A review of Cribbage, and good-bye to grandma

This week has been a very low point for my family. My grandmother passed away on Tuesday. So I decided that today I am going to talk about the game she would most often play with me. The game of Cribbage (or crib for short) This game has been a staple at the game table for my mothers side of the family so I have a great deal of nostalgia for it. This game was taught to each of the children in the family as it is a fun way to learn to count and add. The game is slightly complex to learn but the replayability is high.

To start off all you need is a deck of cards (do not use jokers) and crib board, which any game store should have (at least if they are worth shopping at) The game is typically played by two people, however there are rules variations for more players. Our family often played with four people working in pairs. People sitting opposite of each other would score the same set of pegs.

To start the game select your pegs and the lane you will use on the crib board. Then deal out enough cards so each player has a 4 card hand. Then continue dealing a further 4 cards total. For odd numbers of players any cards that would make player card totals uneven get placed aside face down into the crib. Players will latter throw cards into a 4 card "crib" which the dealer will later use for points.

Once everyone is back to a 4 card hand the next player clockwise from the dealer cuts the deck and the top card is turned over. This card will be used by all players for scoring. If this card is a jack it is counted as nibs and is worth 2 points to the dealer.

Now the first cycle of scoring for that hand will begin. play proceeds clockwise with each player laying a card in front of him/herself and announcing the cumulative total. For instance if the first card is a face card the count is 10. If the following player plays a 6 the total is 16. This total cannot go above 31. Once players can no longer play (the total is 31 or players card values and the total count will go above 31) the last player to play a card scores a point (or 2 points for a count of 31) Play then proceeds with the next player clockwise restarting the count. Repeat this play until no player holds cards. Points are scored in this round by making pairs (2 points) triplets (6 points) four of a kind (12 points) runs of three or more cards (1 point per card) or a count of 15 (2 points)

Once the play round has been completed the show scoring round begins. Players proceed around the table starting clockwise from the dealer. The player then scores their hand including the "cut" card. points are scored for pairs (2 points) triplets (6 points) four of a kind (12 points) runs of three or more cards (1 point per card) or a count of 15 (2 points) flush (5 points) a jack the same suit as the cut card (1 point). Runs can also be counted in multiples ex 2, 2, 3, 4 which would be worth 2 separate 3 card runs and a pair (or 8 points)

After the dealer scores his/her hand the dealer then turns over the crib and scores with it.

Continue playing in this manner passing the role of dealer to the next player clockwise. The game ends when one player reaches the total of 121 points.

Some terms to learn
19 hand- this is an impossible point count for a hand so this actually means a score of 0
29 hand - the highest scoring hand, consists of 3x 5's and a jack, the jack is a different suit than the 5's in the hand, the starter card turned over is then a 5 of the same suit as the jack.
Go- indicates the inability to play a card in the play round (cards in hand will push the count above 31). The next player clockwise then proceeds with play.
Stink Hole- the 120 point peg hole. Not quite winning, and it stinks to lose in this position.
Skunk- A player is said to be skunked when they lose by 31 points or more
double skunk- when a player loses by 61 points or more.
Muggins- An opponent takes points for those missed by another player. This is only allowed if all players agree on it prior to play commencing play.

Travel board

To sum up Cribbage is an old game but it's a classic. The rules are a little complicated with the level of memorization of points and card combinations. This is a fantastic social game to play and it's something that can build memories and bonds between the generations. Kids if your grandparents ask you to play crib with them do it. This will be a memory you will cherish later in life an can be quite a tradition.