Cribbage QuickStart
Get playing in minutes! This guide walks you through starting a real-life cribbage game step by step.
1
Get What You Need
- One standard 52-card deck (no jokers)
- A cribbage board with pegs (or paper to keep score)
- Two players (there are 3-4 player variants too)
Tip: No cribbage board? Draw two columns of numbers 1-121 and cross off as you score.
2
Determine the Dealer
- Each player cuts the deck (lifts some cards off)
- The player who cuts the lowest card deals first
- Aces are low (value of 1) for the cut
Tip: The dealer has an advantage because they score the crib. Take turns dealing each hand.
3
Deal the Cards
- Shuffle the deck thoroughly
- Deal 6 cards to each player, one at a time, alternating
- Place the remaining deck in the center
Tip: Deal cards face-down. Players look at their own hands only.
4
Create the Crib
- Each player picks 2 cards from their hand to discard
- Place discards face-down in a pile (the crib)
- The crib belongs to the dealer and is scored later
Tip: Both players now have 4 cards. The crib has 4 cards.
5
Cut for the Starter
- The non-dealer cuts the remaining deck
- The dealer turns over the top card of the cut
- This 'starter' card is used in scoring (not pegging)
Tip: If the starter is a Jack, the dealer immediately pegs 2 points ('His Heels').
6
Play the Pegging Round
- Non-dealer plays a card first, saying its value
- Players alternate, adding to a running total
- Can't play if it would exceed 31 - say 'Go'
- Total resets to 0 when both can't play or 31 is reached
Tip: Score during pegging: 15=2pts, 31=2pts, pair=2pts, run of 3+=1pt each, last card=1pt
7
Count Your Hands
- Non-dealer counts their 4-card hand first (with starter)
- Then dealer counts their hand (with starter)
- Then dealer counts the crib (with starter)
Tip: Count: 15s=2pts each, pairs=2pts, runs=1pt per card, flush=4-5pts, nobs=1pt
8
Peg Your Score & Check for Winner
- Move pegs forward on the board as you score
- First player to reach 121 points wins
- You can win during pegging or counting - order matters!
Tip: Always peg immediately when you score. The game can end mid-count if someone reaches 121.