How to Play Cribbage: 2-Player Game Walkthrough

I make custom wooden cribbage boards and love to play the game. This video is to show others interested in cribbage how to play. Whether it's woodworkers, my fifth grade students, or those looking for a new game.

Cribbage is a fantastic game that can scale up to multiple players; however, I love playing 2-player cribbage. It's a great game to take to a coffee shop, bar, or on a vacation.

While the best way to learn new games is to just jump in and play, this video gives an overview of the game, a couple walkthrough rounds, and tips about points.

I highly encourage you to also check out other videos or websites to reference and learn more about the nuances and strategy.

—⏱Timestamps⏱—
00:00 How to Play Cribbage
01:17 Intro to Board & Dealing
04:37 Gameplay Walkthrough
19:00 Point Combinations
23:33 Gameplay Walkthrough 2
29:15 "Skunk Lines"
30:22 Final Game Tips

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[augustlongpre]

Can’t describe the relief I felt when you said you were gonna explain for 5th graders, no guarantees but hopefully I won’t be completely lost lol

Update: yo I’m so lost 😂

[scott]

Thanks for being a teacher. I taught high school math. My motivation for learning cribbage is the study of WWII US submarines. I've collected the first edition hardbacks of every autobiography of sailors that served on the Balao and Gato class submarines. The officers played cribbage while they discussed upcoming strategies. Many commanders required it. Now I'm ready to play cribbage with a Navy friend. I'll also look at your videos on making boards.

[JaniceThompson-pztf]

Oh my goodness... thank you so much! Just decided to learn the game and checked a few tutorials that left me more confused and thinkn...NOPE! Your video made sense and things finally clicked. Thank you for explaining to someone that didn't know how to play- how refreshing & appreciated.

[bhkrager]

As an avid board gaming family, woodworker and former youth minister, I totally get this. We are loving it. And I love your 6:8 reference. How cool. Thanks!

[bruce-le-smith]

Thanks for the tutorial \ refresher! The wooden boards you make are beautiful, very nice woodshop.

[luvthepetsplants]

I'm playing cribbage for the first time with my friend tomorrow (my friend already knows how to play) and I told him that he needs to explain it to me like he was talking to a 5th grader. And then lo and behold, I find a video of a 5th grade teacher teaching cribbage to his 5th grade students!! Oh, the synchronicities!! Thank you so much! And your cribbage boards are absolutely stunning!!

[flufflebunny]

This is proving to be so helpful, thank you so much for really slowing down an explanation for us!
My four children are learning alongside me and your instructions plus a cheat sheet printable from Huddle Around Games are really helping us to get to grips with the game. We wanted to learn as apparently it was (is?!) the national game of England, which is where we're from. I home educate my posse so any fun mathematics practice is also a bonus!
I only wish shipping wasn't so extortionate so that we could purchase one of your boards.

[KnottyCeltic]

You didn't do the point for a "go" in the first hand.

[davidbartholomew]

At 21:20 in counting a run where they placed a 3 and you had the 2, 4, 6, 5... and you had the last 3 cards laid down... did you get 3 for the run of 3, plus 4 for the run of 4, plus 5 for the run of 5, for a total of 12? Seemed like you just counted the 5. Not being picky, just trying to understand the scoring. A long time since I played and working to refresh memory. Thanks.

[patwhite]

Thank you for your clear instructions! There is a lot to learn this game and definitely practice will make it easier...did I miss how you peg? I saw that you wrre switching pegs and i wasnt sure if when moving up the last peg to the front you count that front peg as 1 or use the space in front as 1?

[falcon]

Hi Nick, I would love to see a video where you give us a tour of your incredible workshop! The back wall looks amazing, how did you go about planning it and choosing the appropriate storage module for each tool?

[Runner]

Thank you for finally making this make sense !

[keilahmfiles]

Thank you, me and my 10 yr old brother are trying to learn this and you have the best video I’ve found

[Truenorthvintageplush]

Hello! Thank you so much for your video! Do you have a place I can download your homemade document you showed in the video? Even if you charge a few dollars I would he happy to pay so I could print it out

[davidbartholomew]

On the 2nd hand, at 15:20, when 2 10's got laid down, and at 16:00 when 2 8's got laid down, would you not give the 2 points in each of those cases? You said there were no runs that would have accrued points, but what about the 2 of a kinds? Also-- in totalling 2, 3, 4 of a kinds, does it matter if these are in your hands or opponents? Are points added in all cases or just in your own hand? Thanks.

[jromofo]

Great video, I learned a lot thank you.

[jeffdamon]

On the board in the center in front of you, it looks like it's comprised of ten species of wood... what is the darker wood on the right side facing the camera? It has a nice looking figure to it.. It looks like its the same wood as on the top of your scoring board. I know how to play cribbage. I like the work you do on your boards. Cutting boards, cribbage boards, coasters, etc. Thanks.

[mesaviewshop]

Hi Nick, I am also a teacher. I teach middle school woodshop/industrial tech in Huntington Beach, CA and I love your videos. Next year our site is being modernized so we are going to an interim site, which means I will have a makeshift shop to work with. I am going to be getting a CNC machine that I am super excited about. I will be looking for some new projects for my students since I won't have access to all my traditional power machines. Since I also incorporate tech, I was thinking about creating a YouTube Channel (or something similar) like you have. I envision it being student run where they would made videos about how they make their projects. You do such a great job explaining the process, giving tips, and providing links to buy materials. Can you point me in the right direction for the video camera you use, microphones, video software, etc that you use? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[sharoncampshure]

You are a great teacher. Your students are very lucky.

[forserious]

When you had the 5 clubs 6 diamonds Q heart K heart. U added the K spade on top deck with 5 club for 2pts. Couldnt you have got 4 additional pts adding the 5 club with your 2 face cards in your hand. Or is it not counted because those 4 cards came from the crib.