Crib…no place for sleeping

Cribbage?  You know, it’s that card game that uses the funny looking board with all the little holes in it.  Your parents and grandparents used to play it.  Well, it seems that it’s still being played and in a big way.

The American Cribbage Congress (ACC) is a national organization comprised of over 350 local clubs (two in Texas) and over 5000 members in the United States and Canada.  Established in 1980, it now sponsors 150 tournaments a year with the largest drawing over 1000 players.

The local clubs – called Grass Roots Clubs – play once a week and report the scores to the ACC which tabulates them and keeps statistics available on their two web sites – www.cribbage.org and www.accgrassroots.org.

The Lone Star Club 106 is Dallas-based.  The club averages 20 to 30 players every week and even though there are 68 players (up 50 new players since April 2006) we are always looking for new members.

Clubs usually have a mix of experienced players and people still learning cribbage. The more experienced players always like to help teach the game and are willing to explain more than just basics.

The game of Cribbage can trace its roots back to 17th century England where the game was invented by Sir John Suckling (1609-1640).  It is a fast-paced card game where points are scored for pairs, trips, four of a kind, straights, flushes and any combination of cards that add up to 15.

People who are interested in the game can visit The Wild Turkey (2470 Walnut Hill Ln, Dallas, TX 75229) where the Lone Star Club 106 plays every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. to watch and ask questions.  If you are interested in joining the club because you know how to play – come out an hour early and go over things with the club director, Brock Lee.  You can also call Brock at 972-754-5261 or email him at [email protected].

And that funny board with all the little holes?  Since the game scores points rapidly, moving pegs from hole to hole to keep track of the score is easier than trying to constantly write them down.

There will be an 18 game National Cribbage Tournament on March 20 at The Wild Turkey in Dallas.  Sign in is from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. and the tournament starts at 10:00 a.m.  Learn more about Lone Star Club 106 here: http://cribbage.meetup.com/127/