Object
First player to reach 121 points wins. Each round players score points during pegging (play phase) and the show (counting phase).
The Deal
Each player is dealt 6 cards. Both players discard 2 cards face-down to form the crib, leaving 4 cards in hand. The crib belongs to the dealer and is scored as a bonus hand at the end of the round.
The Starter (Cut)
After discarding, a card is cut from the deck and placed face-up as the starter. If it's a Jack, the dealer scores 2 pts immediately — this is called Nibs (His Heels).
The Play (Pegging)
Players alternate playing cards, announcing the running total. The total can never exceed 31. If you can't play without going over, say Go — opponent pegs 1 pt.
| Running total = 15 | 2 pts |
| Running total = 31 | 2 pts (count resets) |
| Go / last card | 1 pt |
| Pair (same rank as last card) | 2 pts |
| Three of a kind | 6 pts |
| Four of a kind | 12 pts |
| Run of 3+ in sequence (any order) | 1 pt per card |
The Show (Counting)
After all cards are played, each player scores their 4-card hand + the starter (5 cards total). Non-dealer scores first, then dealer's hand, then dealer's crib.
| Any combination summing to 15 | 2 pts each |
| Pair | 2 pts |
| Three of a kind | 6 pts |
| Four of a kind | 12 pts |
| Run of 3+ consecutive ranks | 1 pt per card |
| 4-card flush (hand only) | 4 pts |
| 5-card flush (hand + starter) | 5 pts |
| Crib flush (all 5 same suit) | 5 pts |
| Nobs — Jack in hand matching starter suit | 1 pt |
Every valid combination is scored separately. A hand of 5-5-5-J with a 5 starter scores 12 pts (four 5s) + 8×15s + 1 Nobs = the perfect 29.
Skunks
Losing player's score determines the skunk tier — every 30 pts below the target counts as one skunk. Lose with under 91 pts = Skunked; under 61 = Double Skunked; under 31 = Triple Skunked.
Tips
- Don't lead a 5 — opponent can pair it with any 10-value card for 15.
- A 4 is one of the safest leads — nothing immediately makes 15 with it.
- Non-dealer should avoid sending 5s, pairs, or sequential cards to the crib.
- Kings and Aces are safer crib discards — hard to use in runs or 15s.
