Cribbage has a lot of funny words and terms, and it gets even worse when you play with regular players.
There are a ton of Cribbage slang words that mean something completely different depending on your area.
To make your life easier, I compiled this list of 21 common slang terms you may come across.
Note: After you check these out, head over to the massive Glossary of Cribbage Terms for official definitions of all Cribbage-related words.
Table of Contents
19 Hand
A 19-point hand or Crib is impossible. When someone says they have 19 points, they actually have zero.
15-2 and the Rest Won’t Do!
Cribbage has a ton of little sayings like this. When you only have two points, tacking on a little “…and the rest won’t do” is pretty common.
15-2, 15-4 and There Ain’t No More
Even my grammatically correct retired English teacher of a grandfather says this one all the time. I’ve heard a few people switch it out for something like “…and there is no more,” but I kind of like this version best.
It’s important to note with all these sayings around points that it doesn’t have to be 15s. They could be pairs too.
2, 4, 6 and the Rest Won’t Mix
Here’s another saying for counting points. I’d never heard this one growing up.
When I started playing in Grass Roots clubs, I heard it, and now I love it!
2, 4, 6, 8, and the Rest Won’t Mate
Another counting one for 8. This is the least said one of all that I’ve listed above.
Bust Hand
A zero-point hand. Usually not in reference to a Crib.
Well, this is a bust hand!
Cards
The point for playing the last card during the Play or pegging is called “Last Card.” It’s common to says nothing and just take your point.
But it’s also common to simply say “Cards.” Not that Last Card is much longer, but it’s just one of those things.
28 and 1 point for cards.
Consy
Slang for consolation tournament. Large tournaments have two days; one for the qualifying round and one for the playoffs.
If you end up knocked out in the qualifiers, you can join a consolation tournament for another chance to win something.
Well, I got knocked out of the qualifier, but maybe I’ll do better in the consy.
Corners
Parts of the cribbage board to help determine board position. They are the 30, 60, and 90th holes.
My cut was awesome. I ended up around the first corner after the first hand!
Dimes
Another word for a card with a pip value of 10. This includes Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings. It can also refer to two cards adding up to 10.
I got a double run of Dimes here. I hope I get a 5 cut!
Double Double Run
A slang term for a special type of run. This is built off of a single run with two sets of pairs.
An example is: A-A-2-3-3. In the end, this is worth 16 points.
I’ve got a double double run for 16.
Double Run
One of the common “large” hands. A double run consists of a single run with a single pair in it.
An example is: A-2-2-3. This is worth 8 points in the end.
If you have a single run of four with a pair (A-2-2-3-4), then it’s worth 10 points.
15-2, 15-4, and a double run is 8 more for 12.
Gift in Crib
As the non-dealer, if you have to throw good cards into the dealer’s crib, it’s common to say you gave them a gift in their crib.
*Sigh* Gift in your crib.
Kitty
A slang term for the Crib, the extra hand the dealer gets to count at the end of the round.
My hands was junk, but now for the Kitty.
Muggins
A common mode of play. This is where miscounting costs you points. If you underpeg, the opponent may take the missed points.
If you overpeg, your opponent gets the same number of points, and you have to go back.
Muggins. You missed two points.
Nibs
A term for when the non-dealer cuts a Jack. The dealer gets two points right then and there.
Also called Two For His Heels.
That’s a Jack! Thanks for the nibs.
Check out our guide to the Jack in Cribbage and what you need to know.
Nickels
A slang term for 5s. It may also be used in reference to two cards adding up to a value of 5.
I love throwing a pair of nickels into my crib.
Nobs
When the Jack in your hand matches the suit of the cut card (starter card), you get one bonus point for Nobs when you count your hand or crib.
15-2, 15-4, a pair is 6, and nobs is 7.
Par Hole
Positonal holes for determining your board position and if you need to be aggressive, defensive, or play down the middle. The Par Holes are considered: 18, 44, 70, 96. If you’re the first to these (or within 10 after a Pone deal), you’re in good shape.
I didn’t make my par hole here. I need to be more aggressive now.
Raggedy Andy
The lesser version of the Raggedy Anne worth 11 points. The hand is 2-2-6-7-8. Also valuable for its pegging value.
Raggedy Anne
Also called a Raggedy 13.
A special and rare hand worth 13 points. Some clubs have a side pot for those who make it.
It goes A-A-6-7-8.
Rock
A zero-point hand or Crib. Usually referring to a Crib.
Royal Pair
A slang term for three of a kind. It’s worth 6 points. Also called a Pair Royal.
Salting The Crib
Another slang for when you have to give the opposing dealer some good cards in their crib.
Stink Hole
The 120th hole in the game. It’s one away from winning, and it doesn’t feel good to lose a game from there. In fact, it stinks!
Streets
Related to the corners, streets help you tell board position. 0-30 is First Street. 31-60 is Second Street. 61-90 is Thrid Street. 91-121 is Fourth Street.
The Box
Another slang term for the Crib, the dealer’s extra hand. Popular in the U.K.
Triple Run
A slang for a special type of run. It consists of a single run where one card is triple or three of a kind.
An example: A-A-A-2-3. For the runs and the pairs, you get 15 points.
Turn-up Card
Another term for the starter card or cut card. This one is popular in the U.K.
Two For His Heels
A term for when the non-dealer cuts a Jack. The dealer gets two points right then and there.
Also called nibs.
