February 3, 2025
37% 37% | |||||
28% 28% | |||||
22% 22% | |||||
9% 9% | |||||
1% 1% | |||||
0% 0% | |||||
Total votes: 329 |
Joined: March 2016 (2111 votes) Monday 3:28 AM
I am considering my crib as an extension of my hand - points in my hand which increases in value except with one card, the five card. This card increases the value of my crib along with tens and face cards. |
Joined: June 2013 (4208 votes) Monday 4:01 AM
Every cut is helpful somewhere. Four points in hand, with the possibility of a double run.
AAAA,222,3333,444,9999 = 18/46 cards that immediately work with my discard. 18 cards = 3 * 6 cards = 3 * 13% = 39% chance of the cut immediately creating points in the crib. |
Joined: March 2008 (6030 votes) Monday 4:21 AM
In my best Elijah White downeast accent "I thought a 3 would be cut". Thought about 5-10. Should've gone that way. |
Joined: October 2008 (4376 votes) Monday 4:27 AM
Today we have a very tricky board position staring us in the face, because we're behind our target, and yet we'd also like to "tap the brakes" during the pegging on our Opponent, who probably stands a better chance of reaching that illustrious target than we do if we try to burst forward and do so recklessly. We are tied as the Dealer, and we want to stay in control of this game. 🌵
With a tie score and dealing, we should be able to WIN if we either: speed up a LOT, or if our Opponent slows down just a LITTLE. We can maybe do this with either Toss (7 7), Toss (5 T), or Toss (2 4). If we Toss (7 7), we hold the three-card Magic Eleven of 2-4-5, but these are also three "bunched up" cards. And yet if we Toss (5 T), while we retain the two-card Magic Eleven of 4-7, we are then stuck holding the two gapped Small Cards of 2-4! What to do? 🤔 Since we're in a pegging quandary here, and trying to close out this game safely, let's retain neither the two-card Magic Eleven of 4-7 or the three-card Magic Eleven of 2-4-5. What if we still hold onto the PAIR of 7 Cards for safe(r) pegging, and get rid of the two dangerous Small Cards?! 💣 Let's Toss (2 4) today! After the 4 Card Cut, we now have Four Points in our Hand, with prospects for a good Crib. But most importantly, the whole key to this intricate, double-edged position is to Peg Defensively, so our Opponent cannot gain the upper hand, as it were. 🔑 Since the Cut Card is NOT in our favor, I think we should stick with our plan and DEFEND during the pegging as best we can. We'll try to unload a 7 Card early if possible, because if Pone cannot retaliate and score on it, we are then fairly certain that our remaining 7 Card will also be immune. But if Pone PAIRS an early 7 Card, maybe we shall have the pleasant option to take or ignore PAIRS Royal. 🤸🏻♀️ |
Joined: April 2011 (4379 votes) Monday 5:39 AM
I like 5-10 keeping the magic eleven. |
Joined: February 2009 (1539 votes) Monday 6:03 AM
Like hand potential with this hold. 2-4 in the crib may capture some points. Eolus619 says: Mike...congrats on you currently being rated #3 on ecib for non ACC games... mfetchCT425 says: Thank you Bruce. |
Joined: August 2023 (41 votes) Monday 6:13 AM
That’s what I thought too. |
Joined: October 2008 (4376 votes) Monday 6:16 AM
An example game playout with REX Cribbage:
(81*-81) (As Ad 3h 3d) (4c Jd) vs (5c 7s 7h Td) (2c 4s) Ts, Feb 3, 2025 by RAS. 3 (3) 7 (10) A (11) 7 (18) A (19) T (29=1), 3 (3) 5 (8=1), (83-81). Pone = 8 Points, Dealer = 8 Points, Crib = 2 Points (93-89). (93-89*) (4h 5h 6d Td) (9d Js) vs (6s 7c 8h 8d) (2s 3s) 9h T (10) 6 (16) 6 (22-2) 8 (30=1), 4 (4) 8 (12) 5 (17) 7 (24=1), (95-91). Pone = 9 Points, Dealer = 16 Points, Crib = 4 Points (104-111). (104*-111) (2d 3d 7h 7c) (9h Kc) vs (Ad 6d 8c 9c) (2h Jc) Js 7 (7) A (8) 7 (15-2) 9 (24) 3 (27) "go" 2 (29-1), 8 (8) 6 (14=1), (107-114). Pone = 4 Points, Dealer = 4 Points, Crib = 2 Points (113-118). (113-118*) (2d 2c 8s 9c) (Js Qh) vs (Ac 3s 7h 8c) (6c Ks) 5h 2 (2) 7 (9) 2 (11) 8 (19) 8 (27-2) 3 (30) A (31=2), 9 (9-1), (116-120). Pone = 6 Points, Dealer = 4 Points, Crib = 9 Points (121-120). It's clear right off the bat how SENSITIVE the initial Relative Score is after observing this Endgame Battle. It illustrates how Good Defense, Opportunistic Pegging, and a Little bit of Luck can see us through. 🌟 Eolus619 says: John Thx for taking the time to construct these scenarios …THE QUESTION I have is ..I too discarded 2-4….holding 5-7-7-10…would you take 15/2 if a X is lead JQT says: Starting at this Relative Score, every point we GET helps us a bit, and yet every point we GIVE hurts us a LOT. Synopsis: Let's Play Off, DEFEND, and be patient. Respond to any "X" Card Lead with a 7 Card. Dare Pone to score on our 7 Card, and trade Two Points for Eight Points, not Two for Two! Make it DIFFICULT for our Opponent! 😈 Eolus619 says: Thx John for your answer AND your insightful contribution to DCH since 2008..❗️👏⭐️.. JQT says: Cribbage is my Life, so no worries, eh? And I'm so glad you said 'insightful' instead of 'inciteful'! |
Joined: January 2019 (1138 votes) Monday 6:35 AM
Most of you have thrown 2 4 but I’ve given myself 10 5. I wanted to keep the 4 7 (adds to 11) and was gratified to see the turn up. |
Joined: February 2023 (68 votes) Monday 6:41 AM
Don’t worry. They tossed a three to the crib!!! |
Joined: June 2020 (1620 votes) Monday 6:49 AM
I have played this configuration three ways ..2-4..5-10..7-7. I have settled on 2-4 after coming to the realization that cuts from 13/13 ranks help either hand or crib. Eolus619 says: 👍👍👏👏💥…congrats to DCH’s own Rob M for his win in Wolfeboro, NH over the weekend …that very well worn jacket/ sweater he frequently wears must bring him card luck❗️ |
Joined: November 2014 (3268 votes) Monday 6:59 AM
Always want a way to get a 5 in my crib. Keep the "magic 11" 4-7 combo and the 2-7-7 sweet 16. What's not to like? |
Joined: April 2021 (1299 votes) Monday 7:45 AM
The crib throw of either (2 4) or (5 10) would seem to offer more "safety" on the pegging while holding onto the pair of 7's, as I think my first priority should be to slow done pone, considering I am even further behind my par hole, while being tied on the board. I think it matters more "how" you peg this hand, than which of these choices you keep, as both have their pros and cons in hand and crib. I'm a (5 X) guy in the crib all things being equal, so I prefer the (5 10) crib throw. After the cut for 8 points, let's continue our plan of defensive...I won't pair a small card 2 or 4 lead, or even 15-2 on the 8 lead. I'll pair a 7 lead, as I can respond for 12 points if pone triples this. |
Joined: February 2009 (1593 votes) Monday 7:54 AM
Let’s face it -we are not going to hit a home run this hand-so let’s try to squeeze as many points possible with any cut while simultaneously holding the most flexible pegging hand to limit pone as much as we can Eolus619 says: 👍👍👏👏💥…congrats on your win in Wolfeboro, NH over the weekend …that very well worn jacket/ sweater you frequently wear must bring you card luck❗️ mrob2199 says: Bruce I’m usually cold so I either wear a jacket or sweatshirt -in the winter it’s always my lucky jacket! |
Joined: January 2024 (358 votes) Monday 8:13 AM
Difficult position, with a choice of pitches. 2-4, 5-T, 7-7? I will play defense here, which means the 5 disappears, and expect to manage the pegging battle. |
Joined: December 2023 (159 votes) Monday 10:51 AM
I see these hands way too often! Since We cannot win from here the hope is they help that 10, 5 I seeded in the crib. The 4 was a nice cut for this keep :) Sgt Pegger says: Yup! me2 |
Joined: July 2017 (555 votes) Monday 10:56 AM
We got some peggers here in our hand with this hold and at least a little more coming back from the crib. |
Joined: April 2008 (6711 votes) Monday 12:26 PM
Defense on the keep , offense to the crib . 96 looking real possible here now. dec |
Joined: July 2016 (1730 votes) Monday 1:37 PM
I'm keeping three cards of high pegging value, and the only discard that gives me a shot at a 24 Crib. Note the 2-4-5 Magic Eleven and the 2-4-10 Sweet Sixteen. On an X-Card lead let's play our 4. Inushtuk1 says: Like a few days ago, this may be more a question of playing style, and pegging properly with which ever of the top three options you choose. Ras2829 says: Hi Inushtuk1: Like your thinking! Note a large % have voted for this; you are first of those to comment. More later! |
Joined: February 2008 (5573 votes) Monday 1:59 PM
At 81*-81 playing a Defense strategy for the pegging the dynamic expected averages and Win/Loss %s are:
_______________Pone's Defense___Hand_Pegs___Crib___Total____W3 %____W4 % 5-7-7-10___6.61+(-2.15)+4.45=8.91____43.4____62.5 2-4-7-7____4.26+(-2.13)+6.59=8.72____41.4____61.6 2-4-5-10___4.91+(-2.13)+5.89=8.67____43.3____60.0 2-7-7-10___3.61+(-2.22)+6.60=7.99____37.1____50.1 Defense_______L3 %____L4 % 5-7-7-10_______28.7____22.7 2-4-7-7________28.8____23.7 2-4-5-10_______31.1____24.9 2-7-7-10_______42.1____34.7 5-7-7-10 is best for expected averages by 0.19pt. and is slightly best for Win %s and very slightly lowest for Loss %s. So, I'll select the 2-4 to discard. After the 4 cut I'll play Defense to the lead. |
Joined: August 2009 (2280 votes) Monday 3:35 PM
Let's prioritise helping the crib. And hold a pegging hand. |
Joined: October 2008 (4376 votes) Monday 7:01 PM
Here is another exciting and very instructive example playout:
(81*-81) (Ac 2s 3d Jd) (6s Jc) vs (5c 7s 7h Td) (2c 4s) 4d, Feb 3, 2025 by RAS. J (10) 7 (17) 3 (20) T (30) A (31-2), 7 (7) 2 (9) 5 (14=1) (82-83). Pone = 9 Points, Dealer = 4 Points, Crib = 2 Points (88-92). (88-92*) (8s 8h Tc Jh) (2d 6h) vs (7d 7c 9s 9d) (Qh Kd) 3d 8 (8) 7 (15=2) J (25-1), 9 (9) T (19) 9 (28=1), 8 (8) 7 (15=3), (89-98). Pone = 2 Points, Dealer = 4 Points, Crib = 4 Points (91-106). (91*-106) (7h 8s 8c 9d) (2h Kh) vs (Js Jc Qc Kc) (Ac 2c) Jh 8 (8) J (18) 7 (25-1), J (10) 8 (18) K (28=1), 9 (9) Q (19=1), (95-107). Pone = 12 Points, Dealer = 15 Points, Crib = 6 Points (116-119). (116-119*) (Ah 4c 5h Qc) (3d 7s) vs (2h 6c 7h Kd) (9c Td) 7d 4 (4) 2 (6) Q (16) K (26) 5 (31-2), 6 (6) A (7) 7 (14=1), (118-120). Pone = 4 Points, Dealer = 6 Points, Crib = 2 Points (121-120). Again, luck may have played a small part, but we were in dire straits after two deals sitting at (91*-106)! My frequent mantra about Cribbage Endgames is, "If you're Dealing from anywhere near the Final Corner (Hole 90), regardless of Pone's Position, you've always got a chance to WIN!" The lesson here is NOT to become discouraged by the disparity in the score, and hope that the random cards "balance out" in the end, as they always must do. The selection of Toss (3 7) on the final deal was instrumental, giving us just the right mix of cards defensively, while keeping the 'pip' count of our hand at a reasonable and strategic twenty, and limiting the number of pegging volleys to just two. One extra "go" or 'swipe' at Thirty-One could have ruined us! Retaining just Four Points at Hole 116 as Pone was a risk that seemed worth taking, given our very good pegging cards. I hope you find these Endgame Battles instructive. 🍹 🍋 🍰 |