Cribbage Pegging Rules

01

How the pegging sequence works

The non-dealer, also called the pone, leads the first card. Players then alternate playing one card at a time from their four-card hands.

1. 1
   The pone leads

   The dealer's opponent plays first after the starter is cut. The starter is not part of pegging.

2. 2
   Announce the running count

   Each card adds its pegging value: an ace is 1, number cards use their rank, and 10s and face cards count as 10.

3. 3
   Stay at or below 31

   You cannot play a card that would take the running total over 31. Continue until both players have used all four cards.

02

What scores during pegging?

Pegging points belong to the player whose card created the scoring pattern. A pattern is judged from the most recent cards in the current sequence.

03

What does “Go” mean?

“Go” is not a missed turn. It means you have no card left that can be played without taking the running count over 31.

The other player continues until they also cannot play, or until they make exactly 31. The player who played the final legal card scores 1 point for the last card—unless that card made 31, which scores 2 instead.

After a Go sequence, reset the count to zero. The player who did not play the last card leads the new sequence. If a card makes exactly 31, reset immediately and the player who did not play that card leads next.

04

Why pegging matters strategically

Pegging is a small race inside the larger race to 121. A safe card can deny your opponent a 15, pair, or easy run even when it earns no point immediately.

Watch the count before you play. A 5 is vulnerable when the total is 10; a 10-value card is dangerous when the count is 21; and holding a pair can create a chance to pair your opponent's card—or invite a pair royal in return.

You do not need perfect strategy to begin. Play legal cards, announce the total, notice when 15 and 31 happen, and let the patterns become familiar. For beginner discard decisions, continue to cribbage strategy for beginners.