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The Zone is proud to introduce Dan Barlow, noted Cribbage expert and player on the Zone. Dan writes Pegging Pointer, a series of articles devoted to Cribbage play and strategy. He also has a series of excellent books on Cribbage, which can be obtained from his Web site.
Purchase Books From Dan Barlow Publications
By Dan Barlow
Many cribbage strategies are based on the reality that there are more ten-cards in the deck than any other kind. It's not unusual for your opponent to be dealt several face cards, and he will often save them. You undoubtedly try not to make the count 5 or 21 during the pegging, because of the likelihood opponent has ten-cards. You can take advantage of his likelihood to often have face cards in several ways.
As dealer, if opponent leads out with a face card and you have two cards which total 11, play one of them. If opponent follows with another face card, you score 31-2. This works often enough that it's worth trying to save two cards that total 11 if you have a choice.
As non-dealer, if you have two cards that total 5 (2-3 or A-4), lead one. If dealer plays a face card, you score 15-2.
Also as non-dealer, if you have three cards that total 11, lead one. If opponent plays a 10, play another card from your 11-combination. A second 10-card from dealer nets you a 31-2.
Along with his face cards, opponent usually saves his 5, if he has one. Try hanging onto 3-4, 4-6, or 6-7. You may score a run at the end of the play, as in the two examples here:
Hand One
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Opponent
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You
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Q
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9(19)
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Q(29-1)
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6
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J(16)
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6(22)
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5(27)
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4(31-5)
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Hand Two
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Opponent
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You
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K
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10(20)
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Q(30-1)
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2
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J(12)
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3(15-2)
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5(20)
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4(24-4)
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In summary, once you've seen one or two of opponent's cards, you can make an intelligent guess as to what else he has. But when you've seen nothing, your best guess is that he has face cards, and 5's.
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