Hey, it’s New Year’s Eve and it’s time for 11-card cribbage! Recall, the American Cribbage Congress (ACC) website has a cribbage variations page in which the unknown author reports there being many cribbage variants, including 11 and 13 card cribbage.
So, yesterday we played 12-card cribbage and we decided to address the 11-card variant today. We intend to tackle the 13-card variant “next year.”
We did OK, although I had a miscount (counted 31 in the play instead of 30 near the end of the game). Again, it took us about 20 minutes to play it.
Scores can be difficult to count so you might want to check on this link for the calculator.
We made up the rules because, of course, there are no rules. This makes any of these games a variation some have named Calvinball Crib. This is because there are no established rules and the name just has a little fun with that name because of the definition of the name Calvinball:
“Activity reminiscent of the imaginary game of Calvinball (see etymology), in not following any 1994- discernible rules, or in which individuals act in a self-servingly inconsistent manner. Also (and in earliest use) as a modifier.”
Did you know there’s a place in Canada that makes a Calvinball Cribbage board? It’ll set you back $140. We can’t tell if there’s a tariff on it.
I copied it for you:
“Calvinball Cribbage is a humorous mashup of the chaotic, rule-free game from Calvin & Hobbes with traditional Cribbage, often involving themed boards or rule modifications, where the core idea is applying Calvinball’s fluid, make-it-up-as-you-go spirit to Cribbage’s scoring and play, adding wild, non-sensical rules like using mallets, changing hand values, or scoring points for silly actions, making each round unique and unpredictable, not a single defined game but a creative approach to Cribbage.
What it is (The Calvinball Aspect):
- No Fixed Rules: Just like original Calvinball, there’s no single set of rules; the players invent them as they go.
- Rule Changes: A key rule is that rules can’t be repeated, and players constantly invent new scoring, actions, or penalties.
- Props & Actions: You might use mallets, balls, trees, or make up actions like “scoring three points for pointing at a cloud” or “losing a turn for looking left”.
How it Applies to Cribbage:
- Themed Boards: You can find or make custom cribbage boards featuring Calvin & Hobbes, adding visual flair.
- Modified Scoring: Instead of just points for pairs and runs, you might add a “Hobbes Bonus” for a specific card or penalize for “too much logic”.
- Strategic Chaos: Players still play cribbage (cards, pegs, crib), but the gameplay is constantly disrupted by invented rules, turning strategic plays into potential jokes or absurd victories.
Example Calvinball Cribbage “Rules”:
- “If you play a 7, you must hop on one foot until your next turn”.
- “The crib gets 5 points if it contains a card with a face on it” (referencing Calvin’s drawings).
- “A ‘skunk’ is achieved by making your opponent laugh out loud”.
In essence, Calvinball Cribbage is about injecting unpredictable fun and silliness into the structured world of cribbage, making it a game of spontaneous creativity rather than strict strategy. “
How do you feel about AI now? You know, I wonder why somebody hasn’t yet come up with a new club: Calvinball Cribbage Congress (CCC). Somebody could make a cool tee shirt for the club.
We wish everyone a Happy New Year in 2026!
Go Retire Psychiatrist 