[net.games] counting "tricky" cribbage hands, etc.

stimac@tymix.UUCP (Michael Stimac) (04/06/84)

<nyah, nyah, can't eat me>

>  Further tricky hands:

>     Hand        Name                          Value
>    2 2 3 4 x   double run of three           8
>    2 2 3 3 4   double-double run of three    14
>    2 2 2 3 4   triple run of three           18

> All of which points out, cribbage is a game won or lost because
> of double runs.  (A little luck don't hurt none either!)

Someone recently posted this in net.games. Unfortunately, the hands
are so "tricky" that the poster himself got them wrong. 

The hand 2 2 3 3 4 is worth *16* points, as are ALL double-double
runs which do not include 15's or a good jack. The hand 2 2 2 3 4
is worth *15* points, not 18 as claimed; ALL triple runs are worth
15 points ( or more if 15s are involved ).

Eg. 2 2 3 3 4 there are 4 ways to make a run of 3, for 12 points,
plus two pairs at 2 points each for a grand total of 16 points.

A triple run involves 3 runs of 3 each for a total of 9 points, plus
3 of a kind for another 6 points, or a grand total of 15 points.

The best possible cribbage hand is worth 29 points.

What is the best possible combinations of hand and crib, if you are
the dealer?

Good Luck never hurt anyone, but knowing the odds goes a long way.
There is also room for bluffing and second-guessing in the play phase.

Michael (35 years of experience) Stimac