Cribbage
Cribbage is a game which is scarcely, if ever, seen at online casinos, but back in the day – before the internet was even a thing – it was very popular. Before we had satellite TV and video games and internet to entertain, distract and pacify us, people had to entertain themselves. And so, on certain evenings, couples and friends would look out the crib board and deal the cards. That’s one of the things that makes cribbage so unusual compared to other card-based games: it’s got its own unique board, and it’s one that looks quite distinctive.
Cribbage by 1x2 Gaming doesn’t exactly retain the traditional look of those old crib boards, which required you to stick pegs into them, but it still follows the same rules. Going by the design of this online casino game, including its interface, you’d think that Cribbage had been designed with a mobile audience in mind. It’s a game which doesn’t load in the Chrome browser however and thus must be built using Flash. If that’s the case, this game unfortunately isn’t mobile-compatible.
How’s Your Crib?
Cribbage loads to show a clean and minimalist board, with a plain purple background that allows you to focus on the game itself and nothing more. The playing controls at the top for adjusting audio and other options are neat, and so are the main controls that sit in the centre of the screen. Click on Settings and, with a smooth animation, a window will appear in which you can adjust the game volume and set your table colour. There are plus and minus arrows, although these don’t allow you to fine-tune the colour; they simply let you cycle through various predefined colours.
Sure, you can just click on chips and bet buttons and muddle your way through and even win in the process, but it makes far more sense to try and develop some kind of working knowledge. Not only will this maximise your chances of winning, but it will stand you in good stead should you ever find yourself playing a real life game of cribbage with a few friends.
Show Your Cards
Cribbage by 1x2 Gaming has a theoretical RTP of 97.2%. Higher than you’d normally get from a video slot for example but less than you might get from a poker game. To play, you first need to set your bet by placing the casino chips on the table. There’s also a trash can icon in the corner of each chip – click on this if you want to remove a chip you’ve already placed. 1x2 Gaming haven’t taken any liberties with the rules of the game, so if you are familiar with crib, there should be no surprises here. A 52-card deck is used and it’s reshuffled for each game hand.
In terms of values, the number cards are worth the values displayed on them while the face cards are each worth 10 and ace is worth 1. The aim of the game with cribbage, just as is with most online casino games, is to beat the dealer. You do this by scoring more points than them. Win a game of cribbage and you’ll be paid out on your stake at 1:1 so will effectively double up. In the event of you drawing with the dealer, the game will be classified as a tie – or a push as it’s known in cribbage – and your stake will be returned. The way the game works is that there’s 1 card in the crib that you and the dealer can use to make combinations, with the rest coming from the cards that are dealt to you. Just like poker, there are various winning hands you can form such as a flush, pairs and one known as For His Heels.
Cribbage Summary
Destined to go down as one of the games that time forgot, unless it experiences a hipster-driven resurgence at least, cribbage is a game that is surprisingly enjoyable. In 1x2 Gaming’s Cribbage, they’ve kept things simple and have come up with an entertaining game that’s cleanly designed and well explained. Despite the capable playing guide, it will still take most gamblers a while to get a feel for how it all works.
This still has to be preferable, however, to sticking with simpler but less engaging games where the learning curve might be non-existent but there’s little to hold your interest. Take the time to master Cribbage and you’ll be handsomely rewarded in newfound knowledge and possibly in newly acquired coins.
