Cribbage for 3 and 4 Players
Quick answer
Cribbage for 4 players is played in two teams of partners: deal 5 cards each and everyone throws 1 card to the dealer's crib. Cribbage for 3 people: deal 5 cards each plus 1 card straight into the crib, and each player throws 1. Either way everyone keeps four cards and the crib has four.
Pegging and counting work just like the two-player game. The first player or team to 121 wins.
Everyone still ends up with four cards
| Players | Cards each | Each throws | From the deck | Sides |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 | Each for themselves |
| 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | Each for themselves |
| 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | Two teams of two |
With two players, you are dealt 6 and throw 2. With more players there are fewer cards to go around, so you are dealt 5 and throw one.
Cribbage for 3 people: five cards each, one card to the crib
3 players: the deal
Dealer
Player to the dealer’s left
Player to the dealer’s right
Crib (belongs to the dealer)
- Deal 5 cards to each player, plus 1 card face down straight into the crib: 16 cards in all.
- Each player throws 1 card to the crib (shown with stripes) and keeps 4.
- The crib ends with 4 cards: 3 from the players and 1 from the deck.
- Cut for first deal; the deal then passes to the left each hand.
- The dealer deals 5 cards to each player, one at a time, and 1 card face down to start the crib.
- Each player throws 1 card into the crib. The crib belongs to the dealer.
- The player to the dealer's left cuts the starter and plays the first card. Play goes clockwise.
- In the show, count clockwise from the dealer's left. The dealer counts last, then the crib.
Each player scores alone, usually to 121 on a three-track board. Pagat.com notes that the two players behind often gang up on the leader during play. That is fair, as long as nobody shows their cards.
Cribbage for 4 players: two teams of partners
4 players: the deal
Dealer (Team A)
Left of dealer (Team B)
Dealer’s partner (Team A)
Right of dealer (Team B)
Crib (belongs to the dealer)
- Deal 5 cards to each player: 20 cards in all.
- Each player throws 1 card to the crib (shown with stripes) and keeps 4.
- The crib ends with 4 cards: 4 from the players.
- Partners sit opposite each other and peg on one shared track.
- Partners sit opposite each other, so the turn alternates between teams.
- The dealer deals 5 cards to each player. Each player throws 1 card to the dealer's crib.
- The player on the dealer's left cuts the starter and leads.
- Count from the dealer's left, ending with the dealer, then the crib.
- One partner on each team moves the pegs. Both partners' points go on the same track.
Partners may help each other count and may agree on what to throw to the crib, but they may not discuss how to play or show each other their cards.
“Go” passes around the table until nobody can play
With three or four players, “go” works the same way but goes around more people. When you can't play, say “go” and the next player in turn tries. Play continues until no one can add a card without passing 31. Whoever played the last card scores 1 for the go, or 2 for exactly 31. The count goes back to 0 and the next player to the left leads.
Our pegging rules page steps through a two-player hand card by card. Every score works the same way here.
Scoring is the same; only the board changes
Fifteens, pairs, runs, flushes and nobs all score the same as in the two-player game. See cribbage scoring for the full list. With three players, use a three-track board or three columns on paper. With four, you only need two tracks, one per team.
House rules vary. Some groups play three-handed to 61, or play four-handed with every player for themselves. Agree before the first deal.
If you like Cribbage, try
Euchre
2–4 players · 20 min · Learn in a game or two
Partners, trump and the two bowers. Take three tricks of five.
Spite & Malice
2–4 players · 25 min · Easy to learn
Play off your pile before your opponent does. The game Skip-Bo grew from.
Canasta
2–6 players · 60 min · Learn in a game or two
Meld sevens of a kind with your partner. Red threes are a bonus.
Questions people ask
Can you play cribbage with 3 people?
Yes. Deal 5 cards to each player and 1 card face down into the crib. Each player throws 1 card to the crib, so everyone keeps four and the crib has four. Everyone plays for themselves, usually to 121 on a three-track board.
How do you play cribbage with 4 players?
Play as two teams of two, partners sitting opposite. Deal 5 cards each; each player throws 1 to the dealer’s crib. Partners add their points together on one track, and the first team to 121 wins.
How many cards do you deal in 4-person cribbage?
5 cards to each player, 20 in all. After each player throws one to the crib, everyone holds four and the crib has four.
Who leads first in 3-handed cribbage?
The player to the dealer’s left. Play goes clockwise, and in the show the hands are counted starting at the dealer’s left, with the dealer counting last, then the crib.
Can 4 people play cribbage without partners?
Some families play every player for themselves, with five cards each and one card each to the crib. The usual way, described on pagat.com, is two partnerships.