I learned the game as an adolescent, so I've been playing it now for over 50 years (yikes). I learned to play at a friend's house on a "cribbage table" which her father had made. I've never seen one of these before or since, but isn't it a great idea?
My Rare One and I have been playing crib a lot during the pandemic. It helps to pass the time.
(1) Our Boards
My crib board is a classic long board which I bought 30 years ago at a Greyhound Bus Station smoke shop.
I gave this golf-themed board to My Rare One about 15 years ago and, until recently, it was the board we always played on at her house.
But last month, she bought a new board in the classic "perfect 29 hand" style (the highest single score possible in crib).
I like this board for two main reasons. First, it displays one combination of the basic cards you need for a perfect 29 hand. Secondly, it clearly marks not only the Skunk Line (S) but also the Double Skunk Line (SS). It is a great disgrace for a player to be behind either of these lines when the other player wins (doubly so for the Double Skunk Line, of course). And speaking of skunks . . . .
We follow the "ancient tradition" (LOL) that whoever gets skunked must accept temporary custody of a little skunk figurine. My Rare One's skunk is a DIY skunk, which she created by painting a little black cat key chain with white stripes. She did a good job, eh?
I bought my skunk in a gift shop at Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia when we were down in the Maritimes a few years ago. It's a little wooden hand-carved and hand-painted "folk art" skunk.
I have named him "Wally the Wall-Eyed Skunk" for obvious reasons. (Sorry about the blurriness of this photo, but you get the point).
Skunks are good to have around right now for more reasons than just cribbage, too . . . .
(3) The 28 Point Hand
Neither My Rare One nor I have ever had a perfect 29 hand. They're pretty rare. But this summer, My Rare One got sooooooooooo close -- she had a 28 point hand! She had a 10 of clubs instead of a Jack of clubs and so missed receiving that crucial extra point. But still!
Here I am congratulating her, in the spirit of good sportsmanship --
Here I am congratulating her, in the spirit of good sportsmanship --
49 comments:
Looks like you have so much fun with Cribbage. I don't know a thing about it, but it does look interesting. Must look it up but who would I play with. Hubby is not into games.
Must admit I've never heard of this game before!
I love cribbage but sadly have no one to play with these days.
dr. spo would probably like this post. I like your little skunk. and yes, so sporting of you when the wife wins! I have never played cribbage.
OMG so much fun!
I have never played cribbage, but this looks like a fantastic pastime! In the last years my one friend's mom got me into playing cards (they still have to explain to me what a Texas hold them down is) and I really like it. The idea to playing with a board is fantastic! I'm going to look for one to give as a xmas gift or something.
The little homemade skunk is too cute!
And I love the idea of that social distancing service animal! LOL
XOXO
Never played that, it looks like you are having fun, and telling her she is Number 1!
I have often heard folks talk about cribbage. Never played, but have always been interested.
I haven;t played in a long time. i should get us a board. And while I don't play golf, I really like the golf course board!
It's all Greek to me.
haha...you are my kind of girl!
I don't play but I like the look of the table board. It would be a nice way to sit on the porch and relax.
Guess things are way different in Canada, because that good sportsmanship congratulations hand gesture has an entirely different meaning in my neck of the woods. LOL.
I adore your sportsmanship Debs! And why did I not think of a shunk to take with Buster on walks...that would keep the kids at bay.... I have never played cribbage. My odd game of choice is Mahjong.
Out of all these pictures, the only things I know about are the finger and the hole in the deck of cards.
What is this strange, magic language you are speaking? I must know. Why, oh why did I come from a non-cribbage playing knuckle scrapers?
I've heard of cribbage, but never played it or even knew there was a special board that went with it.
My gran tried to teach me lo these 50+ years ago. I guess it didn't stick since I don't remember how the game is played. Love your variety of boards! And your awesome sportsmanship... lol.
That service skunk is brilliant.
I never learned crib. I always wondered how to play it though.
i've heard of cribbage, but never played. looks interesting.
blessings
~*~
I have never played cribbage. It seems very sophisticated:)
Now that I think of it, no skunks is another good thing about Taiwan. I am not much of a game player, but I believe we have a few cribbage sets somewhere, although on the miniature side.
--Jim
Oh Deb, how could you forget the "High Arctic Rule" of cribbage? It really increases the opportunities for your brand of sportsmanship -- LOL! For those unfamiliar with this Canadian rule, if your cribbage opponent fails to count his/her hand properly, you can cry "Muggins" and take their points for yourself...this rule should not be combined with alcohol consumption, however, as it is well known to cause fist-fights and black eyes!
Loved the social distancing service animal too... certainly a less controversial solution than the sharpened hockey stick I've been using!
We used to play Ludo - two players, all the counters on the table and arguments about the home-made rules so complex that no one understands them, especially after four of five glasses of whisky (also an essential part of the game).
@ Tundra Bunny -- My Rare One refuses to play Muggins because she says it makes the game too mean and ultra-competitive. Instead, we help each other out by spotting missed points. But I am fully capable of playing rough, tough, body-checking Muggins if someone wants to!
We have a cribbage board but haven't played in years. Thanks for the reminder.
I have no idea how to play so all that talk about perfect hands and skunks is just right over my head. Not much of a game player. I do like the way you congratulate the winner however - especially that big smile.
Oh and speaking of skunks ... Thunderbutt and I see 2 baby skunks tumbling and playing on ma lawn almost every night ... Delightful watch from the safety of our balcony:) Love, c.
I remember playing crib with a childhood friend of mine. I did not understand the game (still don't), so he won all the time and I hated it.
My sister taught the grands to play cribbage. She had two boards like the first one, and she passed them out to the kids when we broke up housekeeping.
My dad loved the game and beating me at it. I don't play it much now but I did play my sister not too long ago.
Ah, so pleased to see good sportsmanship is not a lost art! And you look so happy being a good sport. I have never played cribbage but I'd be tempted to get into if only to start collecting boards... and skunks! And the social-distancing skunk is a brilliant idea.
Love cribbage. My late wife and I played thousands of games and one of the kids still has the original board. When my son or youngest daughter visit, the crib board gets hauled out. It is usually a toss up but my son has the edge on me over time and I have the edge on my daughter. What a wonderful game.
Before I was a student (the world was different in those times) there was an on-going two-player crib game set up in the Agricultural Students lounge. To play you threw a dollar into the jackpot. If the players pegged equally ie were even on the board at the end of a hand, they threw in another dollar and started the game over. People came and went as classes or interest allowed and the jackpot sat there until someone was the clear winner. Sometimes it amounted to real money.
I never learned how to play cribbage altho there have been boards in our family through the years..Love the picture showing your sportsmanship..Enjoy your weekend..
I have never played it
We have a lovely 1930s cribbage board made from aluminum with brass and steel pegs. I really like it - it came from my husband's father, but I have no idea where he got it from or who made it.
No cribbage played here. Skunks though, so cute. I love the social distancing service animal! hahaha
Cribbage is a great game. I must have played 100s of games over the years, though very little recently. I've taught it to a few people. At family reunions a board always appears. My cousins have a table board. I've got several, from pocket size to four track large size. Thanks for the memory stimulation!
Amazed it is still a living game, have not heard of anybody playing since James Herriot! Now I need rules and instructions on how to trash talk while playing (a very important part of all games).
@ Onevikinggirl -- Oh yes, I LOVE trash talk!
I think I have played at least once every game there is..except cribbage..don't know why..just ??? never happened..but I think I'd like to watch you two play...I like the hand signals.
I don't play cribbage. I have never tried it. But can I would really love a social distancing service animal. Does it come with protective gear--and 'just in case' tomato sauce--for the person in need? I'm asking for a friend...
Yes Mr. M and I have played crib for 39 years. It is a fun game and it does make time go by. I absolutely love your skunks, all three of them. But my fave today is the "flip off" My most favorite gesture. LOL Have a nice evening.
oh these are marvelous. My parents played cribbage all my life. My father liked to complain over the phone he had been skunked once again by Mother.
Oh I like Skunk Cat!
I learned to play crib with my grandfather - so more than fifty years ago. Haven't played for ages. He had a simple wooden board that you had to go up and down twice - I think. I don't think I've ever heard of being skunked though.
I know very little about cribbage. LOL, my mom in law wants me to get into mah-jong so I need to learn that game before I try to learn anything else.
I don't know anything about cribbage but I am a game lover so I get the thrill of winning. The mah-jong would also be fun. I've only played it on the computer but understand there are groups that you can join and an official store over by China town. Maybe I'll become a social butterfly after this lock-down and join all kind of groups.
Oh my goodness....thank you for the belly laugh. I love and appreciate your UNIVERSAL sign. ;)
I knew nothing about cribbage, and now I know a few things. 29, skunk and the finger.
Love the Loch Down monster one.
Yikes! I'm sorry and embarrassed that I fell so far behind. But I'm so glad I worked backwards and caught up on all the fun! My Dad taught me to play cribbage when I started third grade. I still love it! He had a pet skunk when he was a kid. He called it Sam. I've never had a 28- or 29-point hand. Congrats to your Rare One!
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