# How the Cut and Starter Works in Cribbage: Step-by-Step Guide
The cut and starter are important parts of setting up a game of Cribbage. Before players begin counting points during the play phase, they must determine the dealer and reveal a starter card. These steps may seem simple, but they affect the order of play and several scoring opportunities.
In standard Cribbage, players cut the deck to help decide who deals first. After the hands are dealt, the non-dealer cuts the remaining deck, and the dealer reveals the starter card. This card becomes part of the scoring process for both players and the dealer's crib.
This guide explains how the cut and starter work in Cribbage, step by step, with examples and common mistakes.
1. What Is the Cut in Cribbage?
The cut is the process of dividing the shuffled deck into two parts before revealing a card. It is used at the beginning of a game to help determine who becomes the first dealer.
In a standard two-player game, each player cuts the deck. The player who reveals the lower-ranking card generally becomes the dealer.
The cut is not the same as dealing. It is a separate step used to establish the starting order.
### Why Is the Cut Important?
The cut serves two main purposes:
- It helps determine the first dealer.
- It provides a random way to decide who deals first.
The dealer and non-dealer have different responsibilities during the hand. For example, the dealer manages the crib, while the non-dealer usually cuts the deck before the starter is revealed.
2. How to Determine the First Dealer
Follow these steps to decide who deals first in a standard two-player Cribbage game.
### Step 1: Shuffle the Deck
Use a standard 52-card deck without jokers. Shuffle thoroughly so that the cards are in a random order.
### Step 2: Let Each Player Cut
Each player takes a portion of the deck and reveals the bottom card of the portion they lifted, following the agreed cutting method.
### Step 3: Compare the Cards
The player who reveals the lower-ranking card generally becomes the first dealer.
For this comparison, the usual ranking from lowest to highest is:
A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K.
### Step 4: Resolve a Tie
If both players reveal cards of the same rank, they should cut again until a lower card is revealed by one player.
Some groups use slightly different procedures, so agree on the cutting method before starting.
3. What Is the Starter Card in Cribbage?
The starter card, sometimes called the cut card, is the card revealed after the players have received their hands and the crib has been set aside.
In a standard two-player game:
1. The dealer shuffles the deck.
2. The non-dealer cuts the deck.
3. The dealer reveals the top card of the remaining deck.
4. This revealed card becomes the starter.
The starter is placed face up and remains separate from the players' hands.
It is important because it can contribute to scoring during the show phase.
4. How the Cut and Starter Work Step by Step
Here is the usual sequence for a two-player Cribbage hand.
### Step 1: Choose the Dealer
At the beginning of the game, both players cut the deck. The player with the lower card becomes the dealer.
### Step 2: Shuffle the Cards
The dealer shuffles the full deck before dealing.
### Step 3: Deal the Hands
In standard two-player Cribbage, each player receives six cards.
The dealer normally deals one card at a time, alternating between the two players.
### Step 4: Select Cards for the Crib
Each player chooses two cards from their six-card hand and places them face down into the crib.
The crib belongs to the dealer and is counted later as an additional scoring hand.
### Step 5: The Non-Dealer Cuts the Deck
The non-dealer cuts the remaining deck. This is usually done after the hands have been dealt and the crib has been formed.
### Step 6: Reveal the Starter
The dealer turns over the top card from the remaining deck.
This card becomes the starter and is used when scoring the players' hands and the crib.
### Step 7: Check for a Starter Jack
If the starter is a Jack, the dealer immediately scores two points. This is called "His Heels" or "Two for His Heels."
The points are scored before the pegging phase begins.
### Step 8: Begin the Play Phase
After the starter has been revealed and any immediate points have been awarded, players begin the pegging phase.
The non-dealer plays first.
5. How the Starter Card Affects Scoring
The starter does not normally count as one of the cards played during pegging. Instead, it is used later when players count their hands.
Each player's hand is scored using their four retained cards plus the starter.
The dealer also scores the crib using its four cards plus the same starter.
For example, imagine the starter is 5♥. A player's four cards are:
- 5♠
- 5♦
- 6♣
- 7♣
The starter creates a five-card scoring hand:
5♠, 5♦, 6♣, 7♣, 5♥.
This hand contains three fives, which score six points for a three-of-a-kind. Other combinations may also score, depending on the cards.
The same starter card is also used when counting the dealer's crib.
6. What Happens If the Starter Is a Jack?
A Jack starter creates an immediate scoring opportunity for the dealer.
This rule is commonly known as "His Heels."
For example:
- The dealer reveals J♠.
- The dealer immediately receives two points.
- The dealer moves their peg forward by two spaces.
- The game continues with the normal pegging phase.
The non-dealer does not receive these two points.
Do not confuse "His Heels" with "His Nobs." His Nobs is a separate scoring rule involving a Jack in a player's hand that matches the starter's suit.
7. What Is the Difference Between the Cut and the Starter?
Although these steps are connected, they serve different purposes.
| Feature | Cut | Starter |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Determine the first dealer or divide the deck | Provide an extra card for scoring |
| When used | Before dealing or after dealing, depending on the procedure | After dealing and crib selection |
| Who performs it | Players at the start; non-dealer during a hand | Dealer reveals the card |
| Scoring effect | Usually no direct hand points | Can create scoring combinations |
| Special rule | Lower card may determine first dealer | A Jack gives dealer two points |
Understanding this difference helps beginners follow the correct order during a Cribbage hand.
8. Common Cut and Starter Mistakes
Beginners sometimes make mistakes during the setup process.
### Mistake 1: Revealing the Starter Too Early
The starter should not normally be revealed before the hands have been dealt and the crib has been formed.
**How to avoid it:** Follow the correct order: deal, select crib cards, cut, then reveal the starter.
### Mistake 2: Forgetting the Two Points for a Jack
A Jack starter gives the dealer two immediate points.
**How to avoid it:** Check the starter carefully before beginning pegging.
### Mistake 3: Confusing the Starter with a Player's Hand Card
The starter is a shared card used during scoring. It is not added permanently to either player's hand.
**How to avoid it:** Keep the starter face up and separate from the hands.
### Mistake 4: Counting the Starter During Pegging
The starter contributes to the later hand-counting phase, not the normal sequence of cards played during pegging.
**How to avoid it:** Use it for show scoring and remember the separate pegging rules.
### Mistake 5: Forgetting That the Dealer Owns the Crib
Both players contribute two cards to the crib, but only the dealer scores it.
**How to avoid it:** Keep the crib separate and count it after the players' hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
### 1. Who Cuts First in Cribbage?
At the beginning of a standard two-player game, both players cut the deck to determine the first dealer. During a hand, the non-dealer usually cuts the remaining deck before the starter is revealed.
### 2. Who Reveals the Starter Card?
The dealer reveals the starter card after the non-dealer cuts the remaining deck.
### 3. What Happens If the Starter Is a Jack?
The dealer immediately scores two points. This scoring rule is called "His Heels."
### 4. Does the Starter Count as Part of Your Hand?
Yes, during the show phase. Each player combines the starter with their four retained cards when counting their hand.
### 5. Does the Starter Count Toward the Crib?
Yes. The same starter is included when the dealer counts the four cards in the crib.
### 6. Can the Starter Be Used During Pegging?
No. The starter is used for scoring hands and the crib, not as a card played during the pegging phase.
### 7. What Is the Difference Between His Heels and His Nobs?
His Heels gives the dealer two points when the starter is a Jack. His Nobs gives a player one point for holding a Jack that matches the starter's suit.
Conclusion
The cut and starter are essential parts of setting up a Cribbage hand. The initial cut determines who deals first, while the later cut allows the non-dealer to divide the remaining deck before the starter is revealed.
The starter then becomes part of the scoring process for both players and the dealer's crib. If it is a Jack, the dealer immediately receives two points for His Heels.
Once you understand the order of dealing, crib selection, cutting, and revealing the starter, it becomes much easier to follow a standard game of Cribbage.