Cribbage is sometimes considered a rather an old-fashioned game, but great fun and sometimes, strategically challenging! This piece describes a strange game and with interesting results.
“Curious case at Four-Handed Cribbage – where not any of the four parties can hold a single first point in hand, and yet the dealers shall win the game the first show:-
Example. – Let A and B deal against C and D, each person to hold a three, four, six, seven, with any tenth card, and each to lay out their tenth card for the crib; D then cuts the card for the turn-up, which proving to be a knave, A and B mark two points. It being C’s first play, he leads with pitching his four, which B pairs, and marks two points; D then plays his four and marks six points for a pair royal*; A then plays his four, making a double pair royal, for which he scores twelve points; C then plays again with his three, which is paired by B, who marks two points more; D plays his three, and marks six for a pair royal; and A comes in with his three likewise, which making a double pair royal, and the end hole, he marks for such thirteen points; C then plays off again with his seven, and marks six points: and A, playing his seven, makes a double pair royal, for which, and the end hole, he marks thirteen points more; here again C plays his six, which is paired by B, who scores two points; D plays his six and marks six points; and A, who is the last player, makes a double pair royal with his six, for which and the end hold, he marks thirteen points, which, with the various other points played by A and B, complete the game, or sixty-one points; while C and D have only been able to play twenty-four points. Thus the game is won by A and B without holding a single point.”
The Stamford Mercury, 30th January, 1824.
*a pair royal – that is, three cards of the same rank.
(Did you know that there is a thriving Cribbage League in the Stamford Area? If you would like to know more about it or to join one of the teams, contact Sarah on 07495 567643.)