The Complete Scoring Guide to Cribbage

Cribbage is a game where scoring is both strategic and rewarding. This guide covers every way to score points in cribbage, with clear rules, examples, and tips for hands, crib, and play.

Scoring During Play (Pegging)

Points are scored as players lay down cards, aiming for combinations and totals:

• Fifteen: Make the running total exactly 15.
  Score: 2 points

• Thirty-One: Make the running total exactly 31.
  Score: 2 points

• Pairs: Play a card that matches the previous card.
  Score: 2 points for a pair, 6 for three of a kind, 12 for four of a kind

• Runs: Play three or more consecutive cards (regardless of suit).
  Score: Points equal to the run length (e.g., 3 points for a run of three)

• Go: If your opponent cannot play, you score 1 point.

• Last Card: Playing the last card in a round scores 1 point (unless it makes 31, which scores 2 points).

Scoring Your Hand and the Crib

After all cards are played, each player scores their hand (including the starter card), and the dealer scores the crib.

Scoring Combinations

• Fifteens: Any combination of cards totaling 15.
  Score: 2 points for each combination

• Pairs: Two cards of the same rank.
  Score: 2 points for each pair

• Runs: Three or more consecutive cards.
  Score: Points equal to the run length

• Flush: Four cards of the same suit in hand (not including the starter card).
  Score: 4 points
  Five cards of the same suit (including the starter card).
  Score: 5 points
  In the crib, all five cards must be the same suit for a flush.

• Nobs: Jack of the same suit as the starter card.
  Score: 1 point

Example Scoring Breakdown

Hand: 5♠, 5♥, 5♦, J♣ | Starter: 5♣

• Fifteens: Four combinations (2 points each = 8 points)
• Pairs: Six pairs of fives (12 points)
• Nobs: Jack is not the same suit as the starter, so no nobs.
• Total: 20 points

Hand: 7♠, 8♣, 9♦, Q♥ | Starter: 6♠

• Run: 6-7-8-9 (4 points)
• No pairs, no fifteens, no flush, no nobs

Tips for Scoring

• Always count every possible combination for fifteens and runs.
• Remember to include the starter card when scoring hands and the crib.
• In the play phase, watch for opportunities to make 15, 31, pairs, and runs.
• Use a scoring app or calculator if you’re new to cribbage.

Winning

• The first player to reach 121 points wins the game.
• Score is tracked using a cribbage board or pen and paper.

Bookmark this guide for quick reference during your cribbage games!