How to Play Cribbage for Beginners: A Simple Guide to Score Points

Cribbage is one of those games that sounds complicated but is actually pretty easy to pick up — especially when you're playing with the family.

I remember the first time I tried to play cribbage with a relative a few years ago. I was nervous because I'd heard it was tricky, but honestly, once you get the hang of it, it's just a fun way to pass the time. The main thing is that it’s not about being perfect — it’s about enjoying the game and the conversation around it.

What You Need

All you need is a standard 52-card deck and four players (though you can play with fewer if needed). You’ll also want some way to keep score, like a pencil and paper or a digital tracker. In our house, we use a whiteboard and write down points after each hand.

How to Deal and Set Up

Each player gets six cards. Then, you split the remaining cards into two piles: one for each player to add to their "crib" — a special hand that's scored separately. You deal them face-down and then flip the top card to start the discard pile.

Playing the Cards

Players take turns laying down cards from their hand, aiming to make combinations that score points. The total value of the cards laid down must not exceed 31. If you go over, you get nothing for that round.

Let’s say you lay down a 7, then your opponent lays down a 4. That’s 11. Then you play a 3, making 14. You can continue until someone reaches 31 or runs out of playable cards.

Scoring Points

There are several ways to score in cribbage:

Fifteen: If the sum of the cards equals 15, you get 2 points.
Pair: If you have two cards of the same rank, that’s worth 2 points.
Run: If you have consecutive cards (like 5, 6, 7), you get points equal to the number of cards in the run.
Flush: If all the cards in your hand are the same suit, you get points equal to the number of cards in the hand.
Nobs: If you have the Jack of the same suit as the starter card, that’s worth 1 point.

The goal is to get as close to 31 points as possible without going over.

The Crib Hand

After the main hands are played, each player adds two cards from their hand to their crib — a separate hand that’s scored later. The dealer gets to decide which two cards go into the crib. Once the crib is set, the dealer also gets to count points from it.

Tips for New Players

Don’t worry about memorizing every combination at first. Focus on learning the basic scoring rules.
Practice with a friend or family member before trying to go solo.
Remember, the game isn’t about winning — it’s about having fun and staying engaged.

Try It With Family Time

Playing cribbage with the family doesn’t have to mean being in the same room. At Family Time, you can play a full game with the kids or relatives across the country.

Whether you're looking to learn a new game or just want to spend time with loved ones, playing cribbage on Family Time is a great way to connect.

So grab a deck and give it a shot — the rules are simple, and the fun is guaranteed.