Cribbage Pegging Strategy

The play phase (pegging) is where many games are won and lost. While hand values depend heavily on luck, pegging is the phase where skill has the greatest relative impact.

The Basics of Pegging

During the play phase, players alternate playing cards, keeping a running count up to 31. Points are scored for:

• Fifteens (count reaches exactly 15): 2 points
• Pairs (playing a card of the same rank): 2 points
• Pairs Royal (three of the same rank): 6 points
• Double Pairs Royal (four of the same rank): 12 points
• Runs (3+ consecutive ranks in sequence played): length of run
• 31 (count reaches exactly 31): 2 points
• Go (opponent can’t play, you get last card): 1 point

Opening Leads (Pone)

As pone (non-dealer), you lead the first card. Your lead sets the tone for the entire play phase.

Lead Safety Rankings

Strategic Lead Choices

Leading from a Pair:

• Lead one card from a pair to bait a pair response
• If opponent pairs you, play your second card for pair royal (6 points)
• Risk: opponent might have the fourth card for double pair royal (12 points)
• Best when: behind on the board, or the pair is an uncommon value (A, 2, 3)

Leading to Set Up a Run:

• If you hold 3-4-5-X, leading the 4 can set up run scoring
• Opponent might play a 3 or 5, allowing you to extend
• Risk: opponent reads the setup and plays off-sequence

Responding to Leads

Best Responses by Count

The Safe Response

When you can’t score, play a card that makes the count:

• ≥ 22: Opponent can’t easily make 31
• Between 22 and 26: Safest range — difficult for opponent to score
• Avoid making 5, 10, 15, 21: These invite easy opponent scoring

The Magic Counts

Certain running counts are strategically significant:

Counts to Reach

• 15: Score 2 points
• 21: Forces opponent to either go or give you 31 (if they play a ten-card)
• 31: Score 2 points
• 22-26: “Safe zone” — hard for opponent to make 31 from here

Counts to Avoid Leaving

• 5: 16 ten-value cards can make 15 (worst count to leave)
• 10: 4 fives plus other combinations can reach 15
• 21: Opponent might reach 31 with a ten-card
• 11: Easy fifteen with a 4

Run Play (Sequences)

Runs during pegging are powerful — a 4-card run scores 4 points. Understanding run dynamics is crucial.

Building Runs

• If opponent plays 7, you play 6, they play 8 → they score a 3-card run (3 points)
• If you then play 5 or 9 → you score a 4-card run (4 points)

Breaking Runs

• If opponent seems to be building a run, play an out-of-sequence card
• Example: They play 7, you play 7 (pair for 2) instead of 6 or 8
• This scores 2 points AND breaks their run potential

The Inside-Outside Principle

• Runs can be extended from either end: 4-5-6 can grow with a 3 or 7
• When holding cards on both ends of your opponent’s sequence, consider which extension is better
• The card that extends AND creates a fifteen is ideal

Go and Last Card Strategy

Forcing a Go

• Play cards that push the count to 25-26 — opponent needs a 5 or 6 to play, and can’t make 31
• Hold an Ace as your last card — with any count of 28-30, you can play for a Go or hit 31

Last Card Advantage

The dealer has a structural advantage in pegging because they’re more likely to play the last card in a count cycle.

As dealer:

• Hold low cards (A, 2, 3) that let you play when the count is high
• Aim to be the one who finishes each counting cycle

As pone:

• Try to force the dealer to use their low cards early
• Don’t let the dealer consistently play last

Defensive Pegging

When you’re ahead and want to protect your lead:

Key Principles

1. Don’t pair — the risk of being tripled isn’t worth 2 points
2. Don’t extend runs — play off-sequence cards
3. Play to the safe zone (22-26) quickly
4. Dump high cards when the count is 21+ (they can’t be scored against)
5. Sacrifice your own scoring to prevent opponent’s points

The “10-A” Defense

Hold a ten-card and an Ace. Whatever the count:

• Play the ten-card when the count allows (making the count high)
• Use the Ace to pick up a Go point or reach 31

Passive Leading

When leading a new count after a Go:

• Lead your highest card — this limits what the opponent can do
• A King lead establishes count at 10 — opponent can make 15 with a 5 (risky) or pair (risky for you)
• But it burns your high card and you might play low cards later for Go points

Aggressive Pegging

When you’re behind and need to catch up:

Key Principles

1. Pair aggressively — the 2 points are worth the risk of being tripled
2. Build runs — lead consecutive cards to invite sequence play
3. Aim for fifteens at every opportunity
4. Gamble on traps — lead from pairs hoping to score pair royal
5. Try to play last in each counting cycle for Go points

The Pair Trap

1. Hold a pair (e.g., two 7s)
2. Lead one 7
3. If opponent pairs you (score: them 2), play your second 7 (score: you 6)
4. Net gain: +4 points

This works best with:

• Low cards (opponent is more likely to pair a 3 than a King)
• Cards that don’t make the count dangerous (e.g., a pair of 4s, count goes to 12)

Run Traps

1. Hold sequence cards (e.g., 5-6-7)
2. Lead the middle card (6)
3. Opponent plays a 5 or 7 → run of 2
4. You play the end card → run of 3 (3 points)
5. Or opponent plays something else → no loss

Card Counting During Pegging

Track which cards have been played:

Why It Matters

• Knowing what’s been played tells you what hasn’t been played
• If three Kings have appeared, the fourth won’t show up — safe to play near ten-counts
• If no 5s have appeared, assume opponent may hold one — don’t leave count at 10

Practical Tracking

You don’t need to count all 52 cards. Focus on:

• 5s: How many have been played? (Critical for fifteen avoidance)
• Face cards: How many remain? (Affects count of 5 danger)
• Opponent’s played cards: What might they still hold?
• Suit distribution: Relevant only if you suspect a flush

Pegging Points Summary

Average pegging per player per hand: ~2-3 points

Practice Drills

1. Lead practice: Deal 4 cards, choose the best opening lead, and explain why
2. Response practice: Have a friend lead, practice finding the optimal response
3. Defensive drill: Play 10 hands focused entirely on minimizing opponent’s pegging
4. Aggressive drill: Play 10 hands focused entirely on maximizing your pegging

Master the other dimensions of strategy:

• Discard strategy — what to keep and throw
• Board position and endgame play
• Test your pegging skills in a game