On the surface, Cribbage is a mixture of luck and skill - but there is so much more to this game. Good players win consistently and that is attributable to their ability to analyze various card combinations and execute the proper plays. Occasionally games will be won by sheer luck of the draw. In the long run however, the seasoned player will defeat his lesser skilled opponents by capitalizing on errors and applying accurate discarding technique. Let us review some basic and intermediate strategy.
Discarding to the Crib (Your Deal)
The deal of six cards has been completed, and you have the Crib. This is the ideal situation, and you must maximize your opportunities. Obviously, you are required to determine which four cards you are going to keep for your (playing) hand, and the two cards which will become part of your Crib. Many hands are "Naturals" and require very little thought at all. All good hands must be kept intact. This includes double runs, multiple "ten" and five combinations, and standard "dozen" counts. Here are some examples of Natural Hands. Unless your two side cards can create even greater scoring combinations, these holdings are "ironclad".
6-7-7-8 5-5-Q-Q 7-7-7-A A-2-2-3 10-10-J-Q
6-6-9-9 4-5-5-6
It is obvious that the dealer should try to discard good cards into his crib whenever possible -and it is so much easier to make these
discards when YOU have the Crib. Good judgement is still necessary. The ONLY time a "Natural" hand is split is toward the end of a close game when pegging cards are needed (This will be covered in a later article). There are some deals
which contain "Partials". While a hand may not feature a Natural holding - the potential of "filling" the hand with a good "cut" (starter card) is always there. And we do understand that Lady Luck is a big part of this game! Here are a few examples of 6-card hands containing "Partials".
(a) A-2-3-7-9-J (b) 6-7-8-10-J-K (c) 4-5-6-9-J-Q (d) 2-3-8-9-10-Q (e)
7-7-9-9-Q-K
Let's review each of these deals.
(a) Your best play is to keep the A-2-3-J, and toss the 7-9 into your Crib. You have wonderful potential of cutting into a "dozen" hand. Your opponent may also dump an eight into the crib, as well. Another good feature is the pegging quality of your hand.
(b) This hand is weaker, but still calls for keeping the 6-7-8-K and discarding the 10-J. A variety of cuts will help, and the two connected face cards in the Crib could yield a few extra points.
(c) Here is a solid holding. I recommend retaining the 4-5-6-9 - a sure seven points and a combination with lots of potential. The J-Q discard might work out as well.
(d) This is not a good holding; yet, still has some possibilities. Save the 8-9-10-Q, and discard the 2-3 for good Crib opportunity. You may cut into a double run for your hand. A low cut such as an A-2-3- or 4 might reap a windfall of points - if your opponent has discarded low cards or a face card into the Crib.
(e) Here is another weak deal. All you can do here is keep the 7-7-9-9 and hope for an eight or even a six. At least you will get 4 points. The K-Q may result in a "bust" crib - unless of course a five is cut, or your opponent discards a Jack. One can always hope! That is part of the game.!
Suffice to say, the five-spot is the most valuable card in the game.. It readily combines with "ten" cards to yield fifteens. Combinations of multiple fives with "ten" card are quite lethal. It is usually best to keep fives and "ten" cards in your hand.
However, if are dealt holdings such as:
A-A-2-3-5-J or 5-5-7-7-8-9 or 6-6-9-9-5-K
or A-5-7-7-7-K
Be sure to keep the "Natural" holdings, and discard the five and "ten" combinations to your Crib. Two fives in your Crib might turn out quite nicely.
As you become more familiar with combinations, your game will sharpen. Many fine books have been written about Cribbage, and discarding techniques are analyzed in great detail. Joseph Petrus Wergin (Milwaukee, WI) has published a terrific book on the game of Cribbage. Check it out! In the meantime, remember that practice is the best way to improve your game -
especially if your opponent is an experienced player!
Next time, I will review discarding when it is the OPPONENT'S Crib - a much more difficult scenario.
Good luck in your games!
- Joe Andrews
