Rules & counting

Learn cribbage.

Each player is dealt four cards, plus a fifth that becomes the shared starter. Count every combination, then peg card by card toward the target.

15s

Any group of cards totalling exactly 15 scores 2.

5 + K = 15 → 2

Two cards of the same rank score 2 each. Three of a kind is 6, four is 12.

7 7 → 2

Consecutive ranks score their length. A doublet within the run multiplies it.

3 4 5 6 → 4

1 point for holding the starter's suit in hand.

starter ♥J, hand ♥9 → 1

1 point to the dealer when the starter is a jack.

cut J♠ → 1

Optional: an uncounted hand total is claimed by the first caller.

6-6-7-7 + 8 = 12

1. Players lay one card each in turn, keeping a running total.
2. Reaching exactly 15 scores 2; reaching exactly 31 scores 2.
3. A card that cannot be added without passing 31 scores 1 for the player who held the last card.
4. Pairs and closed runs of three or more score during the race, exactly as in the show.

· Keep low cards for the end of the pegging race so you always have a legal lay.
· Protect your nobs: hold the starter's suit whenever the crib is not yours.
· Count the crib before you discard; two extra points there decide close games.