Cribbage Onlineplay the classic pegging card game free
Discard to the crib, peg through the play, count fifteens, pairs, and runs, and race to 121 against a sharp computer opponent — no download, no sign-up, right in your browser.
You
0
Opp
0
Opponent
Starter
Crib
The play
Your hand
Race your opponent to 121 — deal, discard to the crib, peg through the play, and count the show.
First to 121 points wins.
What is cribbage
The pegging and counting card game
Cribbage is a 2-player card game built around a running score to 121. Each hand, you and your opponent discard into a shared crib, play cards against each other while pegging points for fifteens, pairs, and runs, then count every hand and the crib against a cut starter card. It rewards sharp discards and careful counting — no two hands play the same.
- Full 2-player rules
- The deal, the crib, cutting the starter, the play, and the show — every scoring rule is implemented exactly, with no shortcuts.
- Plays in your browser
- No download, no install, no plugins. cribbageonline.app deals a hand the moment the page loads, on desktop and mobile.
- A real computer opponent
- The built-in opponent weighs discards and pegging plays instead of moving at random, so every hand is a genuine contest.
- Progress saved locally
- Games played, games won, best score, and win streak are stored on your device — never on a server.
How to play
How to play cribbage
Deal, discard to the crib, peg your way through the play, then count the show. Four moves, repeated hand after hand, on the way to 121.
- 1
Deal and discard
Each hand, both players get six cards from a shuffled 52-card deck. Every player discards two cards face down into the crib — an extra hand that belongs to the dealer. That leaves four cards each for the rest of the hand.
- 2
Cut the starter
The deck is cut and one card is turned up as the starter. If it is a Jack, the dealer scores 2 points immediately — "his heels." The starter is used later when every hand and the crib are counted.
- 3
Play to 31 (the play)
Starting with the non-dealer, players alternate laying down one card at a time, calling the running total. Score points for reaching 15 or 31 exactly, for pairs, and for runs of three or more played in a row. If you cannot play without passing 31, you say "Go."
- 4
Count the show
Once every card is played, each hand is counted against the starter card — first the non-dealer, then the dealer, then the dealer's crib. Score fifteens, pairs, runs, flushes, and a Jack that matches the starter's suit ("his nobs"). First to 121 wins.
Tips to win more games
- When it is your crib, keep cards that combine well — pairs, cards that sum to 15, and cards close in rank. They score for you twice: once in hand, once in the crib.
- When it is your opponent's crib, discard cards that do not combine — break up pairs and 15-combinations rather than feeding them a strong crib.
- A 5 is the single most dangerous discard into an opponent's crib — it pairs with every 10-value card for an instant fifteen.
- During the play, avoid leaving the count at 5 or 21 when you can help it; either lets your opponent make 15 or 31 with a single ten-value card.
- Holding a low card such as a 4 back for the end of the play often lets you land the last card for a safe 1-point "Go."
- Count your hand out loud before submitting a discard — the fifteens and runs you would keep are easy to misjudge quickly.
- A won hand that also pushes your opponent's score to the far end of the board is not always best — sometimes the safer discard denies them a bigger crib.
FAQ
Cribbage, answered
Straight answers about the free cribbage card game you can play online in your browser against the computer.
What is cribbage?
Cribbage is a 2-player card game played with a standard 52-card deck, built around a running score to 121 tracked on a pegging board. Each hand, players discard into a shared "crib" that belongs to the dealer, play cards against each other while scoring the running count, then count their hands and the crib for fifteens, pairs, runs, flushes, and other combinations.
How do you play cribbage?
Deal six cards to each player. Both players discard two cards into the crib, leaving four each. Cut a starter card — a Jack scores the dealer 2 points. Players then alternate playing cards face up, scoring 15s, pairs, runs, and 31 as the count builds, saying "Go" when they cannot play without passing 31. Once all cards are played, count the non-dealer's hand, then the dealer's hand, then the crib against the starter. First to 121 points wins.
Is cribbage online free to play?
Yes. cribbageonline.app is completely free and runs entirely in your browser. There is nothing to buy, download, or install, and there are no interruptive video ads, premium tiers, or paywalls. Open the page and a hand is ready to deal.
Do I need to download an app or create an account?
No. The game is the website — a 100% browser-based build with no app store download and no sign-up. Your stats are saved locally in your browser, so there is no login to manage.
What is the crib in cribbage?
The crib is a fourth hand made from the two cards every player discards each round — four cards total. It is counted at the end of the hand exactly like a regular hand, using the same starter card, but the points always go to whoever is dealing that hand. The dealer role, and the crib, alternate every hand.
What does "his nobs" mean?
His nobs is 1 point scored during the show when a player's hand contains the Jack of the same suit as the starter card. It is separate from "his heels," which is the 2 points the dealer scores if the starter card itself is cut as a Jack.
What is "muggins" in cribbage?
Muggins is an optional rule where a player can claim any points their opponent missed while counting a hand. This version scores every hand automatically and exactly, so no points are ever missed and muggins does not apply.
How many points do you need to win cribbage?
A standard game of cribbage is played to 121 points. The moment a player's score reaches 121 — whether during the play or while a hand is being counted — the game ends immediately, even if points remain to be counted.
What should I discard to the crib?
It depends on whose crib it is. On your own deal, keep cards that work well together — pairs, cards that sum to 15, and close ranks — since they will score for you in the crib too. When your opponent is dealing, break up those same combinations instead, since a good discard there just hands them points.
How do I win more games of cribbage?
Discard with crib ownership in mind, avoid leading a 5 during the play, and try not to leave the count at 5 or 21 where a single ten-value card scores your opponent 15. Counting the show accurately and tracking the running count carefully during the play matters more than any single trick.
Does the game save my progress?
Your games played, games won, best winning score, skunks, and win streak are saved locally in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server and there is no account. A hand in progress is not saved if you close the tab.
Can I play cribbage online on mobile?
Yes. The layout is built for touch: tap a card to select or play it. Your hand, the crib, the pegging track, and the running count all fit on one portrait screen, and dealing the next hand is instant with no page reload.