Cribbage is a game of strategy, luck, and a little bit of math, where players aim to form card combinations that score the most points. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, understanding the top-scoring cribbage hands can significantly improve your strategy—and maybe even impress your opponents! Here, we’ll break down some of the highest-scoring hands in cribbage and how often you can expect to get them in a typical game.

1. The Perfect 29-Point Hand

What it is:
The Holy Grail of cribbage hands is the elusive 29-point hand, which is also the maximum score you can achieve in a single hand. This hand consists of three Fives and a Jack in your hand, with the starter card being the fourth Five of a different suit.

How it scores:

• 8 points for 15s (four combinations of 15: Jack + one Five for each of the four Fives)
• 12 points for pairs (six pairs of Fives)
• 1 point for “His Nobs” (Jack matches the suit of the starter card)

How common is it?
The 29-point hand is extremely rare. Statistically, the odds of getting this hand are roughly 1 in 216,580 hands. Most cribbage players will go their whole lives without seeing one, but when it happens, it’s worth celebrating!

2. The 28-Point Hand

What it is:
The 28-point hand is very similar to the perfect 29-point hand but lacks the “His Nobs” bonus. In this case, you would still hold three Fives and a Jack, with the starter card being the fourth Five, but the Jack doesn’t match the suit of the starter card.

How it scores:

• 8 points for 15s
• 12 points for pairs

How common is it?
This hand is also quite rare, though slightly more common than the 29-point hand. The odds are estimated at about 1 in 15,028 hands. While it’s an exciting hand to have, it doesn’t happen often, making it a thrill when it does.

3. 24-Point Hand

What it is:
A 24-point hand usually consists of combinations of Fives and Ten-value cards (10s, Jacks, Queens, or Kings). The most common version of this hand includes four Fives (three in hand and one as the starter card) and a Ten card of any kind.

How it scores:

• 8 points for 15s (four 15s: each Ten-value card combined with two of the Fives)
• 12 points for pairs (three pairs of Fives)
• 4 points for a run of three Fives and the Ten

How common is it?
A 24-point hand is still a strong, high-scoring hand, but it’s relatively rare. The odds of being dealt a 24-point hand are approximately 1 in 4,770 hands.

4. The 20-Point Hand

What it is:
A 20-point hand is a powerful combination of Fives and Ten-value cards. A typical example is holding three Fives and a King, with the starter card being another King.

How it scores:

• 8 points for 15s (each Ten-value card paired with two of the Fives)
• 6 points for pairs (three pairs of Fives)
• 6 points for a pair of Kings

How common is it?
A 20-point hand is a solid and relatively strong hand, but it doesn’t come around often. The odds of receiving a 20-point hand are about 1 in 72 hands. While it’s not as rare as the 29 or 28-point hands, it’s still an exciting hand to draw.

5. 19-Point Hand

What it is:
The 19-point hand is a solid cribbage hand that typically involves some combination of Fives and Tens. One of the most common versions is three Fives and a Ten-value card, with the starter card being a Ten or Five.

How it scores:

• 8 points for 15s
• 6 points for pairs
• 3 points for a run (if applicable)

How common is it?
The 19-point hand is more frequent than the previous hands mentioned. The odds of being dealt a 19-point hand are around 1 in 18 hands. This is a hand that experienced players will see often and know how to maximize.

6. 16-Point Hand

What it is:
The 16-point hand can come in many forms but usually involves a mix of Fives and Ten-value cards. An example might be holding two Fives, a King, and a Queen, with a Five as the starter card.

How it scores:

• 8 points for 15s (multiple combinations of 15)
• 6 points for pairs (two pairs of Fives)

How common is it?
The 16-point hand is relatively common in cribbage. You’re likely to see this hand in regular play, with odds of about 1 in 14 hands. While not the highest scoring, it’s a solid and frequent hand that can give you an edge in the game.

7. 12-Point Hand

What it is:
A 12-point hand is one of the most common good hands in cribbage. It usually consists of a few Fives and Ten-value cards or a well-placed run. An example might include two Fives and two Tens, with a Ten as the starter card.

How it scores:

• 6 points for 15s (several combinations of Fives and Tens)
• 4 points for pairs (two pairs of Fives)

How common is it?
The odds of getting a 12-point hand are about 1 in 4 hands, making it a fairly common and respectable hand. Experienced players will often aim for a hand like this or better.

While cribbage has its share of luck, understanding the top-scoring hands can give you a strategic edge. Whether you’re hoping to land the coveted 29-point hand or simply want to make the most out of your 12-point hands, the excitement of the game lies in making the best decisions with the cards you’re dealt. Keep practicing, and who knows—you just might hit that perfect hand in your next game!