Cribbage (rules) - Variations

Variations

• Three players: Five cards are dealt to each player and one card directly to the crib, and each player then discards one card to the crib, as shown in the examples above. Three players can score individually, with the winner the first to reach 121, or in a "two against one" team format, where the two-player team must score 121 to win before the lone player reaches 61.
• Four players: Five cards are dealt to each player, each of whom discards one to the crib. The players can play as individuals or as two sets of partners.
• Five-card cribbage (called the "old game"): Each of two players is dealt five cards, two of which are discarded into the crib. The crib thus consists of four cards but each hand only three. The non-dealer is given a three-point start and play is to 61.
• Five players: Five cards are dealt to each player except the dealer, who has only four cards. The four non-dealers each discard one card to the crib.
• Muggins: This is a scoring variant in which a player who fails to count all the points to which he is entitled in the play or the show loses the unclaimed points to an opponent who calls "muggins" or "cut throat".
• Lowball (or "Loser's Crib"): This is a misère variant in which the normal rules apply but the aim is to avoid scoring. The loser is the first to 121.
• Jokers: Jokers are fully wild, with their rank and suit decided only at the moment of play. The choice of card may even replicate a card already in play, allowing for 5 of a kind (20 points), 6 of a kind (30 points), etc. When a joker is cut as the starter, the dealer scores 2 for heels and each player may choose a different rank and suit for the joker when hands are scored.
• Toss Fives: This is a variant in which players must discard any 5s they may have into the crib (even an opponent's crib).
• Auction Cribbage: In Auction Cribbage, it does not have to be the dealer who gains the points in the crib or box – any player may bid for the points in the box. If a player who is not the dealer puts in a bid, he or she must announce how many points he or she is going to sacrifice for the privilege of taking up the box, and these points are deducted at the end of the scoring for that round (the only player who does not have to sacrifice points in this way is the dealer).
• Null point penalty: When a player scores zero points during "the show", their opponent scores one point. This applies to both players hands as well as in the crib.
• Back 10 (Backup Ten): The hand and the crib must contain points. If either hand does not, the owner of the hand must go back ten points.