How to Count Cards in Cribbage without a Cribbage Board

Cribbage is a popular card game. Do you get overwhelmed when you hear some one speedily say 15-2, 15-4, pair for 6? A good way to learn to count cribbage cards fast is to complete the following steps over and over and over.

Things You'll Need

• Deck of Cards

Instructions

1. 

   There will be five hands of cards. Place the first card face down.

2. 

   Place cards, 2, 3, 4, and 5 face up each in a separate hand.

3. 

   Place the next card face down on hand one.

4. 

   Place the next four cards face up on whichever card seems appropriate. The goal is to get as many "15's" as you can in each hand.

5. 

   Repeat Steps 3 and 4 two more times.

6. 

   Place the next card face up on the cards that are face down. This is the crib.

7. Using the up card as the crib card, count the cards in each hand for one total.
   Answer: First Hand Face Up--pair for two
   Second Hand Face Up--15-2, pair=four
   Third Hand Face Up--15-2, 15-4, 15-6, pair=8
   Fourth Hand Face Up--15-2, 15-4, 15-6, run of 3=9
   Total so far=23

8. 

   Turn over the "face down" cards and count that hand as well.
   Answer: 15-2, 15-4, 15-6, 15-8. Final Total is 31.

Tips & Warnings

• This should give you practice in recognizing 15's, pairs, double runs, three of a kind, etc.

• Practice, Practice, Practice!