John Chambers - Tip #13

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Third Street consists of holes 61 through 90. The objective for third street is to be at least at hole 70 with your having the three counts to get position on Fourth Street. The further from Fourth Street your opponent is the better your chance to play on if you need to.

Your Deal, You are behind by 8 or More, at the Beginning of Third Street

Good or Excellent Hand: It's your deal. You are at hole 61 and your opponent is at hole 69. In this position you would play on. Your opponent is already in position and will be in better position after this hand. Make the most of an excellent hand and opportunity. If you peg a few holes this time and get an average Crib, it will put you in good position for your next Play and Hand to get you to your Fourth Street position. You can afford to peg because your opponent would need 27 holes in this hand to get to his Fourth Street position.

Poor or Average Hand: It is again your deal. You are at hole 61 while your opponent is at hole 69. You must take the risk and play on. Let's face it, if you don't get the position you want, your opponent definitely will. You must play on and peg as much as possible. Remember, in order for your opponent to get position on Fourth Street, he needs to get 27 holes on this hand.

Opponent's Deal, You are Behind by 8 or More, at the Beginning of Third Street

Good or Excellent Hand: Remember, it's your opponent's deal. You are at hole 61 while your opponent is at hole 69. This hand will put you in good position. Assume it is a twelve hand. You'll be at least at hole 73 after this hand. If your opponent gets below the average points in this Play, Hand and Crib, it will make it tougher for your opponent to get position on Fourth Street. So play off. Your only chance is to let this hand work for you while you work to stall your opponent.

Poor or Average Hand: Okay, so you've only got five or six points in your hand. Don't panic! The worst you'll be after this hand is hole 66 or 67. Not great position for your three counts that will be coming up, but not bad position either. The more you can stall your opponent, the more help it will be for you, and the tougher it will make it for your opponent to get his position on Fourth Street. So play off.

Your Deal, Fairly Even Game at the Beginning of Third Street

Good or Excellent Hand: Assume that you and your opponent are both at hole 63. You are holding a sixteen hand. Both you and your opponent will need 33 holes to get the next position. It's not likely that your opponent will reach that point, so if you need to peg you can. Your sixteen hand will put you at hole 79. With the average pegging (three) and average crib (four), you will be at hole 86. All you need is an average Play and Hand next time. If you don't get that average Hand, you might not get your desired position. Since your opponent needs so many holes to get his Fourth Street position, you can take this opportunity to peg.

Poor or Average Hand: You and your opponent are both at hole 63. You receive six in your hand. With this Hand, an average Play and an average Crib, you should get thirteen points to get to hole 76. You must realize that after this hand, you won't be in position, but your opponent will. Next hand will start your opponent's three counts. So on the average he should start his three counts at hole 73. Your object is to play off and keep your opponent from getting better position than he normally would.

Opponent's Deal, Even Game at the Beginning of Third Street

Good or Excellent Hand: Since both you and your opponent are at hole 63, your opponent must now start his three counts for Fourth Street position. You will be in good position after this hand to start your three counts. Play off. If you can stall your opponent, you will then have the advantage to get Fourth Street position.

Poor or Average Hand: Again, play off. If you are at hole 63 you only need to get seven points between your Play and Hand to get average position (hole 70). With your opponent also at hole 63, he will need above average points. Don't let him get those extra holes by pegging.

Your Deal, Fairly Even Game at the End of Third Street

Good or Excellent Hand: You are both at hole 86. You have the Crib. On the average, after this hand your opponent will be in position on fourth street for the three counts. Let's say you receive a sixteen hand, an average Play (three) and an average Crib (four). This means you should get 23 holes. You will then be at hole 109, twelve from going out. In order to go out on your third count you will need twelve holes, which is two holes above average. This may not seem like much, but your opponent will attempt to minimize your pegging. If he does, he'll have a chance to count out. Play on this hand so you will need less to go out next time.

Poor or Average Hand: You are both at hole 86 again. You have just received a four Hand. This hand will not give you the position you want. However, your opponent will probably be in average position after this hand. Be sure to play off so your opponent doesn't get better than average position.

Opponent's Deal, Even Game at the Beginning of Third Street

Good or Excellent Hand: If you are both at hole 86, it means that you will have excellent position (at least hole 98 with a twelve hand), for your three counts. Your opponent will now be thinking what you would in his position (preceding positional strategy). If he has a good hand also, he may want to play on to give him better position, so play off so you will get to use your three counts.

Poor or Average Hand: You are both at hole 86. You have a five hand and have first count. In order to be in average position you will need to get to hole 96. If you can reach hole 96, you will be in position for your three counts. So play on. This strategy will only backfire if your opponent has a very large hand.

- Republished from Cribbage: A New Concept by permission. Text copyright © 2002 by John Chambers. All rights reserved.

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