Be the first player to score 121 points see (rule 8.10).

The basic game is for two players, and these rules apply to only the two-handed game in tournaments sanctioned by the ACC. Three-handed and four-handed versions of the game are played with essentially the same rules.

1. A standard pack of 52 playing cards is used. (Jokers are discarded.)
2. The four suits are considered equal.
3. The rank and value of the cards are as follows:

   card	K	Q	J	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	A
   value	10	10	10	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1

The cribbage board is used to show the score accumulated by each player during the play of a game (front peg) and the amount of the latest incremental score (difference between front and rear pegs). All ACC-sanctioned and satellite tournaments must be played on "long boards" — that is, sixty holes up and sixty holes down.

The following listed sequence is an outline of the actions performed in playing a game of cribbage and is intended for the benefit of those learning the game. It does not include any detailed playing rules, which are specified elsewhere in rule 1 and thereafter.

1. If the qualifying round has a cut-for-deal format, the pack is cut to determine which player deals first in the game; the low card wins. If the qualifying round has alternate-deal format, there is no cut to determine the first dealer. In an alternate-deal situation, the tournament director must announce the procedure to be followed in determining the first dealer and how subsequent first deals are to be determined.
2. The dealer shuffles and, after a mandatory cut by the pone (nondealer), distributes one card alternately to each player, beginning with the pone, until each has six cards.
3. Each player discards two cards to form the crib, which belongs to the dealer.
4. The pone cuts the remainder of the pack to select a starter card, which is used in counting the value of each player’s hand and the crib.
5. Play of the cards:
   1. Players alternately play (place face up on the table) one card at a time, starting with the pone. The cumulative value of the cards played is announced as each card is played.
   2. When a player cannot play a card without the cumulative total exceeding 31, that player calls "go," and the opponent continues to play all cards possible (not exceeding a 31-count). The player who calls "go" plays first in the following 31-count sequence.
   3. Points are scored during this play of the cards (see scoring chart in rule 1.7).
6. When both players have played all their cards, the pone's hand is counted and pegged by the pone (see scoring chart). The dealer then does the same for the dealer's hand and then for the crib.

The pack must be mixed or shuffled at least three times (including mechanical card shufflers) with the cards face down or otherwise hidden from both players. The shuffler is not permitted to look at the bottom card after the last shuffle. If the shuffler should do so, the nonshuffler is to remind the shuffler of the prohibition and score a two-point penalty. The pack shall then be reshuffled by the offender.

The pone has the right to shuffle the pack once per deal (legally mixing the cards as described in rule 2.1).

The dealer has the right to make the last legal shuffle.

1. Prior to cutting the cards to determine the first dealer of a game, each player should shuffle the pack, and the player who shuffled last must allow the opponent to cut first.
2. When cutting for the first deal of a game, the first player shall remove no less than four cards and not more than half the pack. The second player shall remove no less than four cards and shall leave at least four cards.
3. When cutting before each deal and for the starter card, no less than four cards shall be taken from the top and no less than four left on the bottom.

1. Each player's cut card is the card at the bottom of the cards in hand, not the card on top of the remainder of the pack. The player cutting the lower-rank card deals the first hand of the game.
2. If both players cut a card of equal rank, the entire pack shall be reshuffled. Players shall then cut again.
3. If a player exposes more than one card, said player shall cut again.

1. A cut is required before each deal. The dealer shall place the pack on the table (board) for the pone to cut. Neither player is permitted to look at the bottom card of the top pack. Should either do so, there is a two-point penalty, and the pack shall then be reshuffled and cut again. When cutting, the cards must be taken off together; they may not be taken off individually.
2. While cutting before each deal, the top pack must be placed under the bottom pack; no "middle cuts" are allowed. It is not permissible to distribute the cards from a portion of the deck. The dealer shall not look at the bottom card of the pack at any time after the cut. Should dealer do so, the pone is to remind dealer of the prohibition and score a two-point penalty. The pack shall then be reshuffled and cut again.
3. Should the cut be forgotten before any of the pone's cards are picked up, the pone may remind the dealer that the cut was not offered. The pack shall then be reshuffled, and the cut made. There shall be no redeal after any of the pone’s cards are picked up.

1. The dealer of the first game of a match (see definition in rule 1.6) shall be determined by cutting the pack (see rules 3.1 and 3.2).
2. If a player deals out of turn and the error is discovered before both players have played a card, the deal is void and the correct player redeals. If discovered thereafter, the hands shall be played, and the nondealer deals the next hand in that game.
3. In the first deal of the game, once the deck has been cut and dealing begins, it is assumed the cut for deal was made and play continues.

1. After the cards are shuffled and cut, the dealer distributes one card at a time, face down from the top of the pack alternately to each player, starting with the pone, until six cards are dealt to each player. It is not permissible to distribute the cards from a portion of the deck.
2. The pone has a responsibility to observe the dealing and to call attention to any irregularities.
3. The pone shall not reach for or touch the cards before the distribution is completed, except to use the hand or arm as a backstop to prevent cards from falling off the table while being dealt.
4. Changing decks during qualifying play is prohibited, except for irreplaceably damaged cards. Midway through the qualifying round, the tournament director must replace the deck with one of the same color at each stationary (anchor) position. In playoffs, a player may request a different deck after any game in a match, but each player is limited to one deck change per match.

1. If the dealer exposes a card or cards while dealing, the cards shall be reshuffled and redealt.
2. During the deal, if the pone looks at any of the cards or causes a card or cards to be exposed, there will be no redeal (see rule 4.2.c).
3. If a card is found face up in the pack during the dealing, the cards shall be reshuffled and redealt.

1. Before both players have discarded to the crib:
   1. If both players were dealt the correct number of cards and one player discarded the wrong number of cards to the crib (but before the other player discarded), the player who discarded the wrong number of cards may retrieve the discards and then discard the correct number to the crib.
   2. If both players were dealt the same number of cards, but less than the correct amount, the distribution of cards shall be continued until both hands are correct. If the pone was dealt the correct number of cards, but the dealer has one less and this is confirmed by both players, then the dealer takes the top card from the pack to complete the hand.
   3. If either player was dealt the wrong number of cards other than as specified in rule 4.4.a.(2), there shall be a redeal by the same dealer. The player with the wrong number of cards must allow the opponent to confirm the error. If the player does not, such as placing the cards face down on the pack, etc., the offender is assessed a backward penalty equal to ten points or enough to put both pegs "off the board," whichever is less. If the applicable backward penalty is less than ten points, the opponent is awarded points equal to the difference.
2. After both players have discarded to the crib: when an error is discovered, judges must be called to interpret this rule and select the appropriate actions specified in rule 4.4.c. Players must not move any pegs or any cards after the error is discovered unless directed to do so by the judges.
   1. Before the starter card is turned, if it is discovered that the wrong number of cards is held in either hand or crib, the action specified in column A of the table in rule 4.4.c shall be followed.
   2. After the starter card is turned, if it is discovered that the wrong number of cards is held in either hand or crib, the action specified in column B of the table in rule 4.4.c shall be followed.
3. Table of actions to be taken: the table (on page 24 in the book) lists all combinations of the incorrect number of cards in both hands and in the crib and the corresponding action to be taken. Columns A and B list the number of the action to be taken when the error is discovered either before or after the starter card is turned. The judges will follow the actions defined in rule 4.4.d.
4. Actions:
   1. The same player redeals.
   2. If the judges, in private conversations with the players, are able to determine which two cards each player discarded to the crib, those four cards will form the crib. If only one, two, or three cards can be verified as discards, they become part of the crib and a judge blindly draws from the remaining discards to complete a four-card crib. If no cards can be verified as discards, a judge blindly draws from the discards to form the crib. Any remaining cards are returned to the deck. Both hands and the crib are counted, and play continues.
   3. Play stops at time of discovery. Without exposing any cards in the crib, add the needed cards to the crib from the top of the pack. Play continues, and both hands and the crib are counted.
   4. Pegging and play continue. All of the pone’s pegging points count. Any points pegged by the dealer before or after discovery do not count. The pone’s hand is counted; the dealer’s hand is dead. The crib is counted if it is correct or has too few cards. The crib is dead if it has too many cards. But if the pone has cut the cards before the dealer has discarded to the crib, and the starter card has been turned by the dealer, then see and apply rule 6.1.a.
   5. The excess card(s) in the hand(s) are placed in the crib by the player(s). If the hands and the crib are not correct now, apply the appropriate rule.
   6. Add the necessary cards to the hand from the top of the pack to make the hand correct. Play continues.
   7. Play continues, and both hands and the crib are counted without correction.
   8. Play continues, and both hands are counted without correction. The crib is dead.
   9. Play stops at time of discovery, and all points pegged during the play are retracted. Both hands and the crib are dead, and the same player redeals.
   10. Play stops at time of discovery, and all points pegged during the play are retracted. The required number of cards is taken from the top of the pack and placed in the short crib. The pone’s hand is dead. The dealer’s hand and crib are counted.
   11. If the judges, in consultation with the dealer, are able to determine which two cards the dealer discarded to the crib, those cards are set off to the side. Then the dealer blindly draws two of the remaining three cards to form the crib. If the judges are unable to verify the cards discarded by the dealer, a judge mixes the five cards and the dealer blindly draws four cards to form a crib. Play continues, the pone counts his or her short hand, and the dealer’s hand and (new) crib are counted.
   12. Play stops at time of discovery, and all points pegged during play are retracted. Hands or crib with the correct number of cards or those with too few cards are counted. Hands or crib with too many cards are dead.
   13. Pegging and play continue (regardless of time of discovery) until the dealer plays his or her last card. If discovery occurs when the pone plays the excess card(s), pegging is retracted to the point of the playing of the dealer’s last card or continues until the dealer plays his or her last card. The dealer’s pegging points count. Any points scored by the pone during the pegging are retracted. The pone’s hand is dead. The dealer’s hand is counted. The crib is counted if it is correct. If the crib has too few cards, a judge mixes all of the pone’s cards, and the dealer blindly selects the needed card(s) to complete the crib; the crib is then counted.

1. If a pack is found to have a defect that could affect play, such as a card with a bent corner or a card with a visual defect on the back surface, etc. before either player picks up a card, the defective card must be replaced or a new pack substituted and the cards shall be reshuffled and dealt by the same dealer. If the defect is discovered after either player picks up any dealt cards, the hand shall be played to its conclusion before any replacement.
2. If two cards or more of the same rank and suit appear during the play or the scoring of the hands, the play stops at time of discovery. Any points pegged or scored are retracted and the hands and crib are dead. The same player redeals with a different deck.
3. A card found on the floor or elsewhere that is determined to belong to the deck in play shall be returned to the deck between deals.
4. A deck determined to be incomplete shall be replaced between deals.

1. The crib belongs to the dealer and shall be placed with cards face down on the dealer’s side of the board.
2. Cards placed face down on the table for the crib and released by the fingers, except for the situations in rule 4.4.a.(1) or 5.1.c, may not be retrieved and examined. The penalty is two points. If the two cards were not mixed with the hand, those two cards must be returned to the crib. See rule 5.2 if the discard was mixed with the hand.
3. Prior to the turn of the starter card, if only one player discards to the wrong side of the board, that player is permitted to retrieve the card(s) and reevaluate the selection.
4. If all four cards are discovered to be on the pone’s side, they shall be moved to the dealer’s side, without exposure, unless the starter card has been turned and each player has played at least one card. In that event, the crib becomes the property of the player on whose side it lies and the other player becomes the pone and next dealer in that game.

1. The crib may not be examined or exposed until the specified time to count it (see rule 9.2). The penalty for a violation is two points. The non­offending player must be allowed to view the cards in the crib.
2. If either player examines the crib before discarding to it, there is a two-point penalty. Then the nonoffending player blindly selects two cards from the offender’s hand, looks at the two cards, then places them in the crib. The two cards represent the offender’s discard. Play continues.
3. If the dealer interchanges the hand and crib, and if discovered before play begins, the dealer plays the correct hand. But if discovered after play begins, the dealer continues to play the crib and any points pegged by dealer are retracted. In either case, the penalty of two points applies, and at the time of discovery the pone may also see the cards in the intended crib.

Either dealer or pone may retrieve their discards to the crib, without penalty, if they do so before the opposing player has discarded.

1. No cards may be retrieved from the crib by either dealer or pone once both players have discarded to the crib.
2. If either dealer or pone discards too many or too few cards to the crib, see rule 4.4.a.(1).

1. Only after both players discard to the crib shall the pack be cut by the pone to determine the starter card. If the starter card is turned face up by the dealer before he or she discards to the crib, the starter card must be returned to the pack, the dealer then discards to the crib and reshuffles the pack, and the pone cuts the starter card. No penalty is assessed. Rules 4.4.c and 4.4.d.(4) do not apply.
2. The pone shall not look at the bottom card of the upper pack when making the cut. The penalty is two points. The dealer must be shown the exposed card.
3. The dealer shall turn the top card of the lower pack and place it as the starter card, face up on top of the complete pack. If the card is placed in the dealer's hand and is not seen by the pone, there will be a two-point penalty. The pone blindly removes two cards from the dealer’s hand, looks at them, and selects either one as the starter card. The other card is returned to the dealer's hand, and play continues.
4. If the cut card (on top of the bottom pack) is found to be face up, it shall be turned over, the entire remaining pack (40 cards) reshuffled, and the cut made again.

1. If the dealer exposes more than one card in turning the starter card, the correct (top) card becomes the starter card.
2. In the above instance, both players have the right to see the exposed card(s) before it is returned to the pack.

1. When a Jack is turned up, the dealer is entitled to two points.
2. The dealer may peg out into the game hole by turning a Jack starter card.
3. If the dealer plays a card before pegging the two points, the dealer forfeits them.

After the starter card has been turned, the deck must be placed on the dealer's side of the board.

1. The play of the cards starts immediately after the turn of the starter card.
2. The pone shall play the first card face up on the table, announcing its value. If the dealer leads the first card and the pone plays on it, the cards shall be returned to the hands, and any points scored are retracted without penalty. The pone shall then lead to restart play. However, if play continues beyond the first card from each player, the order of play is considered to be correct, and any points scored are awarded.
3. Each player in turn shall play a single card and announce the cumulative value (the count).
4. Each played card shall be positioned so as to overlap that player's previously played cards while keeping the identity of all cards visible. Played cards shall not be turned over before all cards of both players are played and the hands counted and pegged.
5. A single card that is released by the fingers is considered played, whether or not the count is announced, and may be retrieved only if it would cause the count to exceed 31, and any pegging that has taken place on this play is an overpeg (see rule 8.4.c). If the count exceeds 31 and the player claims the game, that is an overpeg and false claim of game (see rule 8.4.b).
6. If two or more cards are played together, the card that corresponds to the announced count is deemed to be the card played, and the other(s) shall be retrieved. If the count is not yet announced or does not correspond with any of the cards, the player may play any one of the cards and retrieve the other(s) without penalty.

1. Points are earned during the play of the cards for the following single card or combination of consecutive cards played. The player playing the last card that forms a combination earns the points (see scoring chart in rule 1.7):
   1. pair
   2. three of a kind
   3. four of a kind
   4. straights of three or more cards in any sequence
   5. a cumulative count of 15
   6. the last card before player calls "go" (i.e., cannot play a card that would not make the count exceed 31)
   7. a cumulative count of 31
   8. the final card played, not making a cumulative count of 31
2. A player may peg any points earned during the play of the cards and is permitted a reasonable time to do so (i.e., a polite pause). Then, either player may play another card, call "go," call muggins, or announce the total of his or her hand. When a player's opponent has no more cards or calls "go," the other player may play all playable cards in succession and announce the points scored before pegging the total at one time.

A renege is a failure to play a card or cards that could have been played before a player calls "go" or "31." (You cannot call a renege when a count is 21 or less.) Judges must be summoned to correct this action.

1. A player may correct a "go" call before either player plays a card or pegs a point. Thereafter, in the case of a single renege, when any reneged card is played, the opponent may claim a renege up to the time s/he plays their next card or announces the count of their hand. In the case of a double or triple renege, no matter which reneged card is caught first during that hand — a double renege is always a double renege, and a triple renege is always a triple renege.
2. Any cards played after the renege occurs or after the pegging of a "go" shall be retrieved by the judges, and any points pegged are retracted by the judges. The nonoffending player receives two points for each card that singly could have been played. For example, if the count is 25 and a player whose turn it is holds A-5-6 and does not play any of the three cards before saying "go," that is a triple renege, and the opponent is awarded six points (two for each playable card).
3. The nonoffending player decides if the reneged card(s) will be dead or played. The nonoffending player does not get to see the value of the reneged cards remaining in the offending player's hand, only having the right to decide if the reneged card(s) will be dead or played.
4. Play continues, and all cards in both hands and crib are counted, including those declared dead during pegging.
5. Exception: if a player calls "go" and their opponent then pegs out, the game is over. It is not a renege if that player had cards that could have been played.

1. If a player announces an incorrect cumulative count, he or she may voluntarily correct it prior to the opponent's playing of the next card or calling "go." A person who calls "go" to an incorrect announcement may withdraw the "go" and correct the count before the opponent pegs or plays another card. Thereafter the incorrect count is accepted for the rest of that series and any points pegged as a result are considered earned.
2. If a player's incorrect count announcement is not corrected voluntarily but is challenged by the opponent before the opponent plays the next card or calls "go," then the count shall be corrected. Also, if the offending player pegged points that would not have been earned with the correct count, the player is considered to have overpegged and the provisions of rule 8.4 apply.

Beginning with the outside track, a player shall record his or her first score by placing a peg in the hole corresponding to that score. Subsequent scores are recorded by advancing the rear peg over the front peg by "leapfrogging" the number of holes consistent with the score to be recorded.

If a zero-count hand or crib is held, the pegs must not be touched.

If the wrong number of points is pegged to the pegger's disadvantage (i.e., underpegging a forward score or overpegging a backward penalty), a correction is not permitted after the player’s fingers are removed from the peg.

1. False claim of game: a false claim of game may not be corrected. Judges must be called. If a player does not have sufficient points to win the game and performs actions similar to those listed below, he or she has falsely claimed the game and judges must be summoned:
   1. Pegging into the game (out) hole and releasing the peg.
   2. Placing his or her peg into the game-record holes (used on some boards to record the number of games won in a match).
   3. Advancing a game-record peg.
2. Penalty for false claim of game: if a player falsely claims the game, the following steps are to be taken before play resumes:
   1. The offender’s front peg shall be placed in the hole corresponding to the points actually scored. If both pegs were removed, refer to rule 8.5.b.
   2. The offender’s opponent is awarded points equal to the number overclaimed (i.e., up to the game hole).
   3. The offender is assessed a 15-point backward penalty (even if the nonoffender reaches the game hole as a result of #2 above).
3. If the wrong number of points is pegged to the pegger’s advantage (i.e., overpegging a forward score or underpegging a backward penalty), but less than enough to claim the game and before either player plays the next card or indicates acceptance of a pegged hand or crib, then:
   1. Upon discovery by the opponent, the peg shall be moved back to the correct hole, and the opponent scores the amount of the error.
   2. If the offender discovers the error, he or she may move the peg back to the correct hole without penalty, but must tell the opponent before doing so.
4. During play of the cards, if an incorrect pegging claim is not made before a new cribbage action occurs, the score stands as pegged. A cribbage action would include
   1. when either player plays another card,
   2. when either player pegs his/her hand or crib, or
   3. when judges cannot review the situation to make a call because some or all of the cards have been collected and mixed together.

1. If a player removes only his or her front peg when a score is not yet pegged (a peg is removed when it clears the top of the hole), then:
   1. If the mistake is recognized before the peg is released, then the peg in the hand becomes the rear peg and only the latest score may be recorded (i.e., only the previously recorded score is forfeited).
   2. If the player completes recording the score in the wrong direction and releases the peg, both pegs shall remain where they are and that score and the previous score are forfeited. If a player pegs from first street back to fourth street, upon discovery the peg on fourth street is placed behind the peg on first street. In the event that both pegs end up on fourth street, upon discovery they shall be removed from the board and the player shall start from the zero hole again.
   3. If the mistake is not recognized until the player uses the front peg to peg forward and releases it, then the front peg is placed behind the rear peg, and the latest score may be recorded (i.e., only the previously recorded score is forfeited), and there is no penalty added for overpegging.
2. If a player removes both pegs when there is a score to be recorded, players shall determine where the front peg should be placed. If the players cannot agree on the placement of the front peg, judges shall be summoned to decide the matter. Once the judges have determined placement of the front peg, the score of the hand may be pegged without penalty.
3. Once all hands have been pegged on one deal, both players’ back pegs must stay in place until needed to be used to peg in the next deal. Moving the back peg closer to the front peg to avoid pegging backward is a two-point penalty and the peg must be returned to its correct position.

After notifying the opponent, a player may adjust (tighten) his or her own loose peg or correct an overpegged score. There is no penalty for accidentally touching an opponent's peg (no harm, no foul) (see rule 8.7 if necessary).

If a player picks up an opponent's peg to record a score (forward or backward), the peg shall be returned to its former place. The nonoffender receives two penalty points. The offending player may then record the proper score using his or her own back peg.

If a player records an otherwise correct score but places the peg in the wrong track on his or her side of the board or in opponent's track, it shall be moved to the proper track without penalty.

A "go" may be pegged if previous play had made it clear that a "go" is warranted. If a "go" is pegged before the opponent has announced "go," the cards remaining in the opponent's hand determine if the "go" is warranted and may be taken, or whether the player has overpegged and a penalty for overpegging is involved, included the provisions of rule 8.4.a.

In all ACC events except match play, a player must peg out; if the player does not peg out, the opponent must remind him/her to do so (this rule does not apply in muggins tournaments).

1. If the player refuses to peg out, judges must be called. Judges will confirm the player’s refusal to peg out and rule that the game is not over. That player forfeits their score. Play continues.
2. If a player concedes a game to an opponent (in match play only), that concession is equivalent to the player pegging out. In a qualifying round, play continues.

While counting a hand or crib, the cards shall remain on the table, plainly visible to the opponent.

The counting and pegging of the hands and crib shall be done in the following sequence. Each step must be completed before the next is started.

1. The pone shall count his or her hand first, announce the total, and peg the score. Pone shall leave the cards face up until any claim of overpegging is resolved or until the dealer indicates acceptance of the pone’s pegging by counting his or her hand.
2. Next the dealer counts his or her hand, announces the total, and pegs the score. Dealer shall then place dealer’s hand on the pone's side of the board, still face up. The pone indicates acceptance of the dealer's score either by accepting verbally or by mixing the hand with other cards.
3. If the dealer should count his or her hand and peg it correctly before the pone pegs his or her score, there is no penalty, but the dealer must retract the points, allow the pone to peg his or her score, and then the dealer may peg his or her score.
4. Finally, the dealer exposes the crib, counts it, announces the score, and pegs it. Absent any verbal or other action of disapproval of the count by the pone, dealer shall place the crib and remaining cards face up on pone's side of the board for shuffling and subsequent deal. However, the dealer may correct a score announcement until the pone mixes the dealer's cards with the rest of the deck. At that point, no score correction is allowed.
5. If the dealer examines and counts the crib before counting and pegging his/her hand, all crib points are retracted and the hand is counted and pegged. Then the crib is counted and pegged. There is no penalty for this action. In the event counting the crib out of order results in pegging into the out hole, no false claim of game occurs.

1. The starter card must remain segregated from the hands and crib while they are being counted and scored. If either player places the starter card in his or her hand or crib or mixes it in the pack, judges shall be summoned. The judges shall retrieve the card and place it on top of the pack. The offender is penalized two points. If the judges decide that the players cannot agree on the starter card, then:
   1. The judges shall assist in the reconstruction of the five-card hand or crib based on the players' statements and/or evidence of pegging in order to determine the starter card.
   2. If the evidence is inconclusive, the judges shall direct the nonoffender to blindly remove two cards from the affected hand or crib, look at them, and select either one as the starter card. The other card is returned to the involved hand or crib, and play continues.
   3. If the starter card has been mixed with the pack and cannot be retrieved as in #1 above, a judge shall shuffle the pack, the nonoffender will cut, and a judge will turn the new starter card.
2. After the pone counts his or her hand and before the dealer begins to count his or her hand, the pone may remove the pack, leaving the starter card in the approximate area where the pack was.

1. If a player mixes his or her hand with the crib or pack before it is counted and pegged and before the opponent confirms the count (see rule 9.2), the player forfeits the count of the hand.
2. If the crib is involved and the dealer mixes the crib with the pack, the dealer forfeits the crib count.
3. If the pone mixes the crib with the pack, the pone is penalized two points and the dealer is permitted to retrieve the crib and peg its value. If there is disagreement on the cards, judges must be summoned.
   1. The judges shall assist in the reconstruction of the hands in an attempt to determine which cards were placed in the crib.
   2. The cards that the players recall shall be retrieved. If a full crib cannot be recalled, a judge shall shuffle the remaining pack and from the top add the number of cards required to constitute a full crib.

No aid from an individual or from the use of any material may be used to assist in determining scoring while pegging or counting the hands or crib.

1. Muggins is the only optional rule (see definition in rule 1.6).
2. Officials in charge of tournaments, Grass Roots, or other forms of organized play must announce in their flyers and prior to beginning of play that muggins is in effect.
3. When muggins is in effect, pegging out (reaching the game hole) is mandatory.

Except for the situations listed in rule 10.3, muggins is applied to the underpegging of the full value of any points during the play or scoring of the points in the hand or crib.

1. The omission or underpegging of a penalty.
2. The omission or underpegging of a muggins score.
3. The dealer's failure to peg two points for turning a Jack as a starter card.
4. Points lost by a player by pegging backward.

1. The caller shall state, "Muggins for X points." During the play of the cards, the score(s) not pegged or underpegged shall be identified. Muggins may not be pegged until both players agree. If the opponent does not agree, judges shall be summoned. If the judges determine that the play was not a muggins, the opponent will be awarded the points taken as a penalty. If the true amount of underpegging is determined to be other than the amount originally claimed, the caller is entitled only to the lesser of the claimed or true amounts. In no case shall the amount of points awarded for muggins exceed the actual number of holes that could have been pegged had the scoring been correctly done. The muggins points shall be scored after the judges render a decision.
2. For points missed during the play of the cards, a muggins call must be made:
   1. After the player finishes underpegging the score or, if no score is pegged, after the player forfeits the score (see rule 7.2).
   2. Before the scoring player pegs a subsequent score or the pone's hand is pegged.
3. For points missed in a hand or crib:
   1. The dealer must call muggins after the pone finishes pegging the score or states there is no score and before the pone's hand is mixed with other cards or the total count of the dealer's hand is announced.
   2. The pone must call muggins after the dealer completes pegging the hand (or crib) score or states there is no score and before the pone mixes the hand (or crib) with other cards.
4. The zero-count hand or crib: once a player claims no count in a hand or crib, muggins may be called immediately. After the player's opponent says the word "muggins," the player may not correct his or her count.

1. The opponent of the offending player scores penalty points unless they are specified to be backward penalties, in which case the offender pegs backward the amount of the penalty.
2. The retraction of scores already pegged and correction of scores overpegged (see rules 4.4, 7.3, and 8.4) are not considered penalties; they are corrections. As such, any additional rules relating to incorrect pegging are not applicable.

The incorrect pegging of penalties is subject to the same rules as apply to other scores (see rules 8.3 and 8.4).

Under no condition shall a penalty be inflicted due to an error in calling or pegging a penalty.

1. If either player disagrees with the decision of the first two judges, a third judge may be summoned. The decision rendered by the three judges is final.
2. Any player who willfully refuses to conform to any ruling after having been informed of it by three judges is not permitted to continue playing in the event and must be removed by the tournament director or designee. Any game or match in progress is forfeited, and the opponent is awarded a win by ten spread points (when applicable).

When recording scores on the scorecard, players must use only blue or black ink. Other colored inks are not acceptable for this purpose and must be used only by authorized persons when making corrections to the scorecards. In the game-points column, wins shall be recorded as 2 or 3 (for a skunk), and losses shall be recorded as 0, X, /, or —. Finally, any single-digit point spread must be preceded by a zero on the scorecard.

Do not consult the players to adjudicate scorecard errors. During cross-checking of scorecards, if two scorecards record different results, the discrepancy must be resolved as follows:

1. Disadvantage is always to the apparent qualifier. For example, qualifier A claims a 21-point win; opponent claims a 16-point loss; qualifier A’s card changed to 16-point win.
2. Disadvantage can be to two apparent qualifiers. For example, qualifier B claims a 17-point win; qualifier C claims a 16-point loss; qualifier B’s card changed to 16-point win and qualifier C’s card changed to a 17-point loss.
3. If the point spread is marked on only one card, this number is accepted for both cards and recorded on the blank card.
4. If both cards record a win or if both cards record a loss, with one having points in the plus column and the other having points in the minus column, the one in the plus column gets the win.
5. If both cards record a win or if both cards record a loss, with the spread points in the same column, it is a loss for both players, and the spread points are moved to the negative column (if necessary).
6. If only one card records a win but both cards put the spread points in the same column (whether win or loss), the win stands and the spread points on the incorrect card are changed to the appropriate column.
7. Make sure that game-point and spread-point totals are adjusted, if necessary.
8. "No harm, no foul": if an apparent qualifier’s discrepancy is already to his or her disadvantage, no change is necessary. For example, qualifier D claims a 15-point win; opponent claims a 20-point loss; no change is necessary, and both cards stand as recorded.
9. If scorecard errors result in a change in the fact or position of qualifying, the tournament director informs the affected player, with the relevant scorecards as evidence.

If a qualifier does not appear at the time scheduled to begin the playoffs, the tournament director will allow five minutes before forfeiting the first game to the opponent. Additional forfeitures will be made every fifteen minutes until a match is completed or until a qualifier appears. In any case, nonappearing qualifiers are still entitled to receive any prize money and MRPs that would have been awarded to the losers in that round.

Information about ACC-sanctioned tournament procedures can be obtained from any of the regional tournament commissioners. The ACC requires that the following procedures be adhered to in a sanctioned tournament (unless an exemption is granted):

1. All qualifying scorecards must be checked using a cross-checking system and tallying players' totals.
2. One in four entrants must qualify for playoffs. Any fraction is rounded up to the next whole player (e.g., a tournament with 121, 122, 123, or 124 entrants will have 31 players in the playoffs). Do not round up to the next full bracket.
3. The charts on pages 56–57 display the only approved bracketing for playoffs. Sections with multiple columns are read as if succeeding columns appear under the first column (e.g., in the 256-player bracket, the 5/60 pairing is below the 8/57 pairing; 3/62 is below 4/61; and 7/58 is below 6/59).
4. Playoffs without a full bracket award first-round byes to the highest qualifier(s). To compute the number of byes:
   1. Determine the number of qualifiers (rule 13.2.b).
   2. Determine the size of the next full bracket (a power of 2: that is, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, etc.).
   3. Subtract (1) from (2) to determine the number of byes.
   4. Examples:

      number of entrants	number of qualifiers	next full bracket	number of byes	explanation
      108	27	32	32 - 27 = 5 byes	top 5 qualifiers get byes and 22 qualifiers play in first round
      132	33	64	64 - 33 = 31 byes	top 31 qualifiers get byes and 2 qualifiers play in first round
      60	15	16	16 - 15 = 1 bye	top qualifier gets a bye and 14 qualifiers play in first round

   5. The second round of the playoffs must have a full bracket.

In the event of a situation that is not resolved by these rules, the head judge’s decision shall be final for that tournament (see rule 11.4).

Recommendations for amendments to these rules shall be submitted in writing to the Rules Committee, which will discuss, prepare, and present all relevant proposals to the board of directors for final approval.