Cribbage

Created on February 15, 2023.

Cribbage image

Cribbage is a classic card game that has been enjoyed for hundreds of years. It is a game of skill and strategy that requires players to score points by forming combinations of cards, with the ultimate goal of reaching 121 points before their opponent. In this article, we will explore 13 strategies that can help you improve your Cribbage game and increase your chances of winning.

  1. Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Discards: When your opponent discards cards to the crib, pay close attention to the cards they choose to discard. This can give you valuable information about the types of cards they are likely to hold in their hand, and can help you plan your own strategy accordingly.
  2. Think Carefully About Your Own Discards: When it is your turn to discard cards to the crib, take your time and think carefully about which cards to choose. Try to select cards that are unlikely to be useful to your opponent, while keeping cards that can help you form combinations in your own hand.
  3. Keep an Eye on the Score: The score in Cribbage is constantly changing, and it is important to keep track of it throughout the game. This will help you make informed decisions about when to play aggressively and when to hold back.
  4. Take Advantage of the Starter Card: The starter card, which is the first card that is turned over after the players have finished discarding to the crib, can be a powerful tool. Try to use it to your advantage by selecting cards that are likely to form combinations with the starter card.
  5. Form Combinations Early: Try to form combinations of cards as early as possible in the game. This will help you to accumulate points quickly, and will put pressure on your opponent to catch up.
  6. Hold onto High Cards: High cards, such as aces, kings, and queens, are valuable in Cribbage because they can be used to form combinations and score points. Try to hold onto these cards if possible, but be careful not to get stuck with too many of them in your hand.
  7. Look for Runs: Runs, which are sequences of consecutive cards, can be very powerful in Cribbage. Look for opportunities to form runs of three or more cards, as these can score a significant number of points.
  8. Avoid Pairing Cards: In Cribbage, pairs of cards do not score any points unless they are part of a three-of-a-kind combination. Try to avoid pairing cards in your hand, as they are unlikely to be useful.
  9. Use Your Discards Wisely: The cards that you discard to the crib can have a significant impact on the outcome of the game. Try to use your discards strategically, selecting cards that are unlikely to be useful to your opponent and that can help you form combinations in your own hand.
  10. Keep Track of the Cards That Have Been Played: As cards are played during the game, keep track of which cards have already been played. This will help you to make more informed decisions about which cards to play next.
  11. Don't Be Too Predictable: Try not to be too predictable in your play. Vary your strategy from hand to hand, and don't always play the same types of combinations. This can help to keep your opponent guessing and can make it more difficult for them to anticipate your moves.
  12. Take Risks When Necessary: Sometimes, taking risks can be necessary to win the game. For example, if you are far behind in the score, you may need to take more aggressive risks to catch up.
  13. Play to the End: Cribbage can be a game of ups and downs, and it is important to play to the end even if you are far behind in the score. Sometimes, a single hand can make

Next

Faro

Previous

Craps