Five Hand Cribbage
For a challenge, get four other people, a two-track cribbage board and a three-track cribbage board, and play five hand Cribbage. Imagine cutting for a deal, dealing five cards to everyone but yourself. You only get four and you have to watch them all decide what to put in your crib. You have no control at all of your own crib in this game.I will use the same names for the dealer and the two players closest to the dealer as we did in Cutthroat. We start with five players cutting the deck to see who deals first. Low card wins as always. Play will start to the Dealer's left and the deal will move that way as well. Again with ACC people playing there will be a cut before the deal made by the RightND, non-ACC people will probably skip this cut. The Dealer will then deal everyone but the Dealer five cards. The Dealer gets four cards. Everyone with five cards discards one card to the crib and then the LeftND (the RightND if playing non-ACC style) cuts for the starter card. The LeftND then plays the first card leading to the next player to the left. Players score as usual with points pegged for pairs, runs, 15's and 31's, and "GO's" and "Last Cards". The LeftND counts their hand first then moving to the left until the Dealer counts their hand and the crib. The LeftND becomes the Dealer and the next round begins. The winner is the first person to score 121 points.
This subject reminds me of when I learned how to juggle, it turns out that odd numbers of balls are easier to juggle then even. Nevertheless, it is still possible. In cribbage the odd numbers of players are harder to juggle but it is possible.
Six Hand Cribbage
I think that six hand cribbage has the most possibilities for different ways to play. Three ways to play that I can think of are, two teams of three (Triples??), three teams of two (Triple Doubles??), or six singles ( I can't imagine the ruckus this version would cause). There also are not many cards left in the deck after the deal to cut a starter from in these games. Play these versions at your own peril. The author is not responsible for injuries or family arguments resulting from playing these versions.
Triples
Let's begin with the 2-team version and again to keep things simple let's identify the players as Team ACE and Team BDF. Partners in Triples Cribbage sit alternately in a circle. Assuming after the cut for deal, Player A (of Team ACE) has the low card and will start as the dealer, then (ACC Style) Player F cuts the deck for the deal. Player A deals five cards to players B, C, D, and E, and they each discard one card to the crib, Player F and the Dealer (Player A) will only get four cards and do not discard to the crib. Player B then cuts the deck for the Starter Card. Non-ACC rules generally would have Player F cutting for the Starter Card and no cut before the deal.I'm starting to get a headache, anyone else?
Ok, now play will start with Player B leading to C, and then D, and so on . . . Players score as in two handed cribbage with points pegged for pairs, runs, 15's and 31's, and "GO's" and "Last Cards". If a player says "GO" there are no restrictions to prevent a player from pegging points off their Teammate's last card played. Players count their hands starting with Player B, then C, then D, then E, then F, then A, and then the crib. Player B then becomes the dealer for the next hand. The winner is the first team to score 121 points.
Triple Doubles
This can be played on a 3-track board. In fact, you play exactly like Triples, only the players are partnered into three teams, Team AD, Team BE, and Team CF.
Six singles
If you dare, you will need two 3-track boards or a 6-track board (which is something I have never seen, must be time to start designing one). You also play this version exactly like Triples except there are no teams. All I can say is good luck and remember, it is just a game!Please feel free to email me with any questions you might have. I do enjoy corresponding with all cribbage enthusiasts.