Every scoring combination in the hand and every scoring event in the play, on one page — including the flush rule that differs between hand and crib, and the ones people always miss.
| Combination | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fifteen | 2 | Any cards totalling 15 — count every distinct combination |
| Pair | 2 | Two of a rank |
| Three of a kind | 6 | Three pairs among them |
| Four of a kind | 12 | Six pairs among them |
| Run of 3 / 4 / 5 | 3 / 4 / 5 | One point per card; double runs score twice |
| Flush (hand) | 4 | All four of one suit — 5 if the starter matches |
| Flush (crib) | 5 | Only counts with the starter — all five suited |
| Nobs | 1 | Jack of the same suit as the starter |
| His heels | 2 | Dealer cuts a jack as the starter |
| Event | Points | Event | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Count reaches 15 | 2 | Pair / trips / quads | 2 / 6 / 12 |
| Count reaches 31 | 2 | Run of 3+ | 1 per card |
| Last card ("go") | 1 | Count may never exceed | 31 |
Cribbage scoring is the part that stops people playing, and it is really just four things counted separately and added up: fifteens, pairs, runs and flushes, plus nobs. Every distinct combination counts, which is the rule newcomers miss most often.
Any group of cards totalling exactly 15 scores 2 — and you count every combination, not just one. A hand of 5-5-5-J contains four separate fifteens (each five with the jack), worth 8, plus 6 for the three fives, for 14 total.
A run is three or more consecutive cards, scoring one per card. If a rank is duplicated, the run counts twice — a 4-5-5-6 is two runs of three, so 6 points, plus 2 for the pair.
In your hand, four cards of one suit score 4, and 5 if the starter matches. In the crib, a four-card flush scores nothing — all five cards including the starter must match, for 5. This asymmetry is the single most commonly misplayed rule in cribbage.
During the play, score 2 for bringing the count to 15 or 31, 2 for a pair, one per card for a run, and 1 for the last card when neither player can go without passing 31. The count may never exceed 31.
What is the highest cribbage hand? 29 — three fives and a jack, with the fourth five of the jack's suit as the starter.
Why is 19 called the impossible hand? Because no combination of cards can score exactly 19, so "nineteen" is the traditional way to announce zero.
What is muggins? An optional rule letting your opponent claim points you failed to count. Agree whether you are playing it before you start.