Game Rules: Cribbage

Game Identity

• Name: Cribbage
• Player Count: 2–4 players. Standard: 2.
• Teams: Optional (4-player can be 2 teams of 2).
• Theme: Classic British card game combining trick-counting and "pegging." The app tracks cumulative points — it does not simulate the pegging board or live trick play.

Scoring Mechanics

• Scoring Variant: Accumulative — scores grow toward a target.
• Target Score: 121 points (standard 2-player "once around"). 61 points for a short game. 181 or 241 for 3–4 player variants.
• Unit of Scoring: Points per hand (pegging + hand count + crib).
• Lower vs. Higher: Higher score wins.

Rules & Validation

Per-Hand Logic

• Points per Hand: Variable. Each hand contributes:
  • Pegging points: Scored during play (fifteens, pairs, runs, 31s, last card).
  • Hand points: Scored from the 4-card hand + starter card (fifteens = 2 pts each, pairs = 2, runs, flush = 4/5, His Nobs = 1).
  • Crib points: Dealer counts additional points from the crib (same scoring rules as a hand).
• Common Point Totals: Typical hand+crib combos range from 0–29. A perfect 29 hand (5-5-5-J with a 5 as starter matching the Jack's suit) is the maximum possible.
• Validation Rules:
  • No fixed per-hand total — each player's entry is independent.
  • Values must be non-negative integers.

Special Actions / Bonuses

• His Nobs: Jack in hand matching starter suit = 1 point.
• His Heels (Nibs): Dealer turns over a Jack as the starter card = 2 points for the dealer immediately.
• Muggins (optional rule): If a player fails to count all their points, opponents may claim the missed points. Toggle in settings.
• Skunk: Winning by 31+ points (opponent didn't pass 90). Not scored in-app, but can be noted in history.
• Double Skunk: Winning by 61+ points (opponent below 61). Flavor only.

Win Conditions

• Condition: First player/team to reach or exceed the target (default 121) wins immediately — even mid-hand during pegging.
• Tie-Breaker: Cannot tie — the first player to hit the target during pegging or counting wins on the spot.

Set Up in Doodle Score

Cribbage doesn't have a dedicated scorecard yet — track it for free using a general scorecard:

1. Tap New Scorecard and choose Quick Score (tracks one player's turn at a time)
2. Add 2 players (adjust as needed)

Score type: Ascending — highest score wins.