Free Printable Cribbage Rules And Instructions

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Cribbage is a classic card game that has been enjoyed by people of all ages for centuries. It's a great way to spend time with friends and family, and it's also a fantastic way to exercise your brain and improve your math skills. But if you're new to the game, it can be a bit overwhelming to learn the rules and instructions. That's why we've created a comprehensive guide to help you get started.

What is Cribbage?

Cribbage is a card game that involves counting points for pairs, runs, and combinations of cards. It's typically played with two to four players, and the objective is to be the first player to score 121 points or more.

Equipment Needed

To play cribbage, you'll need a few pieces of equipment:

• A standard deck of 52 cards (without jokers)
• A cribbage board with holes for scoring
• A pen or pencil for scoring
• A set of cribbage pegs (small markers that fit into the holes on the board)

Setting Up the Game

Before you start playing, you'll need to set up the game. Here's how:

• Shuffle the deck and deal six cards to each player.
• Place the remaining cards in a face-down deck.
• The top card of the deck is turned over and placed beside the deck. This card is the "starter" card.
• The player to the left of the dealer goes first.

How to Play Cribbage

The gameplay is divided into several phases:

The Play Phase

During the play phase, players take turns playing cards from their hand. Here's how:

• The first player draws a card from the deck and plays a card from their hand that matches the starter card (either by rank or suit).
• The next player to the left then plays a card from their hand that matches the previous card (either by rank or suit).
• Players continue to play cards until one player cannot play a card that matches the previous card.
• That player then says "go" and the next player to the left starts a new sequence of cards.

The Crib Phase

After the play phase, the dealer sets aside four cards from their hand to form the "crib." The crib is a special hand that belongs to the dealer and is used to score points.

The Show Phase

During the show phase, players score points for their hand. Here's how:

• Players score points for pairs, runs, and combinations of cards in their hand.
• The player with the highest score at the end of the show phase gets to move their peg on the board.

Scoring Points

Here are the scoring rules for cribbage:

• Pairs: two cards of the same rank score 2 points.
• Runs: three or more cards of the same suit in sequential order (e.g., 3-4-5 of hearts) score 3 points for three cards, 4 points for four cards, and so on.
• Combinations: three or four cards of the same rank score 6 points for three cards and 12 points for four cards.
• Fifteen: if the player's hand contains a combination of cards that adds up to 15 (e.g., 5-5-5 or 2-3-10), they score 2 points.

Winning the Game

The game continues until one player reaches 121 points or more. That player is the winner.

Free Printable Cribbage Rules and Instructions

To help you get started with cribbage, we've created a free printable cribbage rules and instructions sheet. This sheet includes a comprehensive guide to the game, including the equipment needed, how to set up the game, and the scoring rules.

Conclusion

Cribbage is a fun and challenging card game that's perfect for players of all ages. With our free printable cribbage rules and instructions sheet, you'll be able to learn the game quickly and easily. So gather your friends and family and start playing today!