The **Cut and Starter** (also known as the Turn-Up or Cut Card) bridges the discarding phase and the pegging phase in Cribbage. Below are answers to the most common questions regarding the rules, mechanics, and edge cases of the cut.
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1. Essentials & Mechanics
### Who cuts the deck for the starter card?
The **non-dealer** cuts the face-down deck. The **dealer** then turns up the top card of the remaining lower pack and places it face-up on top of the re-assembled deck.
### Is the starter card used during pegging (the Play)?
**No.** The starter card remains resting on top of the pack throughout the pegging phase and is completely ignored. It is only used as a shared 5th card during the **Show** (scoring hands and the crib).
### How many cards must be left when cutting?
Under official American Cribbage Congress (ACC) rules, the non-dealer must leave at least **4 cards in both the cut portion and the bottom pack**.
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2. Scoring & "His Heels" (Nibs)
### What happens if the starter card is a Jack?
If a Jack is turned up, the dealer immediately pegs **2 points** for **"His Heels"** (also called *Nibs*).
### When must the dealer peg "His Heels"?
The 2 points for *His Heels* must be pegged **before the dealer plays their first card** in the pegging phase. If the dealer plays a card without pegging *His Heels*, those 2 points are forfeited.
### Can you win the game on a Jack starter?
**Yes.** If the dealer needs 2 or fewer points to reach 121 and turns up a Jack, the 2 points for *His Heels* are pegged immediately, ending and winning the game before a single card is played.
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3. Special Combinations & Flushes
### What is the difference between "His Heels" and "His Nobs"?
* **His Heels (2 points):** A Jack turned up as the starter card during the cut (awarded only to the dealer immediately).
* **His Nobs (1 point):** Holding a Jack in your hand or crib that matches the suit of the starter card (scored during the Show).
### How do flushes work with the starter card?
* **In Hand:** Holding 4 cards of the same suit in your hand scores **4 points**. If the starter card matches that suit, it scores **5 points**. *(Note: You cannot combine 3 hand cards and the starter to claim a 4-point flush).*
* **In Crib:** All 4 cards in the crib **AND** the starter card must match suit to score a **5-point flush**. There is no 4-point flush in the crib.
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4. Errors & Misplays
| Situation | Correct Rule / Result |
|---|---|
| **Non-dealer turns up the starter card** | The card is returned, the deck is re-shuffled, and a proper cut is performed by the non-dealer. |
| **Multiple cards exposed during cut** | The entire deck must be re-shuffled and re-cut. |
| **Cut card touched or moved during play** | The card must remain face-up on top of the deck until all scoring in the Show is completed. |