If a player cannot add another card without exceeding 31, he or she says 'Go' and the opponent pegs 1. The Goĭuring play, the running total of cards may never be carried beyond 31. (Example: The non-dealer begins with a four, saying 'Four.' The dealer plays a nine, saying 'Thirteen'.) The kings, queens and jacks count 10 each every other card counts its pip value (the ace counts one). Each player keeps their cards separate from those of their opponent.Īs each person plays, they announce a running total of pips reached by the addition of the last card to all those previously played. The dealer similarly exposes a card, then non-dealer again, and so on - the hands are exposed card by card, alternately except for a 'Go,' as noted below. The PlayĪfter the starter is turned, the non-dealer lays one of their cards face up on the table. The starter is not used in the play phase of Cribbage, but is used later for making various card combinations that score points. This card is the 'starter.' If the starter is a jack, it is called 'His Heels,' and the dealer pegs (scores) 2 points at once. The dealer turns up the top card of the lower packet and places it face up on top of the pack. Before the PlayĪfter the crib is laid away, the non-dealer cuts the pack. The crib belongs to the dealer, but these cards are not exposed or used until after the hands have been played. The four cards laid away together constitute 'the crib'.

The CribĮach player looks at their six cards and 'lays away' two of them face down to reduce the hand to four. (Some games are to 61 points.) Players earn points during play and for making various card combinations. The goal is to be the first player to score 121 points.

The dealer distributes six cards face down to each player, beginning with the opponent. (In some games, there is no cut at this time.) The Deal The dealer has the right to shuffle last, and presents the cards to the non-dealer for the cut prior to the deal. Thereafter, the turn to deal alternates between the two players, except that the loser of the game deals first if another game is played. The player with the lower card deals the first hand. If both players cut cards of the same rank, each draws again.

The Draw, Shuffle and Cutįrom a shuffled pack face down, each player cuts a card, leaving at least four cards at either end of the pack. The DeckĪ Standard Deck of 52 Playing Cards Rank of Cards But Cribbage is basically best played by two people, and the rules that follow are for that number. Or four people can play two against two as partners.

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