Cribbage

Scrimshaw cribbage board. Museum of Anthropology. Vancouver. 2010

Mrs. Freda Cooper of the Canadian Red Cross playing cribbage

Travel Cribbage Board (38669697446)

Cribbage board with pegs1

120-hole cribbage board

Cribbage, often simply called crib, is a card game that originated in the early 17th century in England. It is traditionally played by two to four players, though the most common format is two-player. The game involves playing and grouping cards in combinations to gain points. Cribbage is distinctive among card games for its use of a cribbage board or pegging board to keep score, rather than the paper and pencil or chips commonly used in other games.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Cribbage involves several stages: dealing, the discard, the play, the show, and sometimes the crib. Each stage has its own set of rules and strategies.

Dealing

To start the game, each player is dealt a hand of six cards (five if more than two players are participating). Each player then chooses two cards to discard into the "crib" – a separate hand that belongs to the dealer. The crib provides the dealer with an opportunity to score additional points.

The Cut and The Starter

After the discard, the deck is cut by the non-dealer to reveal a single card called the "starter" or the "cut". If this card is a Jack, the dealer scores two points immediately, a play known as "two for his heels".

The Play

Players then take turns laying down cards, trying to reach a cumulative value of 31. Points are scored for combinations such as pairs, runs, and cards that add up to 15. If a player cannot play a card without exceeding 31, they say "go", and the other player may continue to lay down cards until they too cannot play without exceeding 31. The count then resets, and play resumes until all cards have been played.

The Show

After the play, each player, starting with the non-dealer, scores their hand based on various combinations, including pairs, runs, 15s, and flushes, using the starter card as part of their hand. The dealer scores their hand last and then scores the crib, which also includes the starter.

Scoring

Cribbage scoring can be complex, with points awarded for card combinations in both the play and the show. Key scoring combinations include: - Pairs: Two of a kind scores 2 points. - Runs: Three or more consecutive cards (regardless of suit) score 1 point per card. - Fifteens: Any combination of cards adding up to 15 scores 2 points. - Flush: Four cards of the same suit in the hand (not including the crib or the starter) score 4 points; if the starter is also of the same suit, the score is 5.

Cribbage Board

The cribbage board is a distinctive feature of the game, used for scorekeeping. It consists of a series of holes on which pegs are moved to track each player's score. The traditional board is a wooden panel with four rows of 30 holes each, but many variations exist.

Strategy

Cribbage strategy involves both the selection of cards to discard into the crib and the play of cards to maximize scoring while minimizing the opponent's opportunities to score. Advanced players also pay attention to the probability of certain cards being in play, based on the cards seen and the known discards.

Variations

There are several variations of Cribbage, including three-player, four-player, and five-card Cribbage. Each variation has its own set of rules and strategies.

Cultural Significance

Cribbage has been a beloved game in English-speaking countries for centuries, with a rich tradition and a loyal following. It is often associated with naval history, having been popular among sailors as a way to pass the time during long voyages.

Cribbage Resources
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