SIX AND SEVEN CARD CRIBBAGE
The six and seven card variations of cribbage differ very little from the five-card game. There is, in fact, no difference in the play nor in the crib, and very little in the mechanics of the game. The only differences of importance, apart from the number of cards, are that the non-dealer does not receive.
Three of Last, that the cars are played out to the end (the player failing to score for go leading again, thus giving his opponent the chance of making a pair or 15) and that in the six-card variation the play is twice round the board (121 holes ) and in the seven card three times round (181 holes).
The general principles explained for the parent game hold good at the six card variation. It is to be noted, however, that in the six-card variation the number of cards in the hand and in the crib are the same, from which it follows that it is not so important for the non-dealer to make an effort of trying to baulk the crib by his discard.
The two objectives preserving any values in poker hand and baulking the opponent’s crib are in this case on the same level, and either objective may be preferred, as the nature of the hand dictates.
THREE-HANDED CRIBBAGE
With three players, five cards are dealt to each player, and an extra one to the crib, to which each player contributes one card only. There is no Three for Last. The start is cut for in the usual way.
The player on the left of the dealer plays first, and has first Show. He deals the succeeding hand. The score may be pegged on a triangular board open in the centre, or on the standard board with a pivoted arm that permits a third player to peg. The poker game is one round the board.
FOUR-HANDED CRIBBAGE
With four players, two play as partners against the other two, the partners sitting facing each other. Each player is dealt five cards and discards one to the crib, which is the property of the dealer. The player on the left of the dealer plays first. The others follow in clockwise rotation.
Consultation between partners is not allowed, nor may they prompt each other, but a player may help his partner in the count of the hand or crib. The cards are played out to the end, as in the six and seven card poker variations. Game is usually twice round the board (121 holes).