Cribbage Pegging Rules
Quick answer
Cribbage pegging rules: players take turns playing one card and saying the running count, which can't go over 31. You score 2 for making 15 or 31, 2 for a pair, 6 for three of a kind, 12 for four, and 1 per card for a run. If you can't play, say “go”; the last card before a go or the end earns 1.
Pegging is a race to score while the count climbs to 31
After the crib is made and the starter is turned, each player has four cards. The pone (the player who did not deal) leads. Lay a card face up in front of you and say the total: “seven.” Your opponent plays and says the new total: “fifteen, for two.”
Keep your own cards in front of you, not in one pile. You will pick them up again to count your hand after pegging.
What scores during pegging
| You play the last card of… | Example | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Count reaches exactly 15 | 7♥ 8♠ | 2 |
| Count reaches exactly 31 | K♥ Q♠ 6♦ 5♣ | 2 |
| Pair: same rank as the card just played | 9♥ 9♠ | 2 |
| Pair royal: three of a kind in a row | 4♥ 4♠ 4♦ | 6 |
| Double pair royal: four of a kind in a row | 3♥ 3♠ 3♦ 3♣ | 12 |
| Run of three, in any order | 3♥ A♠ 2♦ | 3 |
| Run of four | 2♣ 5♥ 3♠ 4♦ | 4 |
| The go: last card, count under 31 | Count 28, nobody can play | 1 |
| Last card of the whole hand | The eighth card | 1 |
Points add up. A card that makes 15 and a pair at the same time scores both. Points in the table were worked out by the same engine that runs our game.
A full hand of pegging, card by card
Here is one hand played out: a pair, a go, a fifteen, a run and a 31. Press “Next card” to play it one card at a time.
Step through a hand of pegging
Pone holds King of clubs, Queen of clubs, Eight of clubs, Seven of spades. Dealer holds Queen of hearts, Seven of hearts, Nine of hearts, Five of spades.
Dealer plays the five of spades: “5.” No points. Dealer pegs one for last card (+1). Pegging is over: Pone 10, Dealer 4.
- Pone plays the king of clubs: “10.” No points.
- Dealer plays the queen of hearts: “20.” No points.
- Pone plays the queen of clubs: “30.” A pair for two (+2). Dealer can't play without going over 31 and says “Go.” Pone can't play either, so pone pegs one for the go (+1). The count goes back to 0.
- Dealer plays the seven of hearts: “7.” No points.
- Pone plays the eight of clubs: “15.” Fifteen for two (+2).
- Dealer plays the nine of hearts: “24.” A run of three for three (7♥ 8♣ 9♥) (+3).
- Pone plays the seven of spades: “31.” Thirty-one for two (+2), A run of three for three (8♣ 9♥ 7♠) (+3). The count goes back to 0.
- Dealer plays the five of spades: “5.” No points. Dealer pegs one for last card (+1).
“Go” means you can't play without passing 31
- If every card you hold would take the count past 31, say “go.”
- Your opponent must keep playing any cards that fit, scoring pairs, runs and 31 as usual.
- When neither of you can play, whoever played the last card pegs 1 for the go. If that card made exactly 31, they get 2 for the 31 and nothing extra.
- The count goes back to 0. The other player leads the next round.
- The last card of all eight scores 1 (or 2 if it makes 31).
Runs count in any order, but only the latest cards
A run in pegging is the last three or more cards played, in any order, that make a sequence. If the cards go 3, ace, 2, the 2 makes a run of three. A 4 next would make a run of four.
Common pegging mistakes at the kitchen table
- Saying go too early. If a card fits, you must play it.
- Taking a go point on 31. Exactly 31 is 2 points, never 3.
- Counting a flush. Suits don't matter in pegging.
- Forgetting the last card. The final card of the hand always scores at least 1.
Once pegging is over, count your hand: see cribbage scoring. For which card to lead and when to hold back, see cribbage strategy.
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
What is pegging in cribbage?
Pegging is the play of the cards. Players take turns laying one card face up and adding it to a running count that may not pass 31. You score points as you play, and you move your pegs on the board right away, which is where the name comes from.
Do you get a point for go and 31?
No. Exactly 31 scores 2, and that is all. One point for the go is only for a last card that leaves the count under 31.
Who leads after a go in cribbage?
In a two-player game, the player who did not play the last card starts the new count from zero. That is usually the player who said go.
Do runs in pegging have to be in order?
No. The last three or more cards played only need to make a sequence when sorted. 6, 4, 5 is a run of three. Another card that isn’t part of the sequence breaks it up.
Do flushes count in pegging?
No. Flushes and his nobs only count in the show, when you count your hand. During pegging you score only for 15, 31, pairs, runs, the go and the last card.
Can you hold back a card and say go?
No. If any card in your hand fits under 31, you must play one. You can only say go when every card you hold would take the count over 31.