Two-handed peg game. Score combinations in your hand, the play, and the crib — first to 121 wins.
Setup & play
Standard 52-card deck. 2 players (3-4 variants exist, supported in the scorecard).
Each player is dealt 6 cards; each discards 2 into the dealer's "crib" (a bonus hand for the dealer). The top card of the remaining deck is cut as the "starter" — if it's a Jack, the dealer scores "his heels" for 2.
The play: Players alternate playing cards face up, calling out the running total. Score points for hitting 15, 31, pairs, runs, and last-card. Total cannot exceed 31; reset and continue if it can't.
The show: After the play, each player counts combinations in their hand + the starter for points. Dealer then counts the crib.
Scoring
During the play: - Hit exactly 15 or 31: 2 points - Pair: 2 points (three-of-a-kind: 6; four: 12) - Run of 3+: 1 point per card - Last card played: 1 point
Hand / crib counting: Combine your 4 cards + starter: - Each 15-combination (any cards summing to 15): 2 - Pairs / triples / quads: 2 / 6 / 12 - Runs of 3+: 1 per card - Flush (4 cards same suit in hand): 4; (5 with starter): 5 - Jack of starter suit ("his nobs"): 1
Game: First to 121 wins. The skunk line (61) and double-skunk (31) matter for stakes and bragging rights.
Variants
- Twice around (121)
Default. Full peg board, ends at 121.
- Once around (61)
Half-length game — peg around the board just once.
- Five-card cribbage
Older variant — deal 5 instead of 6, discard 2. Different hand math but the peg board is the same.
- Muggins
If you miss points in your show, the opponent can claim them. Punishing variant for serious players.
Common house-rule decisions
These are the questions that come up most often. The Rules tab toggles between the common choices — agree before the first hand or you’ll re-litigate them mid-game.
- Game length — 121 (twice around) or 61 (once around).
- Muggins on/off.
- Five-card variant.
- Skunk and double-skunk handling for stakes.
- Lurch — opposite of muggins; some groups award the loser nothing if skunked.