November 18, 2025

*** This hand was suggested by dogstreet
74-80*  ?
47%
47%
17%
17%
12%
12%
8%
8%
4%
4%
3%
3%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Total votes: 280
tevdodd

Joined: May 2021 (442 votes)

Tuesday 4:39 AM
Open ended cuts to 12. Lead the 8 let's see what pegs we can find.

tevdodd says: Ignore my lead. This is why you don't pre-determine before the cut card. Missing the big cut here means we now flip to full D and will lead the 4s.
Jsunfla says: Why lead the 8 regardless? Looking to learn. Thx!
BennieO says: For Jsunfla, lead the 8 if looking for offensive peg points because it keeps the “touching” cards 4-4-5 together for run scores or three of a kind on the play. Playing the 4 not as the lead can make the opponent feel safer about pairing with their own 4 later in play. Example: You 8(8), Them X(18), You 4(22), Them 4(26/2), You 4(30/6). Tev’s right on this play. 4’s better after the meager cut.
BennieO says: ^Forgot to mention the quick point gains that if you lead the 8 you now score points on them if they follow with a 2, 3, 4, or 5.
Rosemarie44

Joined: March 2016 (2354 votes)

Tuesday 4:43 AM
I'm am not in the majority with the collective but let's see where this decision goes.
mrob2199

Joined: February 2009 (1792 votes)

Tuesday 4:49 AM
A 3 or 6 cut gives us 12- the 8 lead gives us some hope for pegging a bunch-even with the tepid cut I’m still going to lead the 8 and get lucky with the pegging
Jazzselke

Joined: March 2009 (2956 votes)

Tuesday 4:50 AM
Poor relative position, all or nothing throw, 6 cut for 14 points.
dec

Joined: April 2008 (7064 votes)

Tuesday 5:05 AM
Try to keep them short of goal here. Prepare for the more all in hand next deal. dec
mfetchCT425

Joined: February 2009 (1720 votes)

Tuesday 5:33 AM
Going for the bingo 6 cut.
james500

Joined: June 2013 (4484 votes)

Tuesday 6:07 AM
Only the cuts of a 7 or 8 are unhelpful.
The 4 card to lead.
Two even cards discarded, (and now a third as the cut). Was there ever a conclusive answer as to whether even-even were generally safer discards?

Cribbage Pro Scrimmage
18th Nov 2025
🏆Score: 121 to 112
🌋SP: 1515
📅Streak: 155
https://www.cribbagepro.net/scrimmage/675/3333658/1

In hand four I discarded A-4. The app prefers that I keep A-6-7-7 in hand. 73% approval rating for my choice.
In hand nine, (my last one), I discarded 5-5 to my opponent, a decision the app hated. 2-2-4-9 was enough to go out with though.

Currently 52nd on the online multiplayer table. My score of 4229 has had me in the top 50 right up until the end. 11 hours to go, so let's see if anybody drops.
Friends of the site Hillchem and DPH are doing very well. Hillchem in 3rd place!
tevdodd says: I agreed hand 4 from 43*-39 was shocked app had it at just 73.
Tall Troy says: I've played Brutal where its hand was graded in the red, 40 and 30. Today in scrimmage, I believe it had one in the red. I realize that doesn't mean it was a mistake. Just wonder why it made such a move since it doesn't make mistakes.
Djgoat

Joined: December 2023 (408 votes)

Tuesday 6:35 AM
I couldn't justify tossing a pair or the 5 so this is what I'm left with.
Cribbage Pro Scrimmage
18th Nov 2025
🏆Score: 121 to 112
🌋SP: 1545
📅Streak: 7
https://www.cribbagepro.net/scrimmage/675/8363472/1
domandcarol

Joined: August 2023 (283 votes)

Tuesday 6:38 AM
Without much promise with dealt hand , couldn’t see making a risky toss and this looked to be a safe option
fentesk

Joined: January 2021 (1766 votes)

Tuesday 6:46 AM
General thinking was, if I get a 6 cut, I give up some points (only 11 vs 14), but play better defense if I don't get the top cut.

Is there some Cribbage adage about wanting filet but being willing to settle for a sirloin to avoid getting dog food?

8-9 is my second choice and I wouldn't be surprised to see it be HAL's choice.
Inushtuk1 says: Hi fentesk. I'm sure Halscrib will show it to be top choice for expected averages when you include the offensive pegging. But he may choose your way for the lower chances of losing, by avoiding the risky (8-9), or (9-9). If Bruce was here, he would remind us that Dealer's favourite discard is the (7-8).
Inushtuk1 says: And if JQT was here, he would remind us that the thing we have most control of as Pone, is limiting Dealer's forward progress with a balking discard. Okay this is not even close to being a top ten discard as Pone, but it's the best we can do with these 6 cards.
ryman554

Joined: January 2025 (277 votes)

Tuesday 6:50 AM
We can't be safe here as we're too far behind. Villian is +10, hero is at -12.

You toss either the 89 for 8 chances at (known net) 12, or the 99 for 4 chances at (known net) 12 and 4 more chances at (known net) 8.

The 89 it is.
ryman554 says: Actually, the 99 is known net 10 and 6, respectively. So even more of a reason to toss 89.
Inushtuk1 says: Hi ryman554. Respectfully the (8-9) gives you 4 chances (6666) for 14. However I was too chicken to toss it that way.
Gougie00

Joined: March 2008 (6310 votes)

Tuesday 7:53 AM
Not liking anything on the menu. Keeping the 445 together. Hoping the 89 doesnt go BOOM. A 4 hand and I need some creative pegging. Lead the 4 and generate some pegging.
Inushtuk1

Joined: July 2016 (1924 votes)

Tuesday 7:56 AM
I'm with fentesk for his/her same reason. Lead the 9s and play Offense after the cut.
SallyAnn3

Joined: March 2020 (1368 votes)

Tuesday 8:20 AM
At least Rob is on my island! Lesser of all evils, as an OG member taught me. Sometimes,advice sticks lol.
BennieO

Joined: August 2025 (94 votes)

Tuesday 8:39 AM
I opt for the defense lead of 4, but I see an attractive aggressive opportunity. Play leading 9(9), them following with 6(15/2), and then following with 4(19). Their 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 all now give points.

Cribbage Pro Scrimmage
18th Nov 2025
🏆Score: 121 to 108
🌋SP: 1655
📅Streak: 337
https://www.cribbagepro.net/scrimmage/675/7389935/1
BennieO says: Their 8 and 9 also give points through 31/2
BennieO says: ^Scratch that. Just the 8. I blame my head cold.
Sgt Pegger

Joined: July 2017 (817 votes)

Tuesday 8:39 AM
Total lock down for me today. I get nothing & they get nothing. plus, any cut helps.
Annabella says: Haha, sounds like a Mob boss saying….I get nothing, they get nothing…..But agree, do like the “anything helps”!
TheGrumpyUncle

Joined: June 2025 (144 votes)

Tuesday 9:24 AM
HalscribCLX

Joined: February 2008 (5838 votes)

Tuesday 12:56 PM
At 74-80* playing an Offense strategy for the pegging the dynamic expected averasges and Win/Loss %s are:

_______________Our
Offense___Hand_Pegs_Crib____Total___W3 %___W4 %
4-4-5-9S___5.52+1.74+(-5.34)=1.92____5.5____5.7
4S-5-9-9___4.83+1.46+(-4.49)=1.80____9.8____7.2
4-4-5-8____5.57+1.83+(-5.95)=1.45____5.2____4.6

Offense______L3 %___L4 %
4-4-5-9S______49.1___82.1
4S-5-9-9______44.8___78.6
4-4-5-8_______52.1___84.3

4-4-5-9S is best for expected averages by 0.12pt. over 4S-5-9-9. However, 4S-5-9-9 is appreciably best for Win %s and lowest for Loss %s. So, I'll 4H-8 to discard.

After the Q cut I'll lead a 9 and play Optimally (cautious offense):

Lead______________Net Pegging Points
9______________________(-0.95)
4______________________(-1.42)
5______________________(-2.37)
Assman

Joined: May 2024 (575 votes)

Tuesday 9:14 PM
Wow! Great comments and fun to see so many different discards.