Play Cribbage for Free Online
Cribbage is a two-player card game with two scoring phases: pegging during play and hand scoring after the play. The playable game above includes discarding to the crib, cutting a starter, pegging to 31, scoring hands, scoring the dealer's crib, and racing to 121 points.
Objective
The objective is to reach 121 points before your opponent. You score during pegging by playing cards that make combinations, then score your hand and, if you are the dealer, the crib.
Setup and Play Area
- Cribbage uses a standard 52-card deck with no jokers.
- Each player receives six cards and chooses two cards to discard face down to the crib.
- The crib belongs to the dealer and is scored after both hands are scored.
- After both players discard, one starter card is cut and used for hand and crib scoring.
Available Moves
- Discard two cards to the crib at the start of each hand.
- During pegging, play one card at a time without making the running count exceed 31.
- Say go when you cannot legally play a card under 31.
- Score during pegging for 15, 31, pairs, three or four of a kind, and runs.
- After pegging, score the non-dealer hand, dealer hand, and dealer crib with the starter card.
Cribbage Strategy
- Discard differently depending on whose crib it is. Feed your own crib with useful combinations and avoid helping the opponent's crib.
- Keep cards that work together for fifteens and runs, especially 5s, 10-value cards, and connected ranks.
- During pegging, avoid setting up an easy 15 or 31 unless the tradeoff is worth it.
- Pairs can be valuable, but they can also invite the opponent to score three or four of a kind.
- Track which cards have been played during pegging so you can spot likely runs and safe leads.
Variants
- Muggins is an optional rule where an opponent can claim missed points. CardGamesHQ currently scores automatically and does not use muggins.
- Some casual games play to 61 points. CardGamesHQ uses the standard 121-point target.
- Three-player and four-player cribbage variants exist, but this page focuses on standard two-player cribbage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crib in Cribbage?
The crib is a four-card extra hand made from both players' discards. It belongs to the dealer and is scored after the regular hands.
What is pegging in Cribbage?
Pegging is the play phase where players alternate cards, keep a running count up to 31, and score points for 15, 31, pairs, runs, and go.
How do you score a Cribbage hand?
A Cribbage hand scores for fifteens, pairs, runs, flushes, and nobs using the four kept cards plus the starter card.
Play Cribbage Online
Cribbage is a two-player card game where players discard to the crib, peg points during play, and score hands using a shared starter card.
How to Play
Each player is dealt six cards and discards two cards to the crib. After the starter card is cut, players alternate playing cards without taking the running count over 31.
Cribbage Rules
Pegging scores points during play for making 15, 31, pairs, three or four of a kind, and runs. After pegging, hands are scored with the starter card, then the dealer scores the crib.
Scoring
Hands score for combinations that total 15, pairs, runs, flushes, and one point for nobs. The first player to reach 121 points wins.
Controls
Tap two cards to discard to the crib, then tap a legal card during pegging. Use Go when you cannot play without exceeding 31, use Undo to step back, or press Ctrl+Z on desktop.