How to play CrossCribb
A card is cut and placed in the centre of a 5x5 grid. From there you are never dealt a hand — there is one card face up at a time, and on your turn you either play it on any empty square or toss it to the crib.
You count one direction, they count the other. One side scores the five columns, the other the five rows — so every card you play builds one of your hands and one of theirs at the same time. That tension is the whole game.
Tossing to the crib does not end your turn: you get another card and carry on, so board plays stay strictly alternating however you feed it. You each owe the crib two cards heads-up, one each in 2v2.
When the grid is full every line is counted as a cribbage hand — 15s, pairs, runs, and a flush of four or more. The dealer adds the crib. Only the higher total scores, and only the difference.
First to 31 wins, over four rounds, six, or as long as it takes.
CrossCribb strategy tips
- Every square belongs to one of your hands and one of theirs. The best card for the square is often the one that does the least for the line crossing it.
- Only the difference between the two totals scores, so taking four points off their best line is worth exactly as much as adding four to yours.
- Tossing to the crib doesn’t end your turn — you draw again and still have to play. Use the toss to get rid of a card that would help the other side wherever it went.
- A flush needs four or more cards of the suit in a line, so one off-suit card dropped into their flush line is enough to kill it.
Common questions
How do you score CrossCribb?
When the grid is full, each of the five rows and five columns is counted as a cribbage hand with the centre card in its place: 15s, pairs, runs, and a flush of four or more. The dealer adds the crib. Only the higher total scores, and only the margin.
How many cards go to the crib?
Heads-up, each player owes the crib two cards. In 2v2, each of the four players owes one.
Play CrossCribb online
You can play CrossCribb at eCribbage Plus in any browser, on a computer, tablet or phone, with nothing to download. Open a table in the lounge and another player can sit down with you, or look for one already waiting; a free account is all you need.
