Learning how to play cribbage is challenging, but playing the game is easy and fun. The object of knowing how to play cribbage is to be the first player to accumulate 121 points.
The following are game instructions on how to play cribbage with 2 players. The items involved in how to play cribbage are simple. You will need a standard 52 deck of cards, and cribbage board, with pegs to keep score. The rank and value of the cards in cribbage are; picture cards are worth 10 points, aces worth 1 point and all other cards are scored at face value.
When starting the game of cribbage, the cards are shuffled, cut 2- 3 times and placed face down. Each player pulls out one card and the person with the lowest card is the dealer. After the initial deal, the deal alternates from hand to hand until the game is over. The dealer deals 6 cards face down to each player. The rest of the un-dealt cards are placed face down on the table.
To start the cribbage game, each player looks at the 6 cards they were dealth and decides which 2 to discard into the crib. This will leave 4 cards
to keep in their hand. The non-dealer cuts the remaining pack, turning over the top card indicating the start card. If this up-card is a Jack, the dealer automatically gets 2 points.
Starting with the non-dealer, players will alternately lay cards down. As cards are laid down, players will call out the value of the total, until a player cannot lay down another card without exceeding 31. The player says “go”, allowing the other player to lay down another card. This must be done without exceeding 31 and for as many times as necessary. Once the player has laid down as many card as possible without going over 31, and says “go” 1 point is earned. If the total is exactly 31, 2 points are earned.
Two points will be earned by either player, if they reach 15. Points can also be earned and pegged for pairs. Sequences can also score points. Once all cards have been played, count them. The non-dealer counts first, followed by the dealer and then the crib. Your hand consists of the four cards played, plus the cut card. One point is scored for holding the Jack of the suit that was cut. Pairs, triples and quadruples count 2, 6 and 12 points. Sequences count 1 point per card and must consist of at least three cards. Any combination of cards adding up to 15, are worth 2 points. A flush is worth 4 points.
Several handy tips to remember on how to play cribbage are:
The person who wins is first to peg out.
A 10 card, is likely to be the up-card.
Try to never pass a five or a pair in your opponent’s crib.
Twenty-nine points is the highest hand you can have in a cribbage game.
