Cribbage

How to play Cribbage

Cribbage is for two players: you and the computer. The first to 121 points wins, and points can come at any moment of a hand, so the game can end mid-hand.

• The deal: each player gets six cards and throws two face down to the crib. The crib belongs to the dealer, who changes every hand.
• The starter: a card is cut and turned up. If it's a Jack, the dealer scores 2 ("his heels").
• The play: players take turns laying a card, adding its value to the count (Aces 1, face cards 10). The count can't go past 31. Making exactly 15 or 31 scores 2. Laying a card of the same rank as the one before scores 2 for a pair, 6 for three, 12 for four. Three or more cards in a row in any order, like 4 then 6 then 5, score 1 a card.
• If you can't lay a card without passing 31, you say go (the game does this for you). When neither player can lay, the last to lay scores 1 and the count starts again. The last card of the play scores 1.
• The show: each hand is counted with the starter: every combination adding to 15 scores 2, each pair 2, each run 1 a card, four cards of one suit 4 (5 with the starter), and the Jack of the starter's suit 1 ("nobs"). The other player counts first, then the dealer, then the dealer's crib (a crib flush needs all five cards).
• To throw, tap two cards, then Throw to the crib. In the play, tap a card to lay it.

A win by 31 or more points is a skunk.

Keyboard

Tab moves between your cards and the buttons. Enter or Space selects or lays a card. H shows a hint.