Know the goal
Race to 121 points by pegging during play and counting combinations after the play ends.
Read the rules →Classic cards. Clear explanations.
Cribbage Online
Free Play
Learn the rules, understand every scoring combination, and make better discards—whether you play at the kitchen table or play cribbage online.
- Beginner friendly
- Example-driven
- No download required
Start here
Cribbage without the confusion
The game has a few unusual terms, but the structure is consistent. Learn it in four parts and the rest becomes practice.
Follow the deal
Each player receives six cards and contributes two to the dealer’s separate crib.
See the full sequence →Learn the count
Fifteens, pairs, runs, flushes, and nobs make up nearly every hand score.
Use the scoring chart →Improve decisions
Balance hand value, crib safety, pegging strength, and board position.
Build a strategy →
The short version
What is cribbage?
Cribbage is a classic card game with two connected scoring phases. During the play, players alternate cards without taking the running total above 31. Afterward, they count combinations in their hands, and the dealer counts the crib.
The board does not decide the score; it records it. Pegs leapfrog along a 121-point track so both players can see the position of the race at a glance.
- Usually played by two people with a standard 52-card deck
- Hands are counted using the shared starter card
- The non-dealer counts first, an important positional advantage
- The first player to peg out wins immediately
Focused guides
Go deeper, one topic at a time
Cribbage strategy
Evaluate keeps, protect your opponent’s crib, and use board position to guide risk.
Read the strategy guide →
Cribbage board guide
Understand tracks, pegs, game holes, and the difference between 60- and 120-point boards.
Understand the board →Classic & solo
Cribbage variations
Compare standard two-player cribbage with three-player, four-player, five-card, and cribbage solitaire formats.
Each version uses familiar scoring, but the deal, crib, or winning total may change.
Compare variations →Playing in a browser
How to approach cribbage online
Online cribbage can be useful for practice because legal plays and score totals are often checked automatically. That convenience should support—not replace—your ability to count.
Before using any free cribbage site or app, check whether it explains its privacy terms, uses a fair matchmaking system, and lets you review a completed hand. Avoid downloads from unfamiliar publishers and never reuse an important password.
Read the browser play guideGood practice setup
Choose a format that teaches
- Start against a computer at a comfortable pace
- Count each hand yourself before revealing the total
- Review missed fifteens and runs after every deal
- Move to real players when turns feel automatic
- Prefer clear rules and minimal intrusive advertising
Quick answers
Cribbage FAQ
What is the winning score in classic cribbage?
The standard target is 121 points. Some short games are played to 61, especially on compact boards or when time is limited.
Can I learn cribbage without owning a board?
Yes. You can learn with paper, a score app, or an online rules trainer. A physical board is useful because it makes position and pace easy to see.
What is the best possible cribbage hand?
The maximum is 29 points: three fives and the jack matching the starter’s suit in hand, with the fourth five as the starter.
Does this site offer free cribbage online?
Not currently. This site is a learning resource and does not host a playable game. Its guides can help you prepare for play on any tabletop or browser platform.
Ready for your first deal?
Learn the complete sequence from cutting for deal to counting the dealer’s crib.