Learn and Practice Runs & Flushes in Cribbage
More Detail
A run is 3 or more consecutive cards, scoring 1 point per card (3-card run = 3 points, 4-card run = 4 points, etc.). A flush is 4+ cards of the same suit. Suits don't matter for runs - only the sequence counts.
Why This Matters
Runs and flushes add significant points to your hand. A double run (like 3-4-4-5) scores twice because you count each unique run. Combined with 15s and pairs, these can create very high-scoring hands.
Key Rules to Remember
- Runs: 1 point per card in sequence (min 3 cards)
- Double runs score both runs plus the pair
- Flush in hand: 4 points (must be all 4 hand cards)
- Flush with starter: 5 points (all 5 cards same suit)
Common Mistake
Counting flushes wrong in the crib. The crib flush MUST include the starter card - you can't score a 4-card flush in the crib!