Does the table count the hands?

Yes, and it shows every combination — each fifteen, pair, run, the flush and nobs — so you can check it. No muggins: nothing is missed and nothing is stolen.

How does go work here?

Automatically. When you cannot play under 31 the table says go for you and the other player continues while they can; the last card pegs one, or two for exactly 31.

Losing without reaching 91. Under 61 is a double skunk. The verdict says so.

Do I need an account?

No. Type a name and play — no signup, no download, nothing to install. Making an account is optional and only exists to keep your stats, nickname and preferences across devices.

Yes, all of it. Every game on Board Game Universe is free to play, with no premium tier holding anything back.

Can I play on my phone?

Yes. It runs in a mobile browser on phones and tablets as well as on a desktop — there is no app to download.

How do I play with my friends?

Start a table and send your friends the link. They open it, type a name, and sit down. Moves and table chat happen in real time.

Can I play against the computer?

Yes. Add a bot to any table and it plays a proper game — useful for filling a seat while you wait for a fourth.

Play Cribbage Online Free with Friends

Cribbage, free and online, with a friend by link or against the house bot. Six-card cribbage as it is played at the kitchen table: two to the crib, the cut, pegging to 31 with go and last card, then the show — fifteens, pairs, runs, flush and nobs, counted in the proper order — to 121. The table counts for you and shows its arithmetic. Real-time chat, no download, no signup.

2 players · ~25 min · free forever · Card Games

How to play Cribbage

THE IDEA: two players race to 121 points. Points come from making 15s, pairs and runs — first during the play (laying cards one at a time), then again in the show (counting what is left in your hand). Every point is pegged the moment it is made.
Each hand has three steps — DISCARD, THE PLAY, THE SHOW — and then the deal passes to the other player.
DISCARD: you are dealt six cards; pick two to send to the CRIB, a spare hand the dealer scores later. Then the deck is cut for the STARTER card, which belongs to everybody.
THE PLAY: starting with the non-dealer, take turns laying one card face up and adding it to a running count. Cards that would push the count past 31 are dimmed — you cannot play them. When you have no card that fits, the table says GO for you and the other player keeps going. When neither can play, the count resets to zero and play carries on until all eight cards are down.
What scores during the play: bringing the count to exactly 15 — 2 points · to exactly 31 — 2 points · matching the last card played (a pair) — 2 points, three of a kind — 6, four — 12 · the last few cards forming a run of three or more, in any order — 1 point per card · being the last to play before a reset — 1 point.
THE SHOW: hands are counted together with the starter — the non-dealer first, then the dealer, then the dealer counts the crib as well. The table itemises every combination for you: each set of cards adding to 15 — 2 points · each pair — 2 points · each run of three or more — 1 point per card (a double run counts twice) · all four hand cards of one suit — 4 points, five with the starter (the crib needs all five) · the jack of the starter's suit — 1 point ("nobs").
Card values: aces 1 (and low in runs), 2–10 face value, jack, queen and king 10 — but for pairs and runs, rank is what matters, so J-Q-K is a run and two kings are a pair.
The first to 121 wins on the spot, even halfway through a count, so the order of counting matters. Lose without reaching 91 and you are SKUNKED (a double skunk under 61). A jack turned as the starter is 2 points to the dealer ("his heels").

Cribbage strategy

The basics that turn knowing the rules into winning games — what to do first, what to keep, what to avoid.

To the crib: keep 5s and pairs and cards that make 15s; give the dealer's crib junk (a king and a 9, say) and your own crib good cards.
Never lead a 5 — anything that makes 10 with it makes 15 for your opponent. Lead a 4 or lower, which cannot be made 15 in one card.
During the play, avoid bringing the count to 21 (a 10-card makes 31) and be the one to hit 15 or 31 yourself.
Pairs during the play are 2 for you but 6 for the next player if they hold a third — do not pair a card unless you can take the three of a kind.
Count your hand in the order fifteens, pairs, runs, flush, nobs — the table itemises it, so check it against your own count to learn the patterns.
A 5 with three 10-cards is worth 8 before the cut; 4-5-6 with anything is a strong hand. Learn the shapes and you will see them in the deal.

Cribbage FAQ

Does the table count the hands?: Yes, and it shows every combination — each fifteen, pair, run, the flush and nobs — so you can check it. No muggins: nothing is missed and nothing is stolen.
How does go work here?: Automatically. When you cannot play under 31 the table says go for you and the other player continues while they can; the last card pegs one, or two for exactly 31.
What is a skunk?: Losing without reaching 91. Under 61 is a double skunk. The verdict says so.
Do I need an account?: No. Type a name and play — no signup, no download, nothing to install. Making an account is optional and only exists to keep your stats, nickname and preferences across devices.
Is it really free?: Yes, all of it. Every game on Board Game Universe is free to play, with no premium tier holding anything back.
Can I play on my phone?: Yes. It runs in a mobile browser on phones and tablets as well as on a desktop — there is no app to download.
How do I play with my friends?: Start a table and send your friends the link. They open it, type a name, and sit down. Moves and table chat happen in real time.
Can I play against the computer?: Yes. Add a bot to any table and it plays a proper game — useful for filling a seat while you wait for a fourth.