Cribbage Scoring
Cribbage scoring happens in two places: during pegging, while players alternate cards toward 31, and during hand counting, when each hand is combined with the starter card. This page focuses on the point values and examples that players need most often.
Quick scoring chart
| Score | Points | When it counts |
|---|---|---|
| Fifteen | 2 | Pegging and hand counting |
| Pair | 2 | Pegging and hand counting |
| Three of a kind | 6 | Counts as three separate pairs |
| Four of a kind | 12 | Counts as six separate pairs |
| Run | 1 per card | Pegging and hand counting |
| Flush | 4 or 5 | Hand counting; crib flush usually needs all five cards |
| Nobs | 1 | Jack in hand matches starter suit |
| Go or last card | 1 | Pegging |
| Exactly 31 | 2 | Pegging |
Counting a cribbage hand
A hand count uses five cards: your four hand cards plus the starter. Count every unique fifteen, every pair, every run, any flush, and one for nobs if your hand contains a jack matching the starter suit.
The common beginner mistake is counting only the obvious combinations. Cribbage rewards every separate combination. If two different fives can pair with the same ten-value card, those are two different fifteens.
Examples
Hand: 5, 5, 10, K with a Q starter. Each 5 can combine with each 10-value card. That creates six fifteens for twelve points, plus one pair of fives for two points. Total: fourteen.
Hand: 7, 8, 8, 9 with a 2 starter. There are two separate 7-8-9 runs because either 8 can be used. That scores six for the double run plus two for the pair of eights. Total: eight.
Hand: J of hearts, 4 of hearts, 7 of hearts, 9 of hearts with a 2 of hearts starter. The hand scores five for the flush and one for nobs because the jack matches the starter suit. Any fifteens or runs would be added separately.
Pegging points
Pegging points happen immediately. Making the running total exactly 15 scores two. Making exactly 31 scores two. Pairing the previous card scores two, and longer matching groups score six or twelve. Runs score when the most recent cards can be rearranged into consecutive ranks.
If a player cannot play without going over 31, they say go. The other player continues if possible. When no more legal card can be played, the player who made the last card scores one unless they already scored two for exactly 31.
Scoring order and crib points
After pegging ends, the non-dealer counts first, then the dealer counts, then the dealer counts the crib. The crib uses the same fifteen, pair, run, and nobs rules as a regular hand, but crib flushes are stricter at many tables: all five cards usually need to share the same suit.
Counting in this order matters because cribbage is a race. If the non-dealer reaches the finish while counting hand points, the dealer does not get to count their hand or crib. That is why pegging and the first hand count can decide a close game before the crib is ever scored.