As dealer, throw cards that score together, like 5s, pairs or cards summing to 15. As non-dealer, avoid that — give the crib wide-apart, unconnected cards.
The crib belongs to the dealer, so the right discard depends on whose crib it is. The figures below are average total crib scores under a uniform-random completion model. For each fixed discard pair, we score every possible pair of other crib cards and every possible starter from the remaining 50 cards, giving each completion equal weight. The values are rounded to one decimal place.
What a discard pair is worth to the crib
This model does not account for the four cards you kept or the opponent’s choice of discards. Use the averages to compare pairs, not to predict the score of a particular crib. The figures use different suits for pairs of different ranks; suited discards can also help make a five-card crib flush.
Best cards to put in your own crib
- 5-5: 9.0
- 5-J: 7.3
- 5-6: 7.1
- 5-10: 7.0
- 4-5: 7.0
- 2-3: 6.8
- 7-8: 6.8
Worst cards to hand your opponent, and safest
- 10-K: 3.4
- 9-K: 3.5
- 8-K: 3.6
- 7-K: 3.6
- 6-K: 3.6
- A-K: 3.7
The highest and lowest averages listed differ by more than five points in this model. Any particular crib can score more or less, so weigh the possible crib score against the hand you would keep.
When it’s your crib (you dealt)
- Fives are gold. Among the pairs listed above, those containing a 5 average more than 6.8 in this model, because so many cards are worth 10. Two fives average 9.0.
- Connected and fifteen-making pairs help: 2-3 and 4-5 can form runs with the other crib cards or starter, while 7-8 already makes fifteen. See how runs score in the hand and crib for examples, including runs completed by the starter.
- Pairs are good but not great. 3-3 averages 6.2 and 6-6 averages 6.3, well below the best 5 pairs.
- A jack has a hidden bonus. A jack in the crib scores his nobs when the starter matches its suit, which is why 5-J beats other 5-ten-card pairs.
When it’s your opponent’s crib
- Never feed a 5 unless your hand demands it: every 5 pair is one of the highest-scoring crib gifts.
- Split your discards far apart, with a king against a low or middle card. Kings are the safest cards to give because they only run one way (J-Q-K).
- A pair of kings is not a safe dump. K-K averages 5.0, well above a king with a 9 or an 8.
Weighing crib against hand
A point in your hand and a point in the crib are roughly the same trade. As dealer, a pair worth an extra 2 points to your crib is break-even if it costs you 2 points in hand. As non-dealer, giving your opponent 2 average points is the same as losing 2 from your own hand. Count the hand you would keep before you decide, using how fifteens score and how double runs score.
Whose crib it is depends on the deal, which alternates; see who counts first. The cribbage scoring guide covers the rest of the strategy, and the quickest way to build an instinct is to play a few hands: Play against computer shows the score for every hand and crib in the log.