What is the best cribbage hand?

The best cribbage hand is known as the "perfect 29," which is the highest possible score achievable with a single hand in cribbage. It consists of the following cards:

• A 5-card hand: 5, 5, 5, Jack
• The starter card: 5

This combination results in a total of 29 points, which is the highest possible score in cribbage.

The breakdown of points for the perfect 29 hand is as follows:

• Fifteens: There are eight different ways to make 15 points using the 5s and Jack. Each 5 can be paired with the Jack, making four different pairs for 2 points each (4 x 2 = 8 points). Adding the three 5s together makes another combination of 15 points (15 points in total).

• Pairs: Since there are four 5s and a Jack, there are six different pairs, each worth 2 points (6 x 2 = 12 points).

• Runs: The hand contains three 5s, which can be combined for a run of three (3 points). Additionally, the sequence of 5-5-5-6 also forms another run of four (4 points).

• Flush: Although the suits don't matter in cribbage, having four 5s and the Jack of the same suit (flush) scores 5 points.

• Nobs: The Jack of the same suit as the starter card counts as one point, called "nobs."

Adding the points earned from each category, we have: 8 + 15 + 12 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 1 = 48 points. When combined with the one point received during the pegging phase, the total would be 29 points.

It is important to note that the perfect 29 hand is extremely rare and occurs only once in every 216,580 cribbage hands.