Learn and Practice The Crib in Cribbage
More Detail
The crib is an extra 4-card hand scored by the dealer. Both players discard 2 cards face-down to create it. When you're the dealer, you want to feed it good cards. When you're not, you want to 'salt' it with bad cards.
Why This Matters
Smart discarding can swing games. A well-built crib can score 8-12 points for the dealer. Conversely, giving away 5s or suited connectors to your opponent's crib is a major mistake that can cost you the game.
Key Rules to Remember
- Never give a 5 to your opponent's crib
- Avoid giving touching cards (like 6-7) to opponent
- When dealer, keep your hand strong but feed the crib
- A pair in your crib guarantees at least 2 points
Common Mistake
Keeping a perfect hand while giving the opponent easy points. Balance your hand score with what you're giving away - sometimes a slightly weaker hand is worth not feeding the enemy crib.