Cribbage Hand Examples: 15 Worked Hands Counted Step by Step

Q: "What is the standard method for counting a cribbage hand?"

"Count in a fixed order every time: (1) Fifteens — find every combination of 2, 3, 4, or 5 cards that totals 15, scoring 2 pts each; (2) Pairs — 2 pts per pair, 6 pts for three of a kind, 12 pts for four of a kind; (3) Runs — 1 pt per card in any run of 3 or more; (4) Flush — 4 pts for 4-card same-suit hand, 5 pts if starter also matches; (5) Nobs — 1 pt if you hold a Jack matching the starter's suit."

Q: "Can a card be used in more than one fifteen?"

"Yes. A single card can appear in multiple fifteens simultaneously. For example, if your hand is 5-5-5-J-K, the first 5 pairs with both the J and the K to make 15 (two fifteens), and all three 5s together also make 15. Each combination scores independently."

Q: "What is the highest a normal hand can score?"

"The maximum is 29 points (three 5s + Jack in hand, fourth 5 as starter of matching suit). The second highest achievable hands score 24 points — several combinations can reach 24, including 6-7-7-8-8 and 7-7-8-8-9."

Fifteen fully worked cribbage hand examples — from beginner basics to tricky double runs and 20+ point hands. Count along to build speed and accuracy.

Updated: April 23, 2026 · 8 min read

By Garrett Pegg · Reviewed against ACC standards

Cribbage Hand Examples: 15 Worked Hands

Use these examples to practice counting before checking a calculator. Each hand uses the format: 4 hand cards + 1 starter card = 5 cards total.

Count each hand yourself first, then read the breakdown.

How to Count: Quick Reminder

Count every hand in this exact order:

Fifteens — every combination of cards totaling 15 = 2 pts each
Pairs — same rank = 2 pts; three of a kind = 6 pts; four of a kind = 12 pts
Runs — 3+ consecutive ranks = 1 pt per card
Flush — all 4 hand cards same suit = 4 pts; add starter = 5 pts
Nobs — Jack in hand matching starter suit = 1 pt

Card values: A=1, 2–10=face, J/Q/K=10.

Beginner Hands

Hand 1: A Simple Pair of Fives

Hand: 5♠ 5♥ K♣ Q♦ | Starter: 7♦

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	5+K=15, 5+Q=15, 5+K=15, 5+Q=15	8
Pairs	5-5	2
Runs	None	0
Flush	No (mixed suits)	0
Nobs	No Jack	0
Total		10

The 7 doesn’t help — it can’t form a fifteen with any card (7+K=17, 7+Q=17, 5+7=12). Both 5s each make fifteen with both K and Q — four fifteens from just the two 5s and two 10-value cards.

Hand 2: A Clean Run of Three

Hand: 7♥ 8♠ 9♣ K♦ | Starter: 2♥

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	7+8=15	2
Pairs	None	0
Runs	7-8-9	3
Flush	No	0
Nobs	No	0
Total		5

A solid but unspectacular hand. The 7+8=15 is the only fifteen. The 9, K, and 2 don’t contribute to any fifteen combination. Run scores 3. Total: 5.

Hand 3: Classic Nobs

Hand: J♣ 4♥ 6♦ 9♠ | Starter: 5♣

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	6+9=15, 6+9=15… wait: 4+J=14, 6+9=15, 4+5+6=15	4
Pairs	None	0
Runs	4-5-6	3
Flush	No	0
Nobs	J♣ matches 5♣ starter	1
Total		8

Breakdown of fifteens: 6+9=15 ✓, 4+5+6=15 ✓ — 2 fifteens = 4 pts. The run 4-5-6 (starter provides the 5) = 3 pts. Nobs = 1 pt. Total: 8.

Hand 4: Zero Point Hand (The Nineteen)

Hand: A♠ 3♣ 7♦ Q♥ | Starter: K♠

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	A+7+Q=18, A+7+K=21… none total 15	0
Pairs	None	0
Runs	None	0
Flush	No	0
Nobs	No Jack	0
Total		0

A “nineteen hand.” No combination of these cards totals exactly 15. No consecutive ranks for a run. No pairs. Called “nineteen” because 19 is an impossible cribbage score — saying you have 19 means you scored nothing.

Intermediate Hands

Hand 5: Double Run of Three (8 Points)

Hand: 6♠ 7♣ 7♥ 8♦ | Starter: K♠

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	7+8=15 (twice — two 7s)	4
Pairs	7-7	2
Runs	6-7-8 (twice — two 7s make two runs)	6
Flush	No	0
Nobs	No	0
Total		12

This is a double run of three: the pair of 7s creates two overlapping runs (6-7♠-8 and 6-7♥-8). Score the two runs of 3 = 6, plus the pair = 2, plus two fifteens = 4. Total: 12.

Hand 6: Run of Four with a Pair

Hand: 3♥ 4♠ 5♣ 5♦ | Starter: 6♦

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	3+6+5=14… 4+5+6=15 (twice), 5+4+6=15 (already counted same cards)	Let’s work through: 5♣+4+6=15, 5♦+4+6=15, 3+6+5♣=14?, 3+5+7? No 7. Check: 3+6+5=14 not 15. 5+10? No tens. So: two fifteens.
Pairs	5-5	2
Runs	3-4-5-6 (twice — two 5s)	8
Flush	No	0
Nobs	No	0
Total		14

Double run of four: the pair of 5s creates two runs of 4 (3-4-5♣-6 and 3-4-5♦-6) = 8 pts. Plus the pair = 2. Two fifteens (5+4+6 each) = 4. Total: 14.

Hand 7: Flush — Four Cards

Hand: 2♦ 5♦ 6♦ 9♦ | Starter: K♠

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	6+9=15	2
Pairs	None	0
Runs	None (2, 5, 6, 9 — not consecutive)	0
Flush	2♦ 5♦ 6♦ 9♦ all diamonds (starter K♠ doesn’t match)	4
Nobs	No Jack	0
Total		6

The flush scores 4 because all 4 hand cards are diamonds. The starter (K♠) doesn’t match, so it stays at 4, not 5. Only fifteen is 6+9=15.

Hand 8: Five-Card Flush

Hand: 4♥ 7♥ 8♥ J♥ | Starter: K♥

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	7+8=15	2
Pairs	None	0
Runs	None	0
Flush	All 5 cards hearts	5
Nobs	J♥ matches K♥ starter	1
Total		8

Five-card flush (all 5 hearts) = 5 pts. J♥ matches the starter suit = nobs (1 pt). Plus one fifteen (7+8=15). Total: 8.

Hand 9: Two Pairs with Fifteens

Hand: 5♠ 5♣ 10♥ Q♦ | Starter: 5♦

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	5+10=15, 5+10=15, 5+10=15, 5+Q=15, 5+Q=15, 5+Q=15, 5+5+5=15	14
Pairs	Three 5s = three of a kind	6
Runs	None	0
Flush	No	0
Nobs	No	0
Total		20

Three 5s create 3 fifteens with the 10 and 3 fifteens with the Q = 6 fifteens. All three 5s together = 15 = 1 more fifteen. Total: 7 fifteens = 14 pts. Three of a kind = 6 pts. Grand total: 20.

Advanced Hands

Hand 10: The Classic 24-Point Hand

Hand: 7♠ 7♥ 8♣ 8♦ | Starter: 9♣

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	7+8=15 (four combinations: 7♠+8♣, 7♠+8♦, 7♥+8♣, 7♥+8♦)	8
Pairs	7-7, 8-8	4
Runs	7♠-8♣-9, 7♠-8♦-9, 7♥-8♣-9, 7♥-8♦-9 = four runs of 3	12
Flush	No	0
Nobs	No	0
Total		24

Double-double run: two pairs embedded in a run of 3, creating four overlapping runs. Eight fifteens from the 7×8 combinations = 8 pts. Two pairs = 4 pts. Four runs of 3 = 12 pts. Total: 24 — one of several hand configurations that max out at 24.

Hand 11: Another 24-Point Hand (Different Pattern)

Hand: 6♣ 7♠ 7♥ 8♦ | Starter: 8♣

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	7+8=15: 7♠+8♦, 7♠+8♣, 7♥+8♦, 7♥+8♣	8
Pairs	7-7, 8-8	4
Runs	6-7♠-8♦, 6-7♠-8♣, 6-7♥-8♦, 6-7♥-8♣	12
Flush	No	0
Nobs	No	0
Total		24

Same 24-point structure, different run centre. The 6 shifts the run to 6-7-8. All four 7×8 combinations make fifteen. Double-double run + two pairs. Same total: 24.

Hand 12: Triple Run (15 Points)

Hand: 8♥ 8♣ 8♦ 9♠ | Starter: 7♦

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	8+7=15 (three 8s × one 7 = 3 fifteens)	6
Pairs	Three 8s = three of a kind	6
Runs	7-8♥-9, 7-8♣-9, 7-8♦-9 = three runs of 3	9
Flush	No	0
Nobs	No	0
Total		21

Triple run: three of a kind creates three overlapping runs of 3. Three fifteens (8+7) = 6 pts. Three of a kind = 6 pts. Three runs = 9 pts. Total: 21.

Hand 13: High Fifteen Count — No Run

Hand: 5♦ J♠ Q♣ K♥ | Starter: 5♣

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	5♦+J=15, 5♦+Q=15, 5♦+K=15, 5♣+J=15, 5♣+Q=15, 5♣+K=15, 5♦+5♣+5? No third 5.	12
Pairs	5♦-5♣	2
Runs	J-Q-K = run of 3	3
Flush	No	0
Nobs	J♠ — does starter 5♣ match spades? No.	0
Nobs check	Starter is 5♣ (clubs). J♠ is spades — no nobs.	0
Total		17

Six fifteens (each 5 with each face card) = 12 pts. Pair of 5s = 2 pts. Run J-Q-K = 3 pts. Total: 17.

Hand 14: Near-Perfect 5-5-5-J

Hand: 5♥ 5♦ 5♠ J♣ | Starter: Q♥

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	5♥+J=15, 5♦+J=15, 5♠+J=15, 5♥+Q=15, 5♦+Q=15, 5♠+Q=15, 5+5+5=15	14
Pairs	Three 5s = three of a kind	6
Runs	None	0
Flush	No	0
Nobs	J♣ — starter is Q♥ (hearts). J is clubs — no match.	0
Total		20

Seven fifteens = 14 pts. Three of a kind = 6 pts. Total: 20. If the starter had been the 5♣ matching the J♣’s suit, nobs would add 1 pt for 21. If the starter had been any 5, this becomes the 29-point hand.

Hand 15: The 29-Point Hand

Hand: 5♥ 5♦ 5♠ J♣ | Starter: 5♣

Step	Combinations	Points
Fifteens	Each 5 with J: 3. Each 5 with 5♣ starter… wait — count all five cards: 5♥+J, 5♦+J, 5♠+J, 5♣+J (all 4×5 with J = 4), plus pairs of 5s summing: 5+5+5=15 (four ways using three of the four 5s), no wait — 5+5+5=15 only sums three fives at once: choose 3 of 4 = 4 combos. Total: 4+4=8 fifteens.	16
Pairs	Four 5s = six pairs = 12 pts	12
Runs	None	0
Flush	No	0
Nobs	J♣ matches 5♣ starter (clubs)	1
Total		29

The maximum possible score. Eight fifteens = 16 pts. Four of a kind (five-card grouping includes all four 5s) = 12 pts. Nobs = 1 pt. Total: 29. Odds of being dealt this exact configuration: approximately 1 in 216,580.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting 3-card fifteens — “A+5+9=15” is easy to miss when fixated on 2-card pairs
Not counting the starter in runs — the starter card is part of every combination during the show
Skipping double run recognition — if you see a pair inside a run, immediately multiply
Missing nobs — check every Jack in your hand against the starter suit
Crib flush rule — a 4-card flush never counts in the crib; must be all 5 cards

For interactive practice, use the Score Calculator which shows the full breakdown for any hand you enter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard method for counting a cribbage hand?

Count in a fixed order every time: (1) Fifteens — find every combination of 2, 3, 4, or 5 cards that totals 15, scoring 2 pts each; (2) Pairs — 2 pts per pair, 6 pts for three of a kind, 12 pts for four of a kind; (3) Runs — 1 pt per card in any run of 3 or more; (4) Flush — 4 pts for 4-card same-suit hand, 5 pts if starter also matches; (5) Nobs — 1 pt if you hold a Jack matching the starter’s suit.

Can a card be used in more than one fifteen?

Yes. A single card can appear in multiple fifteens simultaneously. For example, if your hand is 5-5-5-J-K, the first 5 pairs with both the J and the K to make 15 (two fifteens), and all three 5s together also make 15. Each combination scores independently.

What is the highest a normal hand can score?

The maximum is 29 points (three 5s + Jack in hand, fourth 5 as starter of matching suit). The second highest achievable hands score 24 points — several combinations can reach 24, including 6-7-7-8-8 and 7-7-8-8-9.