Every different combination of cards adding to exactly 15 scores 2 points. Count them one at a time — “fifteen two, fifteen four…” — using the starter too.
Look at all five cards (your four plus the starter) and find every distinct group that adds up to 15. Each group scores 2, even if it reuses cards from another group. Aces count 1 and face cards count 10.
Example: hand 5♠ 10♦ J♣ K♥ with a 5♥ starter.
- Each 5 pairs with each of the three ten-cards: 2 × 3 = six fifteens for 12.
- The two 5s are a pair for 2.
That’s counted aloud as “fifteen two, four, six, eight, ten, twelve, and a pair is fourteen.”
A tip for spotting them: start with the ten-cards and look for 5s, then look for bigger groups (7 + 8, 6 + 9, 4 + 5 + 6, 2 + 3 + 10 and so on).
Fifteens are also why fives are the best cards to put in your own crib; see what to discard to the crib.