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Part 1
Progress to the first stage of gaining your cribbage Blackbelt. Learn about the cribbage board and the cards, how to move the pegs to keep score, how you win and a little of the history of cribbage.
Part 2
The most important part of cribbage is learning how to score a hand. What scores points and what is the order we count them in. You’ll be left with a hand of cards to try to score yourself. Answer in part 3.
Part 3
Here we will learn how a hand of cribbage works. From the deal, the discard and actually playing to 31 before we count the hands then swap dealer and go again.
Part 4
In this tutorial we will look at the ‘play stage’ or pegging phase and learn how to score points and outwit your opponent.
Part 5
In this video we will look at the deal and the strategy behind the discard of cards into the dealers spare second hand. Otherwise known as ‘the box’.
Part 6
In this final video we will look at winning strategies. Don’t be fooled into thinking cribbage is a game of luck. You create your own luck, and these tips will help you.
Download pocket cribbage guide POCKET CRIBBAGE GUIDE v5.
FAQ’s
Q. Give me some examples of how to score 15’s
A. Most common 15’s are scored with a 10 or picture card and 5, but 9/6 and 7/8 are obvious. Scoring 15’s with three cards give you a better chance of more 15’s using the starter card – so look for A/4/10, or 2/8/5, 3/7/5 (also good chance for a run with the starter card). 5/5/10/10 is an excellent hand and would score 8 in 15’s.
Q. What is a double run and double-double run?
A. 6/6/7/8 is a double run scoring 6 in runs (i.e. 6/7/8 twice) = 3x 2 points. 6/6/7/7/8 is a double-double run and scores 12 (i.e. 6/7/8 four times) = 3x 4 points. You’ll get used to seeing it and just say “12 in runs”, or “6 in runs”.
Q. What is cribbage etiquette for dealing and cutting?
A. Etiquette is important, but most people will give new players some leeway whilst you learn. Heavy shuffling is discouraged, although if the cards aren’t being good to you, then a good shuffle might work. Offer your opponent the pack to cut – always Ace low and lowest wins the first deal. Opponent will always be offered the deck to cut before every deal. If more than 2 players, cut is to right of dealer, but player to left of dealer always cuts the pack for the dealer to turn-over the starter card.
Q. What is the etiquette when scoring a hand?
A. Good etiquette is to keep your cards face-down whilst other players are scoring their hands. Announce the running total in this order: 15’s first (15-2, 15-4, 15-6, etc), then pairs (add running total 2 for the pair, 4 for pairs, etc), then runs (add to running total, 3 for the run, etc), then flushes (add 4 or 5 to running total), and finally add 1 for his nob to total (if you have the right Jack). This means all players can see your score and how you got there.
Q. What is the etiquette for the Pegging, or ‘Play phase’ of cribbage
A. Player to left of dealer lays the first card and announces the value of the card (1-10). The next player to the left plays their card and announces the new running total. If they score points for a pair or for a total of 15, they annouce the running score and say “for 2 points”. Not forgetting to move their pegs 2. If you can win points for more pairs, or runs, laying the last card or reaching total of 31, always announce the total and how many points that scores, before moving your pegs.
Q. What happens if the dealer turns-up a Jack as a starter card
A. The dealer scores 2 points and announces “two for doing it”.
Q. What is “One for his Nob”?
A. You hold a Jack that is the same suit as the starter card. It’s normally counted last and is easily missed.
Q. How do runs work in the Pegging phase?
A. A run can be cards of mixed suit. Starter card does not come into play. Some examples – 4/3/2 in that order scores 3 points. 2/4/3 in that order also scores 3 points for the run. 2/4/4/3 is not a continuous run and does not score. 2/4/4/3/5 scores 3 points for the continuous run of 4/3/5. Hope this helps.
Q. What is the highest possible scoring hand?
A. 29. This is the Holy Grail of cribbage and equivalent to a hole-in-one in golf. It’s scored with a hand of Jack/5/5/5 – the starter card then has to be the last remaining 5 and has to be the same suit as the Jack. There are 16 points in 15’s (15 for 16), 12 points for the 4x 5’s and 1 point for his Nob. Making 29.