Scoring During The Game Of Cribbage

The object in Cribbage is to score 121 points.

These points are pegged. Pegging refers to placing a small peg in the Cribbage Board to indicate the current score.

If the start card is a Jack the dealer will immediately peg 2 holes. This is referred to as Two for his heels.

Each player should play his cards to form a face-up pile in front of himself. Each player should keep his cards separate from the other player’s.

The value of each card should be added as the cards are played. The total must not exceed 31. When neither player can play anymore cards without going over 31 or when 31 is reached, the count is restarted from zero.

Ace = 1

2 – 10 = face value

Jack = 10

Queen = 10

King = 10

As each card is played the player should announce the running total. If a card is played that brings the total to 31 (exactly), the player pegs 2 and claims Thirty-one for two. When a player cannot play a card without exceeding 31 he should call “Go” which leaves the play open for his opponent to continue if he can. If neither can play a card without exceeding 31 then the last player to play a card pegs one “for the go”.

The cards that have been played are then turned over and a new round of play begins. Play continues for as many rounds as necessary until both players’ cards are exhausted. Anytime a player makes a score during the play he should peg them immediately.

15 – If a card is played that brings the total to 15 the player should peg 2 claiming “Fifteen two”

31 – When a card is played that brings the total to exactly 31 the player will peg two

Pair – If you are able to play a card of the same rank as the previous card you peg 2 for a Pair. For example, if a king is played and you then play a king you are entitled to peg 2. Note, this refers to the rank of the cards and not the value. For example, playing a 10 after a queen does not make a Pair, even though both are worth (or valued at) 10 points

Pair Royal – If you are playing the card immediately after a Pair and it is of the same rank you will score 6 for the Pair Royal. This will be the third card of the same rank

Double Pair Royal – If you are playing the fourth card of the same rank In immediate succession you will score 12

Run - 3 or more cards of consecutive ranks are called a Run or sequence. The suit does not matter. For example, this could be 4 – 5 – 6 – 7, or 10 – Jack – Queen. Keep in mind that the ace is low. The player that completes a run scores for the run. The score is equal to the number of cards in the run. The cards in the run can be played in any order – but no other cards can intervene. For example, if cards are played in the following order: 8 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 7. The player of the first 8 will score 3 for the run 8 – 6 – 7. The player of the second 8 will score 3 for the run 6 – 7 – 8. The player of the second 7 will not score anything because the 7 does not complete a run.

Last Card – If neither player can make the total exactly 31 then the player of the last card pegs 1

An important point about scoring is that to score for a Pair, Pair Royal, Double Pair Royal, or Run, the cards must have been played consecutively in a single round of play. If a play said “Go” as the combination was being formed the combination is still valid. But if neither player is able to play a card causing a new round of play to be started from zero then all combinations are started fresh.