What happens if someone forgets to peg their points?

If a player forgets to move their peg, they take a penalty drink and forfeit those points for that round. This keeps things moving and makes paying attention critical.

How do you handle scoring mistakes?

If someone miscounts their score and gets called out, they owe two penalty drinks. The correct score still stands, so double-check before assigning drinks.

What's the final penalty for the loser?

The player with the lowest score at the end has to finish the rest of their drink, so make sure not to fall too far behind during the game.

Can we mix drinks for this game?

Yes, but it's best to agree on drink proportions beforehand. If everyone else is sipping beer and you're chugging whiskey shots, it might get dicey by round three.

Cribbage Pegging - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Cribbage Pegging is a drinking game in the Card Games category for 2-4 players that takes about 15-30 min with a medium difficulty level.

Simplified cribbage with drink pegging

Equipment Needed

Standard deck of cards
Drinks

Setup

Shuffle a standard deck of cards and deal six cards to each player. Each player picks four cards to keep, while two go to the 'crib' (a separate hand scored by the dealer). Assign drinks to represent pegging points,use shot glasses, beer sips, or an agreed-upon drink size. Make sure everyone has their drink within reach, and decide who will be the first dealer by drawing cards (highest card wins).

How to Play Cribbage Pegging

Set up the game according to basic rules
Players take turns or play simultaneously
Penalties result in drinking
Success means assigning drinks
Continue until winner emerges
Loser faces final penalty
Winner earns bragging rights
Adjust rules as needed for your group

Tips & Strategies

Start small with your drink choices; a big sip for every peg can add up fast. Memorize basic cribbage scoring combos like 15s and pairs,they'll help you assign drinks strategically. Keep an eye on the pegging phase, as successful pegging not only scores but lets you assign drinks to others. If you're the dealer, remember the crib is yours, so plan your discards carefully to maximize your scoring potential (and maybe make someone take an extra drink).

Variations

The dealer drinks double for any penalties during their turn to keep them on their toes.: If a player scores exactly 31 during the pegging round, they can steal the crib and assign its drinks to someone else.: Any pegging play that earns five or more points at once forces the player who scored to chug their drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if someone forgets to peg their points?: If a player forgets to move their peg, they take a penalty drink and forfeit those points for that round. This keeps things moving and makes paying attention critical.
How do you handle scoring mistakes?: If someone miscounts their score and gets called out, they owe two penalty drinks. The correct score still stands, so double-check before assigning drinks.
What's the final penalty for the loser?: The player with the lowest score at the end has to finish the rest of their drink, so make sure not to fall too far behind during the game.
Can we mix drinks for this game?: Yes, but it's best to agree on drink proportions beforehand. If everyone else is sipping beer and you're chugging whiskey shots, it might get dicey by round three.

Players: 2-4 | Duration: 15-30 min | Difficulty: medium

Related Drinking Games

Egyptian Ratscrew — Card slapping game with complex slap rules
Give and Take — Match cards to either give or take drinks
Ride the Bus — Guess the cards right or drink your way through
Card on Forehead — Hold cards on forehead and bet high
Old Maid Drinking — Match pairs and avoid the Old Maid or chug
Piquet Shots — Historical card game with drink stakes
Spoons — Four of a kind grab spoons - loser drinks
Phase 10 Drinking — Complete phases or drink the penalty

From Our Blog

Weekend Party Ideas to Keep the Fun Rolling — Planning a weekend party and want to make sure it’s a night to remember? Whether you're hosting on a rooftop or squeezing into a tiny apartment, the key to an unforgettable gathering is the right mix ...
Outdoor Drinking Games That Will Make Your Party a Hit — Throwing an outdoor party is a great way to enjoy the fresh air and good company, especially when you've got the right games lined up. From classics like Beer Pong to trendy challenges like Squid Game...
Outdoor Party Games That Will Make Your Summer Unforgettable — Alright, my friend, you've got an outdoor party coming up, and I couldn't be more excited for you. Trust me, there's nothing quite like the sun setting over a game of Beer Pong or the thrill of a [Squ...

Browse more Card Games drinking games or see all drinking games.