Talk of the Town - Quick draw October 16 2002

Your passion for Go Fish died after the fourth grade, and you’re tired of unending games of Solitaire. But what about Cribbage?

Cribbage entices shufflers, dealers and card cutters of all ages and is usually recognized for its distinctive pegged board used for scoring. According to lore, the game originated in the early 1600s but it gained wider recognition in the U.S. in 1980 when the American Cribbage Congress was created. The organization now involves 7,500 members and includes hundreds of local and national tournaments.

It may have a long history, but its games are short.

“Cribbage [games] are relatively quick. It allows for plenty of strategy and there is lots of room for conversation,” explains Dave O’Neil, the co-director of Club #119 in Marietta. “We call it the best two-handed game that there is.”

The basic game of Cribbage is set for two players and a deck of 52 cards. The goal is to be the first player to reach 121 points through card arrangements that are scored between one and 12 points.

Atlanta has three Grass Roots clubs in connection with the American Cribbage Congress. The clubs, that each involve 20-30 playing members, meet weekly in Tucker, Newnan and Marietta.

“Non-players are welcome to come and sit in on a game,” says O’Neil. “We’re always willing to teach someone new.”


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Groups meet weekly as part of the World Cribbage Congress. Contact Dave O’Neil at 404-296-4689 or e-mail L5two@aol.com for more info. 1-888-PEGGING. www.cribbage.org.??