Cribbage rules - the scoring
(Previous section: Cribbage rules - the go)
Having played out all the cards, both players then score their hands, pone first - this time including the turn-up card as part of both hands. The dealer's crib also includes the turn-up. Again, points are scored for 15s, runs, and pairs; you can also score for a flush (all cards of the same suit) - see the cribbage scoring chart below for a handy reference. It is a key part of the rules of cribbage that the non-dealer should score first - at the end of the game, both players may have enough points to win, and the right to score first will determine victory. The cribbage board's positions usually alternate during the game, with first one player leading, then the other. The trick is to be in the first-scoring position when you are close enough to win!
Cribbage flush
If the four cards in your hand are of the same suit, you score four for a flush (a cribbage flush, unlike in poker, doesn't beat three of a kind!). If the starter card is also of the same suit, you score five. However, in the crib you cannot score a four-card flush; all five must be the same suit. These rules occasionally have local variations, so check to make sure which rules are being used. In an official tournament, the American Cribbage Congress rules apply.
Some cribbage rules sites explicitly state that flushes are not scored in cribbage. This is incorrect, at least according to the American Cribbage Congress rules, which are the nearest thing to an official set of rules for cribbage.
Cribbage pairs
2 points are scored for a pair in cribbage, and 6 for a pair royal - that is, three cards of the same rank. This can be considered as 3 different pairs worth 2 points each. Similarly, double pair royal (four of a kind) scores 12 as there are 6 ways of picking two cards from four. You begin to see why mathematicians love this game.
Combinations of cards making 15 score two points each - for example, 8 and 7. As many ways as you can make 15 with your cards, you score 2 points for each of them. For example, 8-7-7-A can make 15 three ways: the 8 and one 7, the 8 and the other 7, and the 7-7-A. Consequently it scores 6 points (for 15s, and a further 2 for the pair of 7s).
Cribbage runs
Runs score as many points as there are cards in them. For example, a four-card run 9-T-J-Q scores 4.
Cribbage nobs
You also score 1 point if you have the Jack of the same suit as the starter card (known as 'his nob' or just 'nobs').
Cribbage scoring chart
You can print out this cribbage scoring chart and keep it handy when you're playing!
| Score | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 2 | - |
| Pair | 2 | - |
| Pair royal | 6 | Three of a kind |
| Double pair royal | 12 | Four of a kind |
| Run | 1 per card | Runs need not be in numerical order (eg 3-5-6-4) but they must be consecutive (3-4-4-5 does not score). |
| Go | 1 | The go is scored by the last player to lay a card. |
| 31 | 2 | The 2 points for 31 includes a go (by definition no-one can go when the total is 31). So no extra point is scored for the go. |
| Nobs | 1 | "One for his nob" is scored if you hold the Jack of the turn-up suit. |
scoring runs on a 'go'
My husband and I play cribbage twice every day. Today we ran into a scoring dilema that we just can't figure out. The count was at 22 and the last two cards played were 5 and 6. My husband said "GO" I held a 2, 3 and 4 in my hand. I layed down the 4 which gave me a 3 point run. Now it gets tricky. I then played the 3 which I thought gave me a 4 point run, then I played the 2 for a 5 point run, then 1 point for the 'Go'. For a total pegging score of 13 points. Our question is should I have just layed down all three of my cards and taken only the 5 point run and the 'Go'? Or was I correct to play one card at a time and score they way I did? Just so you know, I would have won the game anyway as I had first count and the points in my hand would have taken me to the finish. However, we disagree on my scoring. My argument is that I can only play one card at a time. My husband believes I should have layed all three cards at once!!! Thanks for your help.
Re: scoring runs on a 'go'
You score (and peg) for each card you play. So in your example you would have played the 4 and pegged 3 points for a 3-card run and one point for the go. Then you play the 3 and peg 4 points, and finally the 2 for a further 5 points. Nice play!
Re: scoring runs on a 'go'
In this example, wouldn't the total pegging points be 14 since 31 was reached?
The score wase 22. The last cards played were a 5 & 6 and that was a Go. The opponent played a 4 for 3 points, played a 3 for 4 points, then played a 2 for 5 points and reached 31 for 2 points (includes the 1 point for the Go).
question on criggage
I am out of cards. My opponent has two cards left. He plays and says 10, then puts down a 6 and totals 16. Does my opponent score anything for ending the play at 16. He has no cards left, and I had no cards left when he started?
What is his score for ending the game?
Re: question on criggage
Hi Gayle,
Your opponent would score one point for 'last card'.
Scoring
If your score thirty one on the last play and had the last card as well do you get 31 for 2 and 1 for last card?
Re: Scoring
Unfortunately not, the 31 for 2 includes one for last card (or 'go').
Scoring a Triple Run
The question came up recently about the score for a triple run. According to almost every cribbage rule book we have been able to find, it is always scored as 15 without any 15-2 counted (i.e. K, Q, Q, J with cut as Q). Why is this not scored as 3 double runs or 24 points?
Re: Scoring a Triple Run
J-Q-Q-Q-K makes three runs: J-Q-K three different ways. Each run scores three because it is a run of three, so 3 x 3 = 9.
Scoring a triple run
the 8 points in a double-run are accumulated from 2x3-card runs (6 points) and a pair for 2 more. Looking at the K,Q,Q,J - Q hand, you would have 3x3 card runs (9 points) and a pair royal for the remaining 6 - a total of 15 points. Unless you get one more for the nob.
Scoring a hand
Hi,
My hand after discarding two consisted of 7,7,8,8.
It was my crib and a 6 was cut.
How many total points is this?
I scored it as four runs of three for 12 + 4 points for the two pair plus 8 for the 15s' for a total of 24.
You scored correctly :)
You scored correctly :)
how and where dose the sequience stop in the deck
now when playing and counting your score and if u have a j,q,k,a in the run do u have 3 points, or do you have 4 point? The way i was taught was No Around the world sequience. How is the offecal sequience laid
Re: how and where dose the sequience stop in the deck
Aces are always low in cribbage.
scoring
I hold 3 sevens and i ace. how do I count it.4 or six
thank you
Let's see if I have the hang
Let's see if I have the hang of this: looks like the 3 7's are worth 6, and then each pair of 7's with the A gives you 15 for another 6. I think you have 12 points there Pat!
Scoring Help
If I have an 8, an A, and three 6's in total, do i score 2 points three times for adding up to 15 with each 8-A-6 combination for a total of 12 points (after adding the 6 points for the 3 of a kind)?
scoring
In the play for 2-handed cribbage:
Player 1 - 7
Player 2 - 8 (15 for 2)
Player 1 - 6 (run of 3)
Player 2 - 8 Last Card 1pt but any points additional points for a run?
scoring
How would you score this hand: In hand 5, 7, 8 ,8 and the starter card is 6
Pegging Out
Opponents are basically five points from the finish and starting to count their cards in the '31' play. If an one player scores 6 points, is he allowed to peg out at this point?
scoring
can you tell me how to score a hand of 2,3,3,7?