OBJECT of the Game
The object of the game is to reach 121 points first. Players attempt to
form various counting combinations, such as pairs, triplets, four-of-a-kind,
sequences and 15's. Combinations can be made by the cards played, or in the
hands and Crib in conjunction with the UpCard.
A full deck of 52 cards is used to play 2-handed cribbage (you against
the computer). Ace is low with value 1, while King is high. All face cards
are value 10. All other cards are their face value.
The CRIB
After each player has had six cards dealt to him, the "Crib" is formed
by each player discarding 2 cards facedown. The Crib belongs to the dealer
and is not used until the hand has been played out. The dealer scores any
points contained in the Crib, combined with the UpCard.
The UpCard
The dealer's opponent cuts the deck and turns up the top card on the
lower portion of the deck. In this game, the cut is simulated by choosing
a card number from 1-40. This "UpCard" is turned face-up on top of
the remaining deck and is used only during the counting of points in the hands
and the Crib. If the UpCard is a Jack, (called "Nobs"), the dealer gets 2 pts.
If a player's hand contains the Jack of the UpCard suit, 1 point is scored.
METHOD of PLAY
The opponent plays any card from his hand face-up on the table in front
of him, at the same time announcing the numerical value of the card. Dealer
then plays a card, and announces the value of the sum of his card and the
opponent's card. The total sum of all cards played cannot exceed 31 points.
(In this respect, Cribbage is similar to Blackjack).
The GO
If a player has no unplayed card which will play within the 31 limit, he
announces "Go". This entitles the opponent to play and continue to play until
he reaches 31, or until impossible for him to play without exceeding 31.
The player who most closely approaches 31 scores 1 point (the "last" card
prior to exceeding 31). If he makes 31 exactly, he scores 2 points. Once a
"last" card has been played, the player whose next turn it is begins play again exactly as before,
from the remaining cards in his hand, starting with a fresh total count. This
manner of play is continued until both hands are played out. In no event can
a player exceed 31. The players must always play alternately except when there
is a Go, and the other can still play more cards.
POINTS of PLAY
Fifteen - if a player plays a card, making the numerical total of the cards
played exactly 15, he scores 2 points, and announces "fifteen-two".
Pairs - if either player plays a card which makes a pair (ie. two 6's or
two Jacks), he scores 2 points.
Triplets - if, after a pair has been played, either player immediately plays
another card of the same denomination, the third card scores 6
points ( for 3 pairs).
Fours - if a fourth card of the same denomination is played (as in triplets
above), the fourth card scores 12 points ( 6 pairs).
Sequences - when 3 or more cards, all in numerical sequence, are played, the
player of the last card counts 1 point for each card in the
sequence, even though they are not played in numerical rotation.
Thus, 10-Queen-Jack scores 3 points. Ace-King-Queen is NOT a
sequence, since Ace is scored as 1. An intervening card breaks
the sequence. Thus 5-4-3, 3. The 2nd 3 is not a sequence, but the
5-4-3 is.
Flushes - If all four cards in a hand are the same suit, 4 points are
scored. If the flush suit matches the UpCard card, 5 points are
scored.
Final Scoring
Once both players' hands have been played out, each player takes his cards
and calculates any possible points earned by making Fifteens, pairs, triplets,
and fours (as described above), merging the UpCard card in as part of the
hand for counting purposes. Each player uses the UpCard card for scoring.
The dealer also scores the crib as a second hand, separately from his regular
hand, but also using the UpCard card as above.
Any time a player overlooks scoring valid points, his opponent is entitled to
take the points overlooked, ie. 14 earned, only 10 recognized, opponent scores
4 points.
First person to reach 121 points wins, thus counting first when just a few
points away from winning can be very critical.
