Cribbage Scoring Explained
This page covers every way to score in cribbage, with examples. To check a particular hand, use the cribbage score calculator. For how a game is played, see How to Play Cribbage.
Scoring at the start of the hand
| Event | Who scores | Points |
|---|---|---|
| His heels: the starter is a Jack | Dealer | 2 |
Scoring during the play (pegging)
| Event | Points |
|---|---|
| Making the count exactly 15 | 2 |
| Making the count exactly 31 | 2 |
| Pair (same rank as the card just played) | 2 |
| Three of a kind in a row | 6 |
| Four of a kind in a row | 12 |
| Run of 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 among the latest cards (any order) | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Go: last card before neither player can play | 1 |
| Last card of the hand | 1 (not if it made 31) |
A card can score several things at once: playing a 5 on 4-6 makes a run of three and 15, for 5 points.
Scoring in the show
| Combination | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fifteen | 2 each | Every different group of cards adding to 15 |
| Pair | 2 each | Three of a kind is 3 pairs (6); four of a kind is 6 pairs (12) |
| Run | 1 per card | Only the longest runs count; each different combination counts |
| Hand flush | 4 or 5 | 4 cards of one suit in hand; +1 if the starter matches |
| Crib flush | 5 | All five cards (crib + starter) must match |
| Nobs | 1 | Jack in hand or crib of the starter's suit |
How to count a hand quickly
Count in a fixed order so nothing is missed: fifteens, then pairs, then runs, then flush, then nobs. Say the running total out loud: "fifteen two, fifteen four, a pair is six…"
- Fifteens: 6+9, 7+8, 7+8 = 6
- Pair of 8s: 2
- Runs: 6-7-8-9 twice (once with each 8) = 8
- Total: 16
- Run of five: 5
- Flush with a matching starter: 5
- Nobs (Jack of hearts, heart starter): 1
- Total: 11
Double runs and other big patterns
| Pattern | Example | Points (without fifteens) |
|---|---|---|
| Double run of 3 | 3-4-5-5 | 8 |
| Double run of 4 | A-2-3-4-4 | 10 |
| Triple run | 7-7-7-8-9 | 15 |
| Double double run | 3-3-4-4-5 | 16 |
Impossible scores
No hand can score 19, 25, 26 or 27. A worthless hand is called "nineteen" as a joke for that reason.
The 29 hand
- 15s: each Jack + 5 (4 ways) and each three-5 group (4 ways): 8 fifteens = 16
- Four 5s: six pairs = 12
- Nobs: Jack of spades with a spade starter = 1
- Total: 29
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest possible cribbage hand?
29 points: 5-5-5-J in hand with the fourth 5 as the starter, in the same suit as the Jack. A 19 is impossible, which is why players say "nineteen" for a hand worth nothing.
How do you count a double run?
A double run of three, such as 3-4-5-5, is two separate runs of three (6) plus a pair (2), so 8 before fifteens. A double double run (3-3-4-4-5) is four runs of three (12) plus two pairs (4) = 16.
Is the starter used in every hand?
Yes. Both players' hands and the crib each count with the starter as a fifth card.
Last updated 2026-10-17