Cribbage Hand Examples: Practice Counting Points
Learn how to score actual cribbage hands. Each worked example shows which combinations count and why.
Start with the easy combinations
5♠, 5♥, 10♦, K♣ | Starter: 2♠
Each 5 pairs with each ten-value card to make 15: four combinations × 2 = 8. The pair of fives adds 2. Total: 10 points.
A♠, 2♥, 3♦, 4♣ | Starter: 5♠
The five-card run is worth 5. All five cards add to 15, worth 2 more. Total: 7 points.
7♠, 7♥, 8♦, 8♣ | Starter: 9♠
Four different 7+8 combinations score 8 points in fifteens. Two pairs score 4. Two copies each of 7 and 8 make four separate 7–8–9 runs, worth 12. Total: 24 points.
5♠, 5♥, 5♦, J♣ | Starter: 5♣
Eight combinations of 15 = 16; six pairs among four fives = 12; jack of clubs matching the club starter = 1. Total: 29 points.
Try it yourself
How many points: 6♠, 7♥, 8♦, 9♣ | Starter: 10♠?
Five-card run (5) plus 6+9 and 7+8 (4) = 9 points.
How many points: 4♠, 4♥, 5♦, 6♣ | Starter: 7♠?
Two four-card runs = 8; pair of fours = 2; 4+4+7 = 15 (2); 4+5+6 makes 15 twice (4). 16 points.
Does 4♠, 5♠, 6♠, 7♠ with a 9♥ starter score a flush?
In a hand: four-point flush. In the crib: no flush, because the starter doesn't match. Also count any other combinations independently.