Cribbage is one of Britain's oldest card games — played in pubs, clubs, and kitchens for over 400 years. And unlike most card games, it requires a board. Not just any board, but one that suits the way you play, the people you play with, and the space it will occupy when not in use.
A brief history of cribbage
Cribbage was invented in the early 17th century by the English poet Sir John Suckling, adapted from an earlier game called Noddy. It spread rapidly through Britain, becoming a staple of naval life, pub culture, and family evenings. The board — used to track scores with pegs — became as iconic as the game itself.
What to look for in a cribbage board
The best cribbage boards share a few qualities: clear hole spacing, stable construction, and a size that suits your table. Beyond that, the choice comes down to how seriously you play and what you value aesthetically.
Size: A standard board suits casual home play. A competition-size board offers more generous spacing and is easier to read at a glance — ideal if you play regularly or with older players. Our competition size cribbage board is built to tournament proportions.
Material: Wood is the traditional choice and ages beautifully. Our mahogany cribbage board has the weight and warmth of a proper heirloom piece. For something a little special our antique rifle-butt cribbage board.
Finish: For a gift or a special occasion, we have a selection on antique cribbage boards which can be found on our antique games page here.
Pub and club play: If you're buying for a pub, club, or regular group, we have a large selection of cribbage boards for all. View our cribbage board collection here.
Don't forget the pegs
A board is only as good as its pegs. Losing a peg mid-game is a frustration every cribbage player knows. Browse our Cribbage Pegs collection for quality replacements and spares.
We also have a selection of playing cards, view our playing cards collection here.
The full range
View all boards in our Cribbage Boards collection — from entry-level to heirloom quality.