Cribbage — free online Card game
The English pub classic: throw to the crib, peg fifteens and pairs up to 31, count your hand and race your peg to 121.
Cribbage is free to play in your browser against the computer: the two-player card game played in English pubs since the 1600s and still on kitchen tables across Britain, the US and Canada. Each player gets six cards and throws two into the crib, a bonus hand that belongs to the dealer. A card is cut as the starter — a jack gives the dealer two for his heels. Then you take turns laying cards down, keeping a running count that can't pass 31: score two for making 15 or exactly 31, two for a pair, six for three of a kind, and points for runs. If your opponent can't play, they say go and you score one. Afterwards each hand is counted with the starter: every combination adding to 15 scores two, plus pairs, runs, flushes and one for his nobs, the jack of the starter's suit. The crib is counted last. Points move your peg along the board, and the first to 121 wins on the spot. Three computer levels. No download, no sign-up.
Quick start
- Press Start. Tap two of your six cards and press TO THE CRIB.
- Tap a card to play it; the count is shown under the cards and can't pass 31.
- Points pop up as you score; your red peg moves along the board in the side panel.
- After each deal the hands are counted for you. First to 121 wins.
How to play Cribbage
- Each player gets six cards and throws two into the crib, which belongs to the dealer. The deal alternates.
- A starter card is cut. If it is a jack, the dealer pegs two (his heels).
- The pegging: the non-dealer plays first, and players alternate laying down one card, announcing the running total. Court cards count 10, aces 1. The count may never pass 31.
- During the pegging you score 2 for making the count 15, 2 for exactly 31, 2 for a pair with the previous card, 6 for three of a kind, 12 for four, and 1 per card for a run of three or more (in any order) at the end of the sequence.
- If you can't play without passing 31 you say go; your opponent keeps playing if they can, then scores 1 for the go (2 if they hit 31). The count starts again from zero. The last card played scores 1.
- The show: the non-dealer counts first, then the dealer, then the dealer's crib, each with the starter as a fifth card. Every combination of cards adding to 15 scores 2; pairs 2; runs 1 per card (a double run counts twice); four cards of one suit in hand 4, five with the starter 5 (the crib only scores a five-card flush); the jack of the starter's suit scores 1 (his nobs).
- The game is 121 points. The moment a player reaches 121 they win — even during the pegging. Winning before your opponent reaches 91 is a skunk.
Terms
- Crib
- The extra four-card hand thrown by both players; it scores for the dealer.
- Starter
- The card cut after the discards; it counts as a fifth card in every hand.
- Fifteen two+2
- Each combination adding up to 15.
- Go+1
- Your opponent can't play without passing 31.
- His nobs+1
- The jack of the starter's suit in your hand or crib.
- His heels+2
- The starter is a jack: two for the dealer.
- Skunk< 91
- Winning before your opponent reaches 91.
Controls
- Tap a card to select it for the crib, then press TO THE CRIB
- Tap a highlighted card to play it during the pegging
- Greyed-out cards would take the count past 31; go is said automatically
- The peg board shows both pegs: the faded peg marks the last score
- Enter or Space lets the computer make the current choice for you
Tips
- Keep fives and cards worth ten together — they make fifteens with almost any starter.
- Throw fives, pairs and touching cards into your own crib; throw them away from your rival's crib.
- Don't lead a five: any ten-card makes fifteen for your opponent. A four or lower is the safest lead.
- Avoid leaving the count at 21 — a ten makes 31 for your opponent.
- Hold on to low cards near the end of a count to steal the go or a 31.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my hand score zero?
A hand with no fifteens, pairs, runs, flush or nobs scores nothing. Players jokingly call it a nineteen, because nineteen is impossible to score.
What is the highest possible hand?
29: three fives and the jack in hand with the fourth five as starter, of the jack's suit.
Does the game stop exactly at 121?
Yes. The first player to reach 121 wins immediately, so pegging points can win before the hands are counted.
Is it free?
Yes, completely free in your browser, with no download and no account.