# Common Two-Player Setup Mistakes in Cribbage and How to Avoid Them
Two-player cribbage is the most popular way to play this classic card game, but new players often mess up the setup before the hand even begins. Small errors in dealing, discarding to the crib, and cutting the deck can throw off scoring and turn the whole game unfair. Below are the most frequent setup mistakes, plus simple fixes to follow the standard rules.
1. Dealing the Wrong Number of Cards
### Mistake
Many beginners deal 5 cards to each player, the way you would for three-player cribbage. For two-player games, this is incorrect.
### Correct rule
Each player gets **6 cards** from a standard 52-card deck.
### How to avoid
Count slowly as you deal, one card at a time. After dealing, confirm both players hold exactly six cards before moving on.
2. Discarding the Wrong Count to the Crib
### Mistake
Players throw 1 card, or 3 cards, into the crib. Some new players also forget that both players must discard.
### Correct rule
Each player discards **2 cards** into the crib. This makes the crib a total of 4 cards.
### How to avoid
After you receive your six cards, pick exactly two to set aside for the crib. Double-check: your hand should now have 4 cards left, and the crib has 4 total.
3. Skipping the Cut for the Starter Card
### Mistake
After discarding to the crib, the dealer just flips the top stock card directly without letting the non-dealer cut.
### Correct rule
The non-dealer cuts the remaining deck, then the dealer reveals the top card of the lower section — this is the starter card. If the starter is a Jack, the dealer scores 2 points immediately (“his heels”).
### How to avoid
Make cutting a habit. Always hand the deck to the non-dealer to cut before revealing the starter card.
4. Mixing the Crib with the Main Hand Before Play Finishes
### Mistake
Players lay the crib cards out with their own hand cards before the pegging (play) phase is finished.
### Correct rule
The crib stays hidden until after all pegging for that hand is done. Only then do players score their own hands, followed by the crib (the crib belongs to the dealer).
### How to avoid
Place the crib face-down in a separate pile. Do not touch it until both players have played all their cards and finished pegging.
5. Misunderstanding Who Owns the Crib
### Mistake
New players think the crib belongs to the person who discarded the cards, or that both players score the crib.
### Correct rule
The crib always belongs to the dealer. The dealer gets to score the crib after both hands are scored. The non-dealer scores their hand first, then the dealer scores their hand, then the dealer scores the crib.
### How to avoid
Remember this order: Non-dealer hand → Dealer hand → Dealer crib.
6. Forgetting to Shuffle Properly Between Hands
### Mistake
After a hand ends, players just gather the cards and re-deal without shuffling. Patterns repeat, and the game becomes unbalanced.
### Correct rule
Collect all cards, shuffle thoroughly, then the next player becomes dealer for the new hand.
### How to avoid
Make a clear end-of-hand routine: collect cards, shuffle, deal new six-card hands. Swap dealers each round.
7. Confusing the Winning Target
### Mistake
Some beginners start playing to 61 points, or 181 points, without realising the standard two-player target.
### Correct rule
Standard two-player cribbage is played to **121 points**.
### How to avoid
Set your cribbage board markers starting at 0, and play until someone hits or passes 121.
Quick Beginner Setup Checklist
✅ 6 cards dealt to each player
✅ Each player discards exactly 2 cards to the crib (crib = 4 cards total)
✅ Non-dealer cuts the deck before revealing the starter card
✅ Crib stays hidden during pegging
✅ Crib belongs to the dealer, scored last
✅ Swap dealers after each hand
✅ Game target: 121 points
Common Quick Cheat Sheet
| Mistake | Fix |
| ---- | ---- |
| Dealing 5 cards | Deal 6 cards each for two-player |
| Discarding 1 or 3 cards | Discard exactly 2 cards per player |
| Revealing starter without a cut | Let non-dealer cut first |
| Scoring crib early | Score crib after pegging and both hands |
| Wrong crib owner | Crib is dealer’s |