Deal and crib
- Cut for first deal; low card deals. In two-player play deal six each, then each discards two face down to the dealer’s crib.
- The non-dealer cuts and the dealer turns the starter. A jack starter scores the dealer 2 for heels.
- Dealer alternates each hand. The crib is scored by its dealer after both hands.
Pegging
- Non-dealer plays first. Alternate cards while announcing the running count; face cards are 10 and aces 1. Never exceed 31.
- Score 2 for making 15, 2 for 31, 2/6/12 for a pair/triple/quad, and the length of the most recent run of three or more.
- A player unable to play says go. The last card before a reset scores 1 unless it made 31 for 2. The last card of the play also scores.
Show
- Non-dealer counts first, then dealer, then crib. Each uses its four cards plus the starter.
- Score 2 for every combination totaling 15; 2 per pair; the length of each run; 4 for a four-card hand flush or 5 including starter; and 1 for nobs (a jack matching starter suit).
- A crib flush scores only when all four crib cards and the starter match.
- Peg immediately. The game ends the moment a player reaches 121, even if other counting remains.
Board terms
- Skunk: loser has not reached 91 when winner pegs out. Double skunk is commonly below 61 but is a house/tournament scoring convention.
- Muggins allows an opponent to claim missed points when called before the next scoring action. Use only if agreed.
Common house rules
- Muggins
- Best-of match scoring and skunks
- 61-point short game
- Three- or four-player deal rules
- Exact finish required