Cribbage: not just a game, a bonding experience

Fans say it's the greatest game ever invented. Dating back to the 17th century, cribbage (or just crib) is more than a card game; it’s a bonding experience complete with insider jargon and sometimes even local rules.

A great game for all ages, parents can use crib as a fun way to teach their kids math skills while older adults say it helps keep them sharp. It's a game that involves strategic thinking and problem solving, counting and calculating, and gives your memory a good workout as you try to remember which cards have been played and for how many points.

Dive into our local cribbage craze

All over the English-speaking world—including Morinville and Sturgeon County—cribbage is a popular game. Watch the upcoming events calendar as tournaments are posted quite regularly PLUS there are upcoming 'learn to play' and 'paint your own cribbage' board classes!

Discover the basics of cribbage

Obviously, gaining an understanding of cribbage basics is the first step to playing and enjoying the game. Typically, cribbage involves 2 or 3 players, a standard deck of playing cards, and a special pegboard for scoring. To win, be the first player (or team, sometimes four players play in two teams) to score 121 points.

Youtube videos can be a great way to get the basics down, but to really get the hang of it, you're going to have to play. Dropping in to a group or signing up for a tournament can be intimidating, as an absolute newbie, even if the organizers say 'no experience required' (like, do they really, really mean that)?

But if you live in or near Morinville, you're in luck:

Upcoming 'Learn to Play Cribbage' class

For the best of both worlds, you can sign up for a Learn to Play Cribbage class on April 30 at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre. If you want to be really cool and pack your own custom crib board around, you can sign up to Paint Your Own Cribbage Board the week before.

Next steps? Play, play, play until the rules, points, etc. are second nature

Currently there are monthly crib tournaments at the Morinville Legion and Namao Community Hall, and weekly games at the Rendez Vous Centre (for ages 50+). Keep your eye on the events calendar and daily drop-ins chart: you never know when a new game or tournament will show up!