Cribbage Glossary
All the terms you need to know
A worthless hand that scores zero points. Called '19' because it's impossible to score exactly 19.
Reaching exactly 31 during pegging scores 2 points.
The trailing peg, moved forward when you score to show your new total.
Discarding cards to the crib that are unlikely to score well, especially when it's your opponent's crib.
Another term for the crib, more commonly used in British cribbage.
Reaching 121 points during hand counting before the opponent. Important because count order matters!
Four cards (two from each player) set aside face-down. The dealer scores the crib after the hands are counted.
After dealing, the non-dealer cuts the deck to reveal the starter card.
Four cards of the same rank. Worth 12 points (six pairs).
A run with one pair, e.g., 3-4-4-5 scores 8 points (two runs of 3 = 6, plus pair = 2).
Winning by 61+ points (opponent finishes with 60 or fewer). Often counts as triple.
A combination of cards totaling exactly 15. Worth 2 points in pegging or counting.
Four cards of the same suit in your hand (4 points). If the starter matches, it's 5 points. In the crib, all 5 cards must match for 5 points.
The lead peg on the cribbage board showing your current score.
Called when a player cannot play a card without exceeding 31. The opponent continues or also says Go.
When the starter card is a Jack, the dealer immediately scores 2 points.
When you have a Jack in your hand that matches the suit of the starter card, you score 1 point.
Playing the final card in pegging scores 1 point (unless it makes 31, which scores 2).
When one player reaches 121 before the opponent reaches 61 (halfway). Counts as 3 games won.
An optional rule where if a player miscounts their hand, the opponent can claim the missed points.
Two cards of the same rank. Worth 2 points.
Three cards of the same rank. Worth 6 points (three pairs).
The first scoring phase where players alternately play cards, keeping a running total up to 31.
The highest possible hand: three 5s and the Jack of the same suit as the starter 5. Extremely rare!
The non-dealer. The pone leads the first card in pegging and counts their hand first.
A run with two pairs, e.g., 3-3-4-4-5 scores 16 points (four runs + two pairs).
Three or more cards in sequence (not necessarily the same suit). Worth 1 point per card.
Giving good scoring cards to your own crib to maximize your dealer advantage.
Winning by 31+ points (opponent finishes with 90 or fewer). Often counts as double in match play.
The card turned up after the cut. Used by both players when counting hands, but not during pegging.
Hole 120, one point from winning. Some rules say you can't win by pegging from here.
One row of holes on the cribbage board, typically 30 holes.
A run with three of a kind, e.g., 3-3-3-4-5 scores 15 points (three runs + pair royal).