Fifteen, then a pair
The eight lands the count on 15 for 2. Pairing it right back scores 2 more, and the last card adds 1. Rank matters here, suit does not.
Pegging, the play to 31
Pegging is the part of cribbage where you and your rival take turns laying one card at a time onto a shared count. The count can never pass 31. Land it on 15 or 31, pair the last card, or finish a run, and you score on the spot.
The play comes right after the cut. Both players hold four cards. The non-dealer lays the first card, and from here on every point is scored the moment it happens.
- Deal six cards each
- Throw two to the crib
- Cut one card for all
- Play count to 31
- Show score your hand
The shared count
The non-dealer lays a card face up and says its value. The dealer lays one on top and says the new total. Back and forth it goes, and the total may never pass 31. Face cards all count 10 here, so the count climbs fast.
You never bust. If every card left in your hand would push the count past 31, you say Go. Your rival plays anything they still legally can, then pegs one point, and the count starts over at zero. That single point is the whole penalty.
What scores during the play
- Landing the count exactly on 15 scores 2.
- Matching the rank just played is a pair for 2. A third match is a pair royal for 6. A fourth is a double pair royal for 12.
- Completing a run of three or more with your card scores 1 per card. Order does not matter. 4, then 6, then 5 still makes a run of three.
- Landing exactly on 31 scores 2, and the count resets.
- Playing the last card of a sequence scores 1. If that last card lands on 31, the 2 for thirty-one replaces it. They never stack.
Three worked plays below show each of those in turn. Scroll, and the cards go down one at a time while the meter keeps the count.
Three worked plays
You lay the seven of spades.
Count 7
The rival lays the eight of diamonds.
Count 15 fifteen 2
You lay the eight of hearts.
Count 23 pair 2 + last card 1
A run in any order
The five completes 4-6-5 as a run of three, worth 3, and lands the count on 15 for 2 more. One card, 5 points, plus 1 for last card.
You lay the four of clubs.
Count 4
The rival lays the six of diamonds.
Count 10
You lay the five of hearts.
Count 15 fifteen 2 + run of 3 + last card 1
Go, thirty-one, and the reset
At 29 your rival has nothing that fits under 31 and says Go. You still do. The two lands exactly on 31 for 2, and a 31 closes the round on its own, so no go point is scored. The count resets to zero. The final card of the play pegs last card for 1.
You lay the king of clubs.
Count 10
The rival lays the nine of diamonds.
Count 19
You lay the ten of hearts.
Count 29
The rival says Go.
Count 29
You lay the two of spades.
Count 0 thirty-one 2
The rival lays the seven of clubs.
Count 7
You lay the six of spades.
Count 13 last card 1
You try
Four cards each. You lead. Play any card that keeps the count at 31 or under. The rival plays a simple rule and the meter scores every card for both of you.