Cribbage

Standard 52-card deck, 2 players (4-player variant exists). Deal 6 cards each. Each player discards 2 cards to form the 'crib' (a bonus hand for the dealer). Cut for a 'starter' card.

First to 121 points. If the loser hasn't passed 91 points, they're 'skunked' (some count this as a double win).

Play phase: Players alternate playing cards, announcing running totals. Score points for: reaching exactly 15 (2 points), pairs (2), runs (1 per card), reaching exactly 31 (2), last card if total is under 31 (1). Cards are played until neither player can play without exceeding 31, then reset to zero. After play, count hands: non-dealer first, then dealer, then dealer counts the crib.

Aim for 15s when discarding to the crib - 5s and 10-value cards pair well. Keep cards close in rank for run potential. Don't give your opponent good crib cards - avoid 5s especially.

Cribbage was invented by Sir John Suckling around 1630 in England. The game spread widely and remains particularly popular in the English-speaking world and Scandinavia.