Play Cribbage Online Free with Friends

How to play Cribbage

1. 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.
2. EACH HAND HAS THREE STEPS. 1 · 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.
3. 2 · 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.
4. What scores during the play: bringing the count to exactly 15 — 2 · to exactly 31 — 2 · matching the last card played (a pair) — 2, three of a kind — 6, four — 12 · the last few cards forming a run of three or more, in any order — 1 per card · being the last to play before a reset — 1.
5. 3 · 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 · each pair — 2 · each run of three or more — 1 per card (a double run counts twice) · all four hand cards of one suit — 4, five with the starter (the crib needs all five) · the jack of the starter's suit — 1 ("nobs").
6. 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.
7. 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). The deal alternates every hand; a jack turned as the starter is 2 to the dealer ("his heels").

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.