Friends with Modems Classic games with the people you love.

Cribbage guide

Cribbage best practices

Tips for playing well, the most useful first.

  1. Keep cards that score together: pairs, runs and cards that make 15. Every ten-value card goes with a 5.
  2. As dealer, put cards that work together in the crib, such as a pair or two cards that add to 15. As the other player, split them up.
  3. Don’t put a 5 in your opponent’s crib if you can help it. Any ten-value card makes 15 with it.
  4. Don’t lead a 5 in the play. Any ten-value card answers it with 15 for 2 points.
  5. Try not to make the count 5 or 21 when you lay a card. A ten-value card then makes 15 or 31 for your opponent.
  6. Near the end of a game, remember the order: points in the play come first, then the show, where the player who is not the dealer counts first. A player close to 121 can win before the other hand is counted.