How to Play a Game of Cribbage

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

Cribbage is a card game that is played using a board and pegs. The object of the game is to reach 121 points in a long game or 61 in a short game. Here are some steps that will help you to play cribbage.

Set up the board. It should have holes set up in sets of five. There should be two pegs for each of the two players (four total) and they should start at one end of the board.

Cut the deck. Whichever player cuts the lowest card is the first deal. The non-dealing player automatically is awarded three pegs as compensation.

Deal the cards. Both players are dealt six cards.

Choose two cards to put into the crib. The crib acts as an extra hand for the dealer at the end of the round and is comprised of the four cards which stay face down until the end.

Turn over the start card. The non dealer cuts the deck, and turns over a card. When it is a Jack, the dealer gets two pegs.

The non dealer plays his card by putting it down and calling out its value. Face cards are worth 10, and the Ace is worth one.

The dealer then plays cards and adds up the sum total of his and the non dealer's cards. This continues until somebody totals to 31 and is awarded two pegs. Or, the closest to 31 gets one peg.

Score the discards if you are the non-dealer. When you are the dealer, score your hand and the crib.

Alternate the deal and continue until one player reaches 121 or 61.