Cribbage, the classic card game, has been a favorite pastime for many people over the years. Whether you’re a seasoned player or someone who’s just starting to learn, understanding the rules is key to playing a good game. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with this printable cribbage rules guide! To start, let’s talk about the basics of cribbage. The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, with the objective being to score points by creating various combinations of cards. Two players are needed to play, with each player being dealt six cards. The game is typically played to 121 points, although some players may choose to play to a different number. One of the most important aspects of cribbage is understanding how to score points. The game has several different combinations that can be used to score points, including pairs, runs, and flushes. To begin the game, the dealer will flip over the top card of the deck, and the players will take turns placing cards on top of it, with the goal being to create runs or pairs that will allow them to score points. Now let’s dive into the rules of the game a bit more. Firstly, the dealer will deal six cards to each player, with each player discarding two cards into a separate pile. These discarded cards will later be scored as part of the “crib”. Once the two players have each discarded two cards, the dealer will then cut the deck and turn over the top card, which will be referred to as the “starter” card. From here, the players will alternate turns, starting with the non-dealer. Each turn, the player will lay down a card, and the total of all the cards laid down so far will be tracked on a “peg board”. The objective is to create combinations of cards that will allow the player to reach exactly 15 points, or to create runs, pairs, or flushes that will earn them points. A player can continue laying down cards until they can no longer create a combination that will score points. Once both players have laid down all their cards, they will score their hands based on the points they have earned. If a player is able to create a combination using their discarded cards, they will score additional points as part of the crib. The player who reached the target score first, typically 121 points, wins the game. But what about the nitty-gritty details of scoring? Pairs score two points, runs of three or more cards score one point per card, flushes score based on the number of cards that are the same suit, and combinations that add up to exactly 15 points score two points. Each game of cribbage also has the potential for bonus points, including “goes” and “lurches”. With all that in mind, it’s easy to see why cribbage has remained a beloved game over the years. This printable cribbage rules guide makes it easy to get started with the game, and with a bit of practice, you’ll be scoring points like a pro in no time! So what are you waiting for? Grab a deck of cards, download our printable cribbage rules guide, and start playing today!
