Finding the best hand in cribbage can feel tricky. Scouring forums, re-reading the rules, or just trying to recall the top point-getters, many people run into the same questions: What is the strongest combination? Which cards lead to bigger scores, and what should you really keep? To help with that, we sorted through the most common picks and player advice. Below are five of the most recommended hands according to real player feedback:
Best Hand In Cribbage Picks for November 2025 (By User Reviews)
- Type: Continuous 120 points | Tracks: 3 Tracks (3 Players)
- Board Wood: Rosewood | Inlay Wood: White Maple
- Board Size: 12.5" | No. of Pegs included: 9 | Velvet Cover included
- Adaptable To Any Event: Made of hand painted resin, this cribbage board is the entertainment you need on a rainy day at home, at an outdoor event, or while camping in the woods
- Perfect For All Ages: This fun game is suited for for kids and adults. It includes six pegs and a compartment underneath for storage and is perfect for family fun.
- Cribbage Basics: Cribbage may seem like an extremely complex game, but the only requirement to play is the ability to add up to 31. Games normally take about 30 minutes, although they can take 45...
- Type: Non Continuous 60 points | Tracks: 2 Track (2 Players)
- Wood combination : Bloodwood / Maple wood
- Board Size: 4" x 2.5" | Number of Pegs included - 6 | Leatherette case included for protection
- Adaptable To Any Event: Made of hand painted resin, this cribbage board is the entertainment you need on a rainy day at home, at an outdoor event, or while camping in the woods
- Perfect For All Ages: This fun game is suited for for kids and adults. It includes six pegs and a compartment underneath for storage and is perfect for family fun.
- Cribbage Basics: Cribbage may seem like an extremely complex game, but the only requirement to play is the ability to add up to 31. Games normally take about 30 minutes, although they can take 45...
- This basic board measures 3" X 10".
- Made from NE maple, this solid maple board has a clear coat finish.
- The game comes with 6 wooden pegs and playing instructions.
What Makes a Cribbage Hand Great?
The idea of the “best” cribbage hand bugs some people. Is it about raw points, how easy it is to get, or how you play your discards? For most, it just comes down to what will get you the highest possible score. This can feel simple at first. But there is a lot to consider, probabilities, counting runs, flushes, pairs, finding the perfect starter, and even predicting what your opponent will toss. Experience helps, but some information is universal.
A hand loaded with pairs and fifteens is usually your top priority, but flushes and long runs can’t be ignored. Balance matters more than most people realize.
Cribbage boils down to maximizing these basic scoring moves:
- Fifteens (cards adding up to 15)
- Pairs
- Runs
- Flushes
- Right Jack (his nobs)
Highest Possible Hand in Cribbage
If you search for the “best” hand, most answers quote the single highest-scoring hand: three fives plus a jack, with a cut five of the same suit as the jack. That adds up to 29 points, which is the best possible hand. But, not everyone gets this. In fact, it almost never happens to casual players. So, while chasing the “29” is fun, aiming for reliable 12-16 point hands is the real skill.
To put it simply, think about value you get most of the time, not pipe dreams. Four-card fifteens, combinations creating multiple runs (runs that overlap and multiply), and pairs layered on top are where many top players focus. That is more sustainable than hoping for a perfect cut.
How Cribbage Hands Score (Table)
| Hand | Typical Points | How Often |
| Double Run (e.g. 7-8-9-9) | 12 | Common |
| Triple Run (e.g. 6-7-8-8-8) | 15 | Less Common |
| Four Fives with Jack | 29 | Rare |
| Four of a Kind | 12 | Uncommon |
| Mixed Fifteens (e.g. 5-5-5-10) | 14 | Mildly Common |
When building your ideal hand, always count for multiple fifteens and overlapping runs, rather than banking on a high-scoring single card.
What to Look For in the Best Cribbage Hand
There is no shortage of opinions on what you should keep or toss, but most strategies boil down to a few simple ideas.
If you rely on luck alone, you might spike a huge hand once in a while. But most of the time, good habits beat hot streaks. Make cards count in more than one way, for example, a run that also contains a fifteen gets counted twice. That is where cribbage skill lives.
Most Valuable Hand Combinations Explained
Double Runs
A double run like 7-8-9-9 looks simple, but it pays off. You will get points for two different runs, plus a pair.
Multiple Fifteens
Holding three fives and a ten card is worth a surprising number of points, since every two fives with a face card or ten can make a fifteen, in a single hand it gets counted again and again.
Flushes with a Bonus
A flush of four cards (or five, if the starter matches the suit) is often overlooked. It is risky to hold for the flush though, unless it works with your other scoring plans.
Keeping the Right Jack
The “right jack” (same suit as starter) only gives one point, but if you can hold a jack and stack points on top, it can nudge your score just enough to keep you out front.
Best Hand Odds
Cribbage Hand Examples
What Experienced Players Do Differently
People who play a lot of cribbage rarely aim for the massive hand unless the cards are obvious. Instead, they watch which cards are safest to keep, and which ones set up a risk of giving away points. A lot of beginners focus only on their hand, but experts scan for common traps:
Watch out for discarding fives or pairs to your opponent’s crib. Even one careless discard can undo all your careful hand-building.
Classic Cribbage Mistakes
- Holding for a flush with no extra points
- Breaking up pairs to aim for one big run
- Tossing fives or tens into the crib
- Ignoring what the opponent might keep
- Over-prioritizing the jack, hoping for the cut
Mistakes in cribbage teach fast, because point swings hurt. Sometimes, even losing a single point on a risky hand can cost more than it seems, especially near the end of a close game. Playing steady, collecting points, and giving up as few to the crib as possible is the actual path to winning more often.
Table: Points Breakdown for Typical Cribbage Hands
| Hand | Points for Fifteens | Points for Runs | Total Points |
| 7-8-9-9 (Double Run) | 0 | 8 | 12 |
| 5-5-5-J (with 5 cut) | 16 | 0 | 29 |
| 6-7-8-9 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| 4-5-6-6 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Q-Q-Q-10 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Approach
Whether you are playing casually or in tournaments, choosing which hands to keep is part luck and part careful planning. Here is how to decide what matters most for your play style:
Advanced Tips for Better Cribbage Hands
No single trick wins all games, but these habits give you the edge.
FAQ About the Best Hand in Cribbage
What is the best possible hand in cribbage?
The best possible hand in cribbage scores 29 points. It requires three fives and a jack in hand, plus a starter card of the fourth five matching the jack’s suit. This hand is extremely rare.
How can you get the best hand in cribbage more often?
Focus on hands with multiple scoring options like pairs, fifteens, and overlapping runs. Do not just hold for rare perfect hands, instead seek consistent hands that score 10-14 points on average.
Why should you avoid discarding fives to the crib?
Because fives combine with almost any face card or ten to make fifteens, they are easy points for your opponent. Avoid giving away simple and easy scoring chances.
Is it better to break up a pair for a run in cribbage hands?
Sometimes breaking up a pair to create a run pays off, but usually only if you are also adding fifteens or picking up extra bonuses. Keep the hand that scores more, not just the one that feels luckier.
What is the average score for a good hand in cribbage?
A good hand in cribbage usually scores between 8 and 12 points. Any score in the double digits is already above average, hands scoring 14 or more are considered excellent.
If there is one thing that stands out after playing or researching cribbage hands, it is this: the “best” hand is rarely about a dream draw. Winning more often means stacking up reliable points, playing careful defense, and making fewer mistakes with your discards. How do you approach building your best hand in cribbage, and what has made the biggest difference in your wins?
Last update on 2025-11-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
