Terminology has also followed the game through the years. A wood cribbage board that features continuous tracks to 121 is a clean, one-way track to victory. The shorter board of 61 features two tracks that require players to peg “up and back” on the same track to get to 121. Traditionally played by two players, variations including four and six players – never five! – have been adopted.Ĭribbage boards are designed to allow play to 61 as well as 121. Thus, a game to 61 is acceptable for some, while others will only accept a match challenge to 121. The objective of playing cribbage is to be the first player to obtain the highest number of pegged points on the wood cribbage board. Over time, the rules have remained unchanged, the undeniable sign of a loyal following and a solid competitive objective. Playing cribbage has a long-storied past, whether you believe it was created by the 17 th-century poet Sir John Suckling or even before that, as described by Charles Cotton in 1674. In Great Britain, one- to two million players participate in national leagues, and it is estimated just as many participate in casual play.