Articles by Dan Barlow

Dan Barlow - Tip #16

Endgame pegging quiz

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Get out your cribbage board and cards; it's time for more tension-filled endgame problems. A lot of prestige, money and master points are riding on your decisions, but I'm confident you'll come through, because you have a well-earned reputation for not losing your cool in pressure-packed situations.

Problem 1: Your opponent needs six to go out; you need eighteen. You hold 4-7-7-8. The cut is a 7.

The Play So Far

Opponent	You
K	7 (17)
7 (24-2)	7 (31-8)
6	?

a. Do you play the 4 or the 8?

b. What do you play if opponent needs eight?

c. What do you play if opponent needs seventeen?

Problem 2: Opponent needs five to go out; you need twelve. You hold A-8-9-10. The cut is a J.

The Play So Far

Opponent	You
4	8 (12)
K (22)	9 (31-2)
Q	?

a. Do you play the A or the 10?

b. What do you play if opponent needs seven?

c. What do you play if opponent needs nine?

Solutions

1a. Play the 8. Your only fear is that opponent's last card is a 4.

1b. Play the 4. You mustn't let opponent peg if his or her remaining card is an A. If it's anything else, the game is over no matter what you do.

1c. Play the 8, fearing that opponent's last card is a 5. This is your only fear.

2a. Play the A, fearing opponent's 10.

2b. Play the 10, fearing opponent has a 4.

2c. Play the A, fearing opponent's J.

- Text copyright © 2002 by Dan Barlow. All rights reserved.

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