by Ransom Noble

Created on: February 27, 2009

Cribbage is a card game that requires a board, pegs, and a deck of cards. The board and pegs work together; all scored points are marked by moving the pegs that number of holes on the board. This process is referred to as pegging' points. Points are pegged on the cribbage board which is pre-marked with holes for ease of scoring. Often holes in the board are in groups of five; sometimes with lines every ten points. Game is to 121 points, but does not need to be reached exactly. Many boards are marked with skunk lines at 90 points.

The basic concept is to play cards to add up to a count of 31. When 31 is reached with cards remaining in players' hands, the count begins again at zero. This continues until the cards in players' hands have been played. First dealer is chosen by cutting the deck; the player who cuts the lower card deals first.

For two players, each is dealt six cards facedown. Four cards stay to create the hand and two are put in the crib'. When players have chosen, the dealer puts the crib to the side; it will not be used until play has ended. The other player then cuts the deck, with the dealer turning the top card of the cut up. The upturned cut card is only used for scoring hand points, unless it's
a Jack which is scored immediately.

The non-dealer begins play by choosing one of his four cards, laying it face up on the table in front of him, and saying the count. Ace counts for one, numbered cards count as their face value (2-10) and face cards count as ten. The dealer plays second, placing a card in front of him but not on top of the other player's card and adding to the count. Each player keeps his cards separated during play to avoid confusion when hands are scored. Play continues until someone either reaches 31 exactly or neither player can play another card and stay below that number. If someone reaches 15 or 31 exactly, that player pegs 2 points each time. If one player cannot play a card below 31, he says go'
and the opposite player pegs one point for each card until he, too, cannot play. This player is still eligible for the 2 pegging points if he reaches 31 exactly. The final card played also gets one pegging point.

The hand ends when both players are out of cards. If one player runs out of cards first, the other does not get points for a go'. There are other instances to gain points while pegging, like playing a pair. This is accomplished by matching your opponent's card on the next play. Example: If the dealer plays a six, then the other

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