What is skunked in cribbage?

In cribbage, the term "skunked" refers to when one player wins the game by a score of at least 121 points while their opponent has not yet reached 91 points. This means that the losing player has been unable to score enough points to even enter the "pegging" stage of the game.

Being "skunked" is considered quite embarrassing for the losing player as it signifies a substantial skill or point differential between the two players. It is often seen as a display of dominance by the winning player.

To avoid being skunked, players need to strategically manage their pegging, hand, and crib scores throughout the game to ensure they reach at least 91 points before their opponent reaches 121 points. Additionally, players should aim to earn "go" points by forcing their opponent to play cards that allow them to reach 31, which prevents their opponent from scoring points in the pegging stage.

Overall, being skunked is an undesirable outcome in cribbage, and players should strive to prevent it from happening by carefully managing their scores throughout the game.