How to Score the Winning Point in Cribbage
Cribbage is a game that is played with a deck of cards and a cribbage board. The board is used to keep score, and the cards are used to create points during game play. As the game is played, players take turns lying down their cards one at a time, adding them up to reach 31 points. To win, a player must be the first to reach 121 points. It is important to arrange the cards in your hand to gain maximum points, but it is equally important to play the cards in the correct order to acquire additional points. Gaining these smaller, additional points while lying cards down may help score the winning point.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Use strategy with your cards. Watch your opponent closely to determine which card you should lie down next. Create runs, pairs and sums of 15 and 31 to gain the additional points that may score you the winning point at the end of the game.
-
2
Make a sum of 15 with the cards. While each player lays down his or her hand, play off the cards to gain points. If the other player puts down a 10 or face card (which equals 10), try to play a five if you have one. This adds up to 15 points, as does playing a 10 or face card on top of another player's five. This awards you two additional points that you take immediately, without waiting to add up the rest of the cards.
-
-
3
Throw a pair during game play. Lay down a matching card after another player to create a pair and gain two points. These points are taken immediately as well, which may give the advantage of gaining the last point needed to win.
-
4
Create a run by laying down three cards that are in order. For example, if you lay down a seven, your opponent may throw down an eight to create a sum of 15 and gain two points. However, if you lay down a nine after the eight, it creates a run, which is awarded with as many points as the amount of cards played in the run. Since there are three cards in this run, the player who made the run will be awarded three points.
-
5
Add up to 31 with your cards. While adding the cards you and your opponent lay down, the objective is to get to 31 points. Hit exactly 31 points to gain two points. For example, if the cards currently add up to 22 points and it is your turn, lay down a nine to get to 31 and win the two points.
-
1
