Printable Cribbage Rules For Beginners

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Cribbage is a popular card game that has been enjoyed for centuries, and its unique blend of strategy and luck makes it a great game for players of all skill levels. If you're new to cribbage, understanding the rules can seem daunting, but with this guide, you'll be well on your way to becoming a proficient player.

The objective of cribbage is to be the first player to score 121 points or more. Points are scored by forming combinations of cards that add up to 15, forming pairs, runs, and combinations of cards in the hand and the crib. The crib is a set of cards that is set aside at the beginning of each game and belongs to the dealer.

Number of Players and Equipment

Cribbage can be played with 2-4 players. The game requires a standard deck of 52 cards, without jokers, and a cribbage board with holes for scoring.

Deck and Card Values

The deck consists of 52 cards, with the Ace being the lowest card and the King being the highest. The cards have the following values:

• Ace: 1 point
• 2-10: Face value
• Jack: 10 points
• Queen: 10 points
• King: 10 points

Setup and Dealing

To set up the game, the deck is shuffled, and each player is dealt 6 cards. The remaining cards are placed face down on the table, with the top card turned over to form the discard pile.

The Crib

The dealer sets aside 4 cards, face down, to form the crib. The crib belongs to the dealer and is counted as part of their hand.

Gameplay

The player to the left of the dealer goes first, and then play moves clockwise. Each player's turn consists of two parts: the play and the discard.

The Play

The player draws a card from the deck and tries to form combinations of cards that add up to 15, or form pairs, runs, or combinations of cards in the hand and the crib. The player can use the starter card (the top card on the discard pile) to form combinations.

The Discard

After the player has formed combinations, they discard one card from their hand face up on top of the discard pile.

Scoring

Points are scored for the following combinations:

• Pairs: 2 points for two cards of the same rank
• Runs: 3 points for three cards of the same suit in sequential order (e.g., 3-4-5 of hearts)
• Fifteens: 2 points for combinations of cards that add up to 15 (e.g., 5-5-5 or 2-3-10)
• Combinations: 1 point for each card in a combination of three or four cards in the same suit in sequential order (e.g., 3-4-5-6 of hearts)

The crib is counted as part of the dealer's hand, and points are scored for combinations in the crib.

Winning the Game

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

Common Terms

• "Go": When a player cannot form a combination, they say "go" and the next player takes their turn.
• "Thirty-one for two": When a player forms a combination that adds up to 31, they score 2 points.
• "His heels": When the starter card is a Jack, the dealer scores 1 point.

Tips for Beginners

• Pay attention to the cards that have been discarded to figure out what combinations are possible.
• Try to keep a balanced hand with a mix of high and low cards.
• Use the crib to your advantage by forming combinations with the cards in the crib.

By following these rules and tips, you'll be well on your way to becoming a proficient cribbage player. Happy gaming!

We hope you found this guide to printable cribbage rules for beginners helpful. Do you have any questions about cribbage or would you like to share your favorite cribbage strategies? Let us know in the comments below!