Playing guide
These options and rules describe the current JoyPip version. Choose a mode above before starting; rules are also available during play.
Step-by-step examples
Select a step to see what changes. These are partial examples, not full starting positions.
Practice options
- Bot skill
- Beginner · Normal · Expert
- Target score
- Play to 121 points · Play to 61 points
Private room options
- Target score
- Play to 121 points · Play to 61 points
Detailed rules and controls
Pegging
- Bringing the count to exactly 15 scores 2 points, and exactly 31 also scores 2.
- Matching the rank of the card just played: a pair scores 2, three of a kind 6 and four of a kind 12. The matching cards must be played one after another.
- Run: if the last 3 or more cards played are all different ranks and form a sequence (in any order), score 1 point per card. A pair in between breaks the run.
- Go: when neither player can play, whoever played last scores 1 point. Hitting exactly 31 scores only the 2 points for 31, not an extra 1.
- Last card: the final card of the play scores 1 point.
The show
- Each hand and the crib are counted together with the starter.
- Fifteens: each combination of cards totaling 15 scores 2 points. A counts as 1; J, Q and K count as 10.
- Pairs: each pair of cards of the same rank scores 2. Three of a kind counts as 3 pairs for 6 points; four of a kind counts as 6 pairs for 12.
- Runs: 3 or more consecutive ranks; each combination scores 1 point per card. For example, 3-4-4-5 is two 3-card runs, for 6 points. A is always low, so Q-K-A is not a run.
- Flush: 4 cards of one suit in a hand score 4, or 5 if the starter matches too. The crib counts only if all 5 cards share a suit, for 5 points.
- Nobs: a J in hand of the same suit as the starter scores 1 point.
- Counting order: non-dealer's hand → dealer's hand → dealer's crib. The first player to reach the target wins at once, and the rest isn't counted.
Scoreboard
- Each player has two pegs: the front peg marks the current score, and the back peg marks the score before the last points were added.
- Each time you score, the back peg jumps ahead of the front one, so you can always see how many points were last scored.
- The best possible hand scores 29: three 5s and a J, with the starter being the 5 of the J's suit.
Frequently asked questions
When do you say “Go” during play?
You're dealt 5, 5, 6, J, Q, K and must put two in the crib. Keep 5, 5, J, Q and discard the 6 and K: each 5 pairs with the J and the Q for four fifteens, plus a pair of 5s, for 10 points before the starter. When your opponent deals, the crib scores for them, so avoid giving them 5s that could make extra fifteens.
Do I need a download or a linked email?
Play directly in your browser without a download. Linking email is an optional way to recover your account. Before clearing browser data, consider whether you need to keep your account or local records.
Do matches earn or spend coins?
Earn coins by checking in and spend them on cosmetics. Matches never cost or award coins.