Discard 2

Deal → Discard → Pegging → Show → Crib

Cribbage rules, scoring and decisions

Cribbage is a two-player card game in which every card can matter during pegging and again during the show. Pegline uses standard two-player rules: deal six each, discard two each to the dealer’s crib, peg without passing 31, then count the non-dealer hand, dealer hand and crib. Sprint ends immediately at 61; Classic ends immediately at 121.

Rules version and update: standard-two-player-2026.07 · 2026-08-13

Deal and discardEach player receives six cards and selects exactly two for the dealer’s crib.
PeggingThe non-dealer leads. Players alternate legal cards while the running count stays at or below 31.
ShowScore the non-dealer hand, then dealer hand, then dealer crib, always with the starter.
WinThe first player to reach the target wins immediately, even during heels, pegging or the show.

Cribbage scoring table

Rule	Points	Definition and example
Fifteen	2	Any distinct card combination totaling 15; for example 5 + K.
Pair	2	Two cards of one rank; three consecutive matching ranks score 6 and four score 12 in pegging.
Run	card count	Three or more consecutive ranks; order does not matter in a hand, but pegging uses the longest suffix.
Flush	4 or 5	A four-card hand flush scores 4, or 5 with a matching starter; a crib flush requires all five.
Nobs	1	A Jack in the hand or crib matching the starter’s suit.
Heels	2	A Jack starter gives the dealer 2 before pegging begins.

Cribbage FAQ

What is the crib?: Four discarded cards owned and counted by the dealer after both hands.
What does Go mean?: A player cannot play without exceeding 31; the opponent may continue, then the last player scores 1 unless 31 already scored.
Is Sprint 61 a different ruleset?: No. It is the same complete two-player sequence with a shorter target; Classic uses 121.