Chicago Cribbage
Chicago Cribbage Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
HOW TO PLAY
Before the first deal, each player should receive a set of seven 'Chicago Cards'. These cards should be kept hidden from the other players, so that other players cannot see what cards a player has left. Each set of 'Chicago Cards' includes the following: 2 DEAL AGAIN cards 2 CUT AGAIN cards 1 REVERSE COUNTING card 1 TRADE HANDS card 1 NO FIFTEENS card
'Chicago Cards' may only be used at two specific stages during each round:
DEAL AGAIN may only be used immediately after the deal (circle the table once). CUT AGAIN, REVERSE COUNTING, TRADE HANDS, and NO FIFTEENS may only be used immediately after the cut (circle the table once).
DEAL AGAIN CARD
The DEAL AGAIN card is the only 'Chicago Card' that is used immediately after the deal. When a DEAL AGAIN card is played, the same player who just dealt the hand should gather up the cards and re-deal. The DEAL AGAIN card starts the round over again, so once again the option to use a DEAL AGAIN card begins with the player to the dealer's left, and moves around the table clockwise. DEAL AGAIN cards may not be used after the cut has been made, and must be played before anyone has discarded into the crib. Each player begins the game with two DEAL AGAIN cards.
CUT AGAIN CARD
Once a player uses a CUT AGAIN card, the card that was originally cut is flipped over, and the player who just cut immediately re-cuts the deck. After the re-cut, the option to use another 'Chicago Card' continues in a clockwise direction around the table. Remember, the CUT AGAIN card is the only 'Chicago Card' that can be used more than once in the same round. So if you play this card and someone else uses the same card after you, the deck will be cut again. If a JACK is cut, the player who exposed the JACK still pegs two points, even if another player demands a re-cut. Each player begins the game with two CUT AGAIN cards. The option to use a 'Chicago Card' moves clockwise around the table, starting with the player to the dealer's left. If a player does not want to use a 'Chicago Card', they say "Pass". Most 'Chicago Cards' may only be used once during each round. Only CUT AGAIN may be played more than once during each round. For example, if one player uses REVERSE COUNTING, no other player may use this same card during the same round; however, players may still use other 'Chicago Cards'. Once all players have either used a 'Chicago Card' or passed, the pegging portion of the round begins, and the game progresses like a normal game of Cribbage. When a player uses a 'Chicago Card' it should be placed face up in a visible place during the round. At the end of each round, turn the used cards face-down so they are not confused with new, active 'Chicago Cards' in later rounds.
ENDING THE GAME
The game ends like a regular game of Cribbage. The winner is the first player/team to reach the final pegging hole. There is no benefit if a player still has unused 'Chicago Cards' at the end of the game.
REVERSE COUNTING CARD
When a player uses a REVERSE COUNTING card, this player's opponent(s) must count backwards when scoring both the hand and the crib. However, during the pegging round, all players move forward as normal.
For example, if a player's opponent has 2, 3, 4, and 5 and a 2 is cut, he must move back 10 points instead of moving forward. The REVERSE COUNTING card only affects a player's opponent(s); it does not affect the player playing the card. If playing with three players, both your opponents count backwards. In four-person Cribbage your partner counts forwards as well. Players cannot peg below zero.
Warning: when counting backwards, make sure you count from your front peg. It is easy to make the mistake of counting from your back peg.
This card may only be used by one player during a round. REVERSE COUNTING is a good card to save for later, but if you save it for too long, you may never get to use it! If someone later plays a TRADE HANDS card, it does not negate or change the Reverse Counting effects. Each player begins the game with one REVERSE COUNTING card.
NO FIFTEENS CARD
When a player uses a NO FIFTEENS card, no fifteens score any points for the entire round. This includes during the pegging round, when scoring players' hands, and when scoring the crib. For example, if a player has 5, 5, 10, and 10, and a 3 is cut, the hand scores 4 points instead of the usual 12 points. Two points are awarded for each pair, while no points are awarded for the four ways to make fifteens. Using this card could backfire: this card removes the ability to count fifteens for all players, including the person who played the NO FIFTEENS card. If a player is required to count backwards because someone has used a REVERSE COUNTING card, the NO FIFTEENS rule still applies. This card may be used by only one player during one round! Each player begins the game with one NO FIFTEENS card.
TRADE HANDS CARD
Once a player uses a TRADE HANDS card, the player must exchange all his cards with someone on the opposite team. After cards are exchanged, the option to use another 'Chicago Card' continues in a clockwise direction around the table. This card may only be used by one player during one round! If playing with three or four players, you may trade with only one of your opponents. You may not look at the other players' hands before deciding who to trade cards with. The crib is not included with the trade. Each player begins the game with one TRADE HANDS card.
CARD CAPTIONS
The sheet prints the following blurbs (captions for the card and deck illustrations) in this order, reproduced as printed:
The four decks of 'Chicago Cards'. A complete deck of 'Chicago Cards'.
Don't like the cards you've been dealt? No worries! Use this card to demand a re-deal. Were you hoping for a better cut? Would you like to try again? Use this card to demand a re-cut.
Is your opponent too far ahead? Want to catch up fast? Use this card to make your opponent count backwards while you count forwards. Has a 5 been cut and you have no face cards? Now would be a perfect time to use this card. Use NO FIFTEENS to prevent fifteens from scoring any points. Are your cards lousy? Do you think someone else has better cards? Use this card to steal your opponent's hand, and at the same time, leave them your lousy cards.
NOTES
Players must be able to play Cribbage to play this game. Instructions for Cribbage are not included. A crib board and pegs are required.
Transcriber's notes on the text layer: the sheet's PDF text has a stray single-letter heading ("J") directly above the Cribbage requirement note, which is not transcribed as a heading. The REVERSE COUNTING example and its warning and closing paragraph appear in the text layer after the NO FIFTEENS and TRADE HANDS sections and after that stray "J"; they are regrouped here under REVERSE COUNTING CARD, where they belong by content. The three blurbs are grouped under CARD CAPTIONS. No wording was changed.