(Previous section: Cribbage rules – the turn-up)

The count

Following the deal, the discard and the turn-up, the hand proper begins.

In the playing phase of Cribbage, the players take it in turns to lay down a card, trying to make the running total equal to certain values. The non-dealer plays first and states the value of her card (for example, “ten” for a Jack). Court cards count ten (together with the face 10 they are known as the ‘ten-cards’, or ‘tenth cards’). Ace counts one.

15 and 31

The dealer then plays a card, the value of which is added to the current running total. The player who makes the total exactly 15 scores two points (“fifteen-two”). Two points are also awarded for making 31. Additionally, you score a point if your opponent cannot play without going over 31 (“one for the go”, or just “one for go”). You must play if you can (reneging is against the rules).

Pairs

If your card is the same rank as the last card played, you score two for a pair. If your opponent plays a third card of the same rank, he scores 6 for a “pair royal” (three of a kind). Four of a kind scores 12 (“double pair royal”).

Runs

If the last 3 cards played form a sequence, the player making the sequence scores 3 for a “run”. For example, 3-4-5 makes a run of 3 and so scores 3 for the player laying down the 5. If the opponent then plays a 6 (or a 2) to extend the sequence to 4 cards, she scores 4, and so on as long as the sequence is unbroken.

Sequence do not have to be in order. For example, if the play goes 7-9-6, you can then play an 8 to score 4 for a run of 4.

Continue to Cribbage rules – the go

(Previous section: Cribbage rules – the turn-up)

The count

Following the deal, the discard and the turn-up, the hand proper begins.

In the playing phase of Cribbage, the players take it in turns to lay down a card, trying to make the running total equal to certain values. The non-dealer plays first and states the value of her card (for example, “ten” for a Jack). Court cards count ten (together with the face 10 they are known as the ‘ten-cards’, or ‘tenth cards’). Ace counts one.

15 and 31

The dealer then plays a card, the value of which is added to the current running total. The player who makes the total exactly 15 scores two points (“fifteen-two”). Two points are also awarded for making 31. Additionally, you score a point if your opponent cannot play without going over 31 (“one for the go”, or just “one for go”). You must play if you can (reneging is against the rules).

Pairs

If your card is the same rank as the last card played, you score two for a pair. If your opponent plays a third card of the same rank, he scores 6 for a “pair royal” (three of a kind). Four of a kind scores 12 (“double pair royal”).

Runs

If the last 3 cards played form a sequence, the player making the sequence scores 3 for a “run”. For example, 3-4-5 makes a run of 3 and so scores 3 for the player laying down the 5. If the opponent then plays a 6 (or a 2) to extend the sequence to 4 cards, she scores 4, and so on as long as the sequence is unbroken.

Sequence do not have to be in order. For example, if the play goes 7-9-6, you can then play an 8 to score 4 for a run of 4.

Continue to Cribbage rules – the go