What Is a Fifteen in Cribbage?
A fifteen is any combination of cards adding up to exactly 15, worth two points in cribbage. It scores in both phases of the game: bringing the running count to exactly 15 during the play pegs two, and every distinct combination totaling 15 in a hand or crib scores two at the show.
How much is each card worth?
Fifteens are built from counting values, and suits never enter into it. An ace counts one, every pip card counts its face value, and the jack, queen, and king each count ten. Any set of cards whose values sum to 15 makes a fifteen, whether that takes two cards or four.
| Card | Counting value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2 through 10 | Face value |
| Jack, queen, king | 10 |
How do fifteens score during the play?
During the play, both players lay cards alternately to a running count, and whoever brings that count to exactly 15 pegs two points on the spot. The values above put a ceiling on this: no card counts more than ten, so a lead of 4 or lower can never be answered for fifteen. A led 5, though, gives any ten-value card an immediate two.
How do fifteens count at the show?
At the show, each hand is counted with the starter as a fifth card, and every distinct combination of cards totaling 15 scores two points. Fifteens stack with pairs and runs rather than replacing them, which is why counts are commonly announced as "fifteen two, fifteen four" before the rest of the hand is added on.
Can one card belong to more than one fifteen?
Yes, and this is where most counting mistakes happen. Combinations are distinct as long as they differ by at least one card; the counting fifteens rules page works the pair and triple cases in full. Take the hand 5♠ 10♦ J♥ Q♣ with the K♦ as starter:
| Combination | Cards | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Fifteen | 5♠ + 10♦ | 2 |
| Fifteen | 5♠ + J♥ | 2 |
| Fifteen | 5♠ + Q♣ | 2 |
| Fifteen | 5♠ + K♦ | 2 |
| Total | 8 |
The same 5 appears in all four fifteens, and each one counts because the ten-value partner changes every time. Add the run of 10♦ J♥ Q♣ K♦ for four more and the whole hand comes to 12. Overlooked fifteens are exactly the points the optional muggins rule lets an opponent claim for themselves.
What is the most fifteens one hand can hold?
The showpiece is the twenty-nine hand: three 5s and a jack, with the fourth 5 in the jack's suit turned as the starter. It holds eight fifteens, four made of jack plus a 5 and four made of three 5s, for 16 of its 29 points. The American Cribbage Congress puts the odds of being dealt it at 216,580 to 1.
By the Nobs Cribbage team Last reviewed 2026-08-01