Crib Strategy

Strategy for Discarding

When it is Your Crib
When it is Your Opponents Crib

Strategy for Discarding- When it is Your Crib

It is generally easier to discard when you have the crib; you don't have to worry about putting good cards into the crib. In discarding you have two aims:
    1) To get as much as possible out of your hand

    2) To build a good crib

In deciding what to throw away, The Starter Card must be considered but don't count on it too much. Try to hold cards that will be helped by several different starter cards.

Some good cards to put in your crib if they aren't helping much in your hand:
    1) A 5 or two cards totaling 5

    2) Any two cards totaling 15 (7 and 8, 9 and 6, or 5 and 10, J, Q, K)

Finally, MOST often you should discard what you don't need. Keep your four best cards.

The following table you should not try to memorize but just read over and note the points that are being made.
Here is the way to discard each of the following hands when it's your crib.
You were dealt:

HAND

K Q J J 8 5	Discard 8 and 5, While you will count one more point if you hold K Q J 5, the crib should be worth more than one point.
K Q 7 A A A	Discard K and Q. These touching cards may do some good in the crib.
K 10 7 7 5 3	Discard K and 10. Keeping two fifteens and a pair with shots at both a single and a double run.
K Q Q 5 4 3	Discard 3 and 4. Keeping the three 10s and 5 will guarantee you 8 points.
Spades K 10 8 9 plus 5 of Diamonds	Discard the 5 and the K, keep the flush.
Q 10 8 6 4 2	Discard Q and 10, this leaves you with a series of every other even card but no odd numbers.
K 9 7 6 6 2	You get the same count by discarding either K and 2 or K and 9. Keep the 2 as it is more help in pegging.
J 10 8 3 2 1	Discard 10 and 8. Thus you are keeping one fifteen and three chances for a double run.
K J 9 4 2 1	Discard the 9 and 2, thus keeping the combination making 5 and two 10s.

Strategy for Discarding -

When it is Your Opponents Crib

There is no such thing as a safe crib, but here are several ways you can reduce the chances for giving your opponent a big crib.

*Avoid discarding cards that add up to five, a 3 and 2, or a 4 and 1.
*Avoid giving the Q, J or 3, 4; they often produce runs.
*Avoid two cards with just one between such as Q, 10 combination.
*Avoid 7s and 8s; they are big hand builders.
*Don't discard two cards of the same suit.

Sometimes it pays to give your opponent something good. If four of your cards combine to make a good hand then, give your opponent what is left over.

Here is the way to discard each of the following hands when it is your opponent's crib.

You were dealt:

K Q J J 8 5	Discard J and 8
K Q 7 A A A	Discard Q and 7, the 7 is not a good card to give your opponent but two touching face cards are worse
K 10 7 7 5 3	Discard K and 10, keeping two fifteens and a pair with shots at both a single and a double run, this could become a big hand
K Q Q 5 4 3	Discard 3 and 4, keeping the three 10s and 5 will guarantee you 8 points
K 9 7 6 6 2	Discard K and 9
Q 10 8 6 4 2	Discard Q and 2, It is impossible to make a fifteen out of all even numbers
J 10 8 3 2 1	Discard J and 8, The chances of making runs out of them are slim
K J 9 4 2 1	Discard the 9 and 2, A safe discard, you are keeping the maximum in the hand

Notice: Many times you discard the same cards and if it is your crib or not