player to score 121 points.
Points are earned in several ways:
- During play (called pegging)
- By counting card combinations in your hand
- By scoring the crib
👉 Full breakdown here: Cribbage Scoring Explained
Step 1: Cutting for Deal
Before the game begins, players cut the deck.
The player who cuts the lowest card becomes the dealer.
- Aces are low
- Ties cut again
👉 Full rules explained: Cutting for Deal in Cribbage
The dealer role alternates each hand.
Step 2: Dealing the Cards
Each player is dealt six cards.
After looking at their cards, each player chooses two cards to discard into the crib. The crib belongs to the dealer and will be scored at the end of the hand.
👉 Learn how discards work: What Is the Crib in Cribbage?
Step 3: Cutting the Starter Card
After discards are made, the non-dealer cuts the remaining deck and reveals the top card. This is called the starter card.
- If the starter card is a Jack, the dealer scores 2 points immediately (called his heels)
Step 4: Pegging (Playing Cards)
Players now take turns playing one card at a time, announcing a running total that cannot exceed 31.
This phase is called pegging, and points can be scored during play.
Pegging points include:
- Making a total of 15 (2 points)
- Making a total of 31 (2 points)
- Pairs, three-of-a-kind, and four-of-a-kind
- Runs of three or more cards
If you cannot play a card without exceeding 31, you say “Go”, and your opponent may score a point.
👉 Learn the full rules: Cribbage Pegging Rules
👉 Improve your play: Cribbage Pegging Strategy
Step 5: Counting the Hands
Once pegging is complete, players score their hands.
The order is:
- Non-dealer’s hand
- Dealer’s hand
- Dealer’s crib
Each hand consists of four cards plus the starter card.
👉 See real examples: Cribbage Hand Examples
👉 Highest scoring hands: Best Cribbage Hands
How Scoring Works
Points are scored for:
- Combinations totaling 15
- Pairs and multiples
- Runs
- Flushes
- Nobs (Jack matching the starter suit)
Scoring can feel confusing at first, but it becomes second nature with practice.
👉 Detailed guide: Cribbage Scoring Explained
👉 Quick reference: Cribbage Cheat Sheet
Ending the Game
The game ends immediately when a player reaches 121 points — even if it happens in the middle of a hand or during pegging.
👉 Learn edge cases here: Cribbage Endgame Rules
Some games also use skunk rules, where losing by a large margin carries extra penalties.
👉 Learn more: Skunk Rules in Cribbage
Cribbage Variations
While two-player cribbage is the standard version, other formats exist:
- Three-Player Cribbage
- Four-Player Cribbage
The core rules stay the same, with small differences in dealing and scoring.
Beginner Tips
If you’re just starting out:
- Don’t worry about advanced strategy yet
- Focus on learning scoring patterns
- Practice pegging — it’s where many games are won
👉 Beginner guide: Cribbage Strategy for Beginners
👉 Avoid common errors: Common Cribbage Mistakes
Practice Playing Cribbage
You can practice cribbage online using apps or websites, which is a great way to improve without needing a physical board.
👉 Where to play: Play Cribbage Online
👉 App options: Best Cribbage Apps
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have questions about rules, scoring, or special situations, check the FAQ.