Cribbage Hand Score Calculator
Enter your 4-card hand plus the starter (cut) card to get a complete cribbage score breakdown: fifteens, pairs, runs, flush, and nobs.
What this cribbage calculator does
This tool scores a standard cribbage hand quickly and accurately. It handles all of the major hand-counting categories: combinations that total 15, pairs, runs, flushes, and nobs. If you are practicing, teaching, or playing online and want instant verification, this calculator saves time and helps prevent miscounts.
How to use the calculator
- Enter exactly 4 cards in the hand field, separated by spaces or commas.
- Enter exactly 1 starter card in the starter field.
- Check Score as crib only if the hand being scored is the crib.
- Click Calculate Score to see total points and a full breakdown.
Cribbage scoring rules used
1) Fifteens
Every unique card combination that sums to 15 is worth 2 points. Face cards are worth 10, aces are worth 1, and numbered cards count at face value.
2) Pairs
Each pair is worth 2 points. Three of a kind scores 6 (three distinct pairs), and four of a kind scores 12.
3) Runs
Runs are sequences of 3 or more consecutive ranks. The calculator applies standard cribbage run logic, including double runs and triple runs when duplicate ranks create multiple run combinations.
4) Flush
- Regular hand: 4-card flush in the hand scores 4; matching starter makes it 5.
- Crib: flush scores only if all 5 cards are the same suit.
5) Nobs
“Nobs” is 1 point for holding a Jack in your original 4-card hand that matches the suit of the starter card.
Example hands to try
- Maximum 29 hand: hand = 5H 5D 5S JC, starter = 5C
- Simple run: hand = 3H 4D 5C 9S, starter = 6H
- Double run style hand: hand = 4H 5D 5C 6S, starter = 7D
Common mistakes this helps prevent
- Forgetting one of several 15 combinations
- Undercounting multiple runs created by duplicate ranks
- Applying regular flush rules to the crib
- Missing nobs when the Jack is in the hand (not the starter)
Final thought
Fast scoring improves game flow and decision quality. Whether you are learning cribbage or sharpening competitive play, a reliable hand scorer helps you spot patterns and build intuition over time.