The Muggins Rule in Cribbage

The muggins rule is one of the most debated optional rules in cribbage. It rewards accurate counting, punishes errors, and adds a layer of vigilance that transforms casual scoring into a competitive skill.

What Is Muggins?

Muggins (sometimes called “cutthroat counting”) is an optional rule that allows a player to claim any points that their opponent fails to count during the show (hand counting) phase.

How It Works

1. A player counts their hand and announces their score
2. If they miss any points, their opponent can call “Muggins!” before the next hand is dealt
3. The opponent then claims the missed points and pegs them for themselves
4. The original player does not get to add the missed points to their own score

Example

Your opponent counts their hand: “Fifteen-two, fifteen-four, and a pair for six.” They peg 6 points.

You look at their hand and notice they missed a run of three worth 3 points.

You say “Muggins!” and peg 3 points for yourself.

When to Play with Muggins

Tournament Play

Muggins is mandatory in American Cribbage Congress (ACC) sanctioned tournaments. It’s a core competitive rule that rewards careful attention and punishes sloppy counting.

Casual Play

In casual games, muggins is optional and should be agreed upon before the game starts. Many casual players prefer not to use it, especially when playing with mixed skill levels.

Recommended Situations

• Both players are experienced counters
• You want to simulate tournament conditions
• You want to sharpen your counting skills
• Both players agree before the game starts

Not Recommended

• Playing with beginners who are still learning to count
• Mixed skill level games where it creates unfair advantage
• When it would diminish enjoyment of the game

Strategy Implications

For the Counter

• Count carefully and systematically — use the same counting order every time (fifteens, pairs, runs, flushes, nobs)
• Take your time — accuracy matters more than speed
• Double-check before announcing your total
• Include all cards — don’t forget the starter card

For the Opponent

• Watch carefully as your opponent counts
• Keep a mental count alongside them
• Know common missed points — three-card fifteens are most commonly overlooked
• Call muggins promptly — you typically must call it before the cards are gathered up

Commonly Missed Points

The most frequently overlooked scoring combinations:

1. Three-card or four-card fifteens — Players often find two-card 15s but miss larger combinations
2. Runs involving the starter — Easy to forget the cut card completes a run
3. Nobs — The 1-point Jack matching the starter’s suit is commonly overlooked
4. Multiple fifteens with pairs — When duplicate cards create additional 15 combinations
5. Flush with starter — Remembering to check if the starter completes a 5-card flush

Muggins Etiquette

Even when playing with muggins, good sportsmanship matters:

• Agree on the rule before starting — never surprise someone with muggins mid-game
• Be gracious — claiming muggins is part of the game, not a personal attack
• Help beginners — if teaching someone, point out missed points as a learning moment before implementing muggins
• Be fair — count honestly when it’s your turn

Practicing Against Muggins

Use our Score Calculator to practice counting hands accurately. Enter different card combinations and check your mental count against the calculator’s result. Over time, you’ll develop the accuracy needed to never lose points to muggins — and to catch your opponents’ mistakes when they do.

Ready to test your counting under pressure? Play cribbage online and practice your skills!