Cribbage Pro

This app is far and away the best cribbage app there is. The app is one of the only ones to use a legitimate random number generator. I did a deep dive into the software behind it and its definitely more random than human shuffling. The computer play levels are based on strategy in the software, not on giving the computer better cards. You can go into settings and change the displays to suit your preference. The online multiplayer options are phenomenal. They allow you to create games with different time limits, add or remove chat options if you don’t want to talk to people etc. You can also add friends if you want to play relatives. The online multi-player competitive option is extremely challenging. The seasons are 60 days and the top 50 players are posted on the website and in the app at the end. The developers are constantly improving the app and adding options to help your play. You can look back on your hands and see how the computer grades them so you can learn from your mistakes. You can also look back at your pegging to see where you gave up points. Hopefully they add in weekend tournaments, that would be a lot of fun. Also if they were able to come to an agreement with the American Cribbage Congress to allow online rating points for the tournaments, I would never play anywhere else. I paid the few bucks extra for no ads, but the few they do have on the free version are easy to put up with and not overwhelming like some apps. Great app and talented developers. Hopefully they continue to stay committed to their community. Worth the download.

I primarily play multiplayer. The game isn’t rigged in the sense that when I lose against a better player, I’m throwing a temper tantrum. But rather, it deals excessively good hands to either me or my opponent. In fact, at this point, I’m pretty sure how the game will play out within the first few hands. Wins can feel cheap and losses totally out of your control. I’ve played a lot of real life cribbage as well, and the disparity in points is glaring. My working theory is that it’s much like the rule changes in the NFL. People got tired off watching games end 7-3 (not me-love some defense!), so they changed the rules to make scoring easier and therefore increase viewership/revenue. I guess players find it more exciting to get 24 point hands out of nowhere, rather than grinding out 4-10 point hands which is much more realistic. That being said, the proof is in the pudding, because I’m totally hooked. There are a lot of good players, the gameplay is smooth, and at least the pegging portion seems realistic.

Updated Update: this game has become too unreal for enjoyment. I am going to seek another option. Name for 'advanced' changed to 'brutal' but that belies what the game is. The game is unrealistic and tests not one's ability to play the game but one's tolerance for the computer receiving unbelievably good hands a non-randomly measured percent of the time. Frankly, 'brutal' really means 'brutally out of touch with reality'. And it seems to be getting worse. Frankly, it is taking the fun out of playing. While I enjoy playing this App a lot, at the advanced level it does not come close to reality. Just be prepared to lose 60% of the games regardless how well you are doing as the app will consistently catch 12, 14, 16 and more points in hand and juicy cribs as well while you scrounge out your best with crappola hands. Skill plays a part in cribbage but nowhere near as much as luck and the app has odds defying luck. "Advanced" should have to do with knowledge and skill. Cribbage depends A LOT on the cards one is dealt. At the Advanced level, Cribbage Pro takes a significant detour from reality. Better and more realistic randomizing of the cards to represent reality would make it more enjoyable. I do think it is the best of the cribbage apps I have tried but it just does not come close to reality and that is a shame.