Double and Triple Runs in Cribbage: Maximize These Powerful Hands

Master double runs, triple runs, and quadruple runs in cribbage. Learn to recognize, count, and maximize these high-scoring hand patterns.

· 5 min read
By Garrett Pegg · Reviewed against ACC standards

Double and Triple Runs in Cribbage

Double runs are cribbage gold. They’re easy to miss when counting and even easier to undervalue when discarding. Let’s master these powerful patterns.

The Double Run Family

Double Run of 3 (8 points)

Pattern: Three consecutive ranks with one pair

Example: 4-5-5-6

  • Run 1: 4-5-6 = 3 points
  • Run 2: 4-5-6 = 3 points
  • Pair: 5-5 = 2 points
  • Total: 8 points

The pair “splits” into two runs.

Other examples:

Hand Runs Pair Total
3-4-4-5 3+3 2 8
7-8-8-9 3+3 2 8
10-J-J-Q 3+3 2 8
A-2-2-3 3+3 2 8

Double Run of 4 (10 points)

Pattern: Four consecutive ranks with one pair

Example: 4-5-5-6-7

  • Run 1: 4-5-6-7 = 4 points
  • Run 2: 4-5-6-7 = 4 points
  • Pair: 5-5 = 2 points
  • Total: 10 points

This requires all 5 cards (hand + starter).

Common formations:

Hand + Cut Score
3-4-4-5 + 6 10
6-7-8-8 + 5 10
9-10-10-J + Q 10

Triple Run (15 points)

Pattern: Three consecutive ranks with three-of-a-kind

Example: 4-4-4-5-6

  • Run 1: 4-5-6 = 3 points
  • Run 2: 4-5-6 = 3 points
  • Run 3: 4-5-6 = 3 points
  • Three of a kind: 4-4-4 = 6 points
  • Total: 15 points

The trips create three separate runs!

Other examples:

Hand + Cut Trips Score
5-5-5-6 + 7 Three 5s 15
8-9-9-9 + 10 Three 9s 15
J-Q-Q-Q + K Three Qs 15

Quadruple Run (16 points)

Pattern: Three consecutive ranks with TWO pairs

Example: 4-5-5-6-6

  • Run 1: 4-5-6 = 3 points (using first 5 and first 6)
  • Run 2: 4-5-6 = 3 points (using first 5 and second 6)
  • Run 3: 4-5-6 = 3 points (using second 5 and first 6)
  • Run 4: 4-5-6 = 3 points (using second 5 and second 6)
  • Pair 1: 5-5 = 2 points
  • Pair 2: 6-6 = 2 points
  • Total: 16 points

Four runs from two pairs!

Other examples:

Hand + Cut Score Notes
3-3-4-4-5 16 Requires cut to complete
7-8-8-9-9 16 Two middle pairs
9-10-10-J-J 16 High cards

Counting Double Runs Correctly

Method 1: Count Runs First

  1. Identify the base run (consecutive ranks)
  2. Count how many times each rank appears
  3. Multiply runs by repetitions
  4. Add pairs/trips at the end

Example: 5-6-6-7-8

  • Base run: 5-6-7-8 (4 cards)
  • 6 appears twice = two 4-card runs
  • 4 + 4 = 8 for runs
  • 6-6 = 2 for pair
  • Total: 10 (double run of 4)

Method 2: The Formula

Pattern Formula Result
Double run of 3 3×2 + 2 8
Double run of 4 4×2 + 2 10
Triple run 3×3 + 6 15
Quadruple run 3×4 + 4 16

Adding Fifteens

Double runs often include fifteens, creating high-scoring hands.

Example: 4-5-6-6 with 5 starter

Run scoring:

  • Double run of 4: 4-5-6-6 + 5 = 10 points

Wait, that’s wrong! Let’s recount:

  • 4-5-5-6-6 = quadruple run of 3
  • Four runs of 3: 12 points
  • Two pairs (5-5, 6-6): 4 points
  • Run total: 16 points

Fifteens:

  • 4+5+6 = 15 (×4 ways) = 8 points
  • 5+4+6 combinations… actually, let’s count:
    • 4+5+6 (first 5, first 6) = 15
    • 4+5+6 (first 5, second 6) = 15
    • 4+5+6 (second 5, first 6) = 15
    • 4+5+6 (second 5, second 6) = 15
  • 4 fifteens = 8 points

Total: 16 + 8 = 24 points

When to Keep Double Runs

Almost Always

Double runs in your dealt 6 should almost always be kept:

  • 8+ guaranteed points
  • Excellent cut potential (adjacent cards complete runs)
  • Starter can turn double into triple

Example Decision

Hand: 3-4-4-5-9-K (Dealer)

Keep Base Score Cut Potential
3-4-4-5 8 A, 2, 3, 5, 6 improve it
4-4-5-9 2 Very limited
4-5-9-K 4 Limited

Decision: Keep 3-4-4-5 for the double run. Throw 9-K to your crib.

When to Break a Double Run

Rarely! But consider it when:

  1. Throwing pair to opponent’s crib: 4-4 to opponent is 2 points guaranteed
  2. Alternative hand is exceptional: 5-5-5-J vs weak double run
  3. Board position demands specific total: Endgame calculation

Double Run Starter Potential

What Improves 4-5-5-6 (8 points)?

Cut Result Score
3 Double run of 4 10
7 Double run of 4 10
4 Triple run 15
6 Triple run 15
5 24-point monster 24+

That’s 16 cards (30%+) that significantly improve the hand!

Double Runs in the Crib

To Your Crib

Throwing half a potential double run (like 4-5 when keeping 4-5-6-X) can create crib magic:

  • If opponent also throws adjacent cards
  • If opponent throws a pair of connected cards

From Opponent’s Crib

Double runs in opponent’s crib are rare but devastating. They require:

  • You threw connected/paired cards
  • Opponent did too
  • Stars aligned

Minimize risk: Don’t throw connected pairs (like 5-6) to opponent’s crib.

Practice Counting

Quick Quiz

Count these hands:

  1. 3-4-5-5-6
  2. 7-7-8-8-9
  3. A-2-2-2-3
  4. 9-10-J-J-Q

Answers

  1. 3-4-5-5-6 = Double run of 4: 10 pts + fifteens (4+5+6 × 2) = 10 + 4 = 14 points
  2. 7-7-8-8-9 = Quadruple run: 16 pts + fifteens (7+8 × 4) = 16 + 8 = 24 points
  3. A-2-2-2-3 = Triple run: 15 pts + no fifteens = 15 points
  4. 9-10-J-J-Q = Double run of 4: 10 pts + no fifteens = 10 points

Summary

Pattern Base Points Identification
Double run of 3 8 3 consecutive + 1 pair
Double run of 4 10 4 consecutive + 1 pair
Triple run 15 3 consecutive + trips
Quadruple run 16 3 consecutive + 2 pairs

Double runs are some of cribbage’s best hands. Learn to spot them, keep them, and count them accurately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a double run in cribbage?
A double run occurs when you have a run of consecutive cards PLUS a pair within that run. For example, 3-4-4-5 contains two runs (3-4-5 and 3-4-5) plus the pair of 4s, scoring 8 points total (3+3+2).
How do you count a double run of 4?
A double run of 4 (like 3-4-4-5-6) scores 10 points: two runs of 4 (4+4=8) plus the pair (2). Count each run separately, then add the pair.
What is a triple run worth?
A triple run (like 4-4-4-5-6) scores 15 points: three runs of 3 (3+3+3=9) plus three-of-a-kind (6). The three identical cards create three separate runs with the same connectors.
What is the highest run-based hand?
A quadruple run scores 16 points: 4-5-5-6-6 gives you four runs of 3 (12 points) plus two pairs (4 points). Add fifteens if present for even higher totals.
Should I break a potential double run when discarding?
Usually no. Double runs average 8+ points and have excellent starter improvement potential. Only break them for exceptional alternatives or if throwing the pair to opponent’s crib is too costly.

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