How to Play

Our cribbage nights are designed to be played by people (of any age!) who know how to play cribbage; they are not a good way to learn how to play cribbage.  You definitely don't have to be a pro but you should know all the basic rules and how to count your hand without assistance.

We thought we'd put some resources on this page for those who are interested in learning the game so they can join the fun in the future;  we hope you do and we'll see ya over the board before you know it!

YouTube video showing the basics

Not into YouTube videos?

Here's a good text explanation of cribbage: https://www.pagat.com/adders/crib6.html

What's our favorit cribbage app for smartphones, PCs, & Macs?

Don't Want to download an app just to check out cribbage? Try this free web-based version.

Variations We don't play at our tournaments (but are fun to try!)

Five-Card Cribbage

This is a simpler game that is none-the-less preferred by many veterans. It is probably a better bet for children and beginners. It is the original form of Cribbage which has been superseded by the 6-card variant. The differences are:

• There is a significant advantage to being first dealer. To offset this, the non-dealer pegs 3 points before the game begins. This is called "three for last."

• Five cards are dealt to each person at the start. Two cards are discarded into the crib which leaves each player with only 3 cards for the play and the show.

• In 5 card cribbage the play ends immediately when one of the players scores for 31 or "go". (In six card cribbage, a new round of play starts once go or 31 is reached.)

• When counting hands, a 3-card flush can be scored but only if all 3 cards are from the hand. A 4-card flush can be scored if the turned up card on the deck is also of the same suit.

• The winner is the first player to reach 61 points.

Captain's Cribbage

A great 3-player variant for those who don't really like traditional cutthroat or only have a 2-track board but 3 players.  The game consists of 1 "captain" playing solo to 61 points against 2 "crew" who play as a team to 121 points.  Each game goes quick!

• Three handed cribbage scored with only 2 sets of pegs (so can be conveniently played on a 2-track board).

• Cut for low card to start, this determines both the deal and who is the captain that will play against the other 2 players, who play as a team (the crew or mutineers).

• Each player is dealt 5 cards with one coming off the deck to seed the crib. Each player discards 1 card to the crib.

• The captain only has to get 61 points to win, while the team needs to reach 121.

• The captain rotates clockwise and a set of games concludes when everyone has played once as the captain. You can use a peice of scratch paper to record scores to determine who was the best captain!