1. Discard with the crib owner in mind
Before choosing your two crib cards, check whether you are the dealer this round.
If it's your crib: favor cards that combine well together—pairs, cards that sum to 15, and close ranks that could form a run. You'll likely see those cards again.
If it's your opponent's crib: favor keeping your best four-card hand and throw cards that don't combine with each other, so you're not handing the dealer a strong extra hand.
2. Play pegging defense, not just offense
Leading a low card (ace through 4) is generally safer than a mid-range card, since it's harder for your opponent to make 15 or an easy pair off it.
Avoid leading a 5 if you can help it—it's the single easiest card for your opponent to pair with a 15.
When you have a choice of equally scoring plays, prefer the one that leaves your opponent fewer good replies, especially near a running count of 21 (where a 10-value card lets them hit 31).
3. Remember the crib is worth playing for
Over a full game, the dealer's crib accounts for a meaningful share of total points. Small edges compound: discarding slightly better into your own crib, and slightly worse into your opponent's, adds up over many hands.
Late in a close game, also weigh the crib's value against pegging safety—sometimes the safer pegging card matters more than the marginally better crib card.
4. Count before you commit to a discard
It's easy to eyeball a hand and misjudge it. Before discarding, quickly check your remaining four cards for fifteens, pairs, and run potential rather than relying on instinct alone.
If you're unsure how two candidate discards compare, try both hands in the scoring calculator to see the actual point difference.
Want the rules refresher first?
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