Beginner Cribbage Strategy

Techniques and tactics to be used by players that have already mastered the basics of cribbage, but are still learning the finer points. These topics will include discussion on all phases of the game, including pegging and discarding.

Position Isn't Everything

Submitted by Chris Parsons on December 23, 2009 - 1:56pm

Everyone always talks about position, and how important it is to be in position. I'm not going to dispute that position is important, but constantly thinking about position can cause so many unnecessary mistakes that wouldn't be made if people weren't thinking about it at all.

The basis of position is sound; you will average 10 points as a pone, and 16 points as the dealer, so you will average 26 points every two deals. Therefore, if you want to be the first one to 121 points, you should also be the first one to 95 points, and the first one to 70 points, and so on. Read more »

Playing for the Skunk

Submitted by Chris Parsons on May 22, 2009 - 11:34pm

Even the best players find themselves with their backs to the wall in a tournament. In these situations, the great players will change their game style to maximize their chances to make it through qualifying, or to end up in the money in a grass roots tournament. This generally means that they end up having to play for a skunk, to earn the extra game point in ACC play. Other times, it means pressing a bit harder to win that double bet when playing that $5/$10 game during the breaks. Read more »