The most common Cribbage terms with short definitions, ordered by how often they come up at the table.
Crib
The four-card hand formed by each player's two discards. It is scored as an extra hand by the dealer at the end of the hand; its flush must be all five cards.
Starter (cut card)
The single card turned up from the deck after the discards. It combines with every hand during the show.
His heels (nibs)
Turning a Jack as the starter: the dealer pegs 2 points immediately.
His nobs
Holding the Jack of the same suit as the starter in your hand (or the crib): worth 1 point at the show.
Pegging (the play)
The stage where players lay cards on a running count up to 31, scoring points as they go.
Fifteen
Any set of cards whose values add to 15: 2 points, both during pegging and at the show.
Thirty-one
Bringing the pegging count to exactly 31 scores 2 points and ends the round.
Go
When a player cannot play without exceeding 31 they pass; the last player to lay a card scores 1 point for the go.
Pair royal
Three cards of the same rank, worth 6 points. Four of a kind is a double pair royal worth 12.
Run
Three or more cards of consecutive rank (suits irrelevant). Scored at one point per card.
Double run
A run of three or four cards containing a pair, e.g. 7-7-8-8: each duplicate makes another run, so scores stack.
Pone
The player who is not dealing. The pone leads the pegging and counts their hand first at the show.
Skunk
A win where the loser scored fewer than 91 points.
Quick play
The button that seats you with a real opponent in seconds, no waiting room needed.
Room code
A short code you share so a friend can join your private table.
Daily bonus
Free chips added to your balance once a day when you open the game.