There is a concept of a “triple skunk” in cribbage, but it is not officially recognized in the rules of the game. In traditional cribbage play, the goal is to be the first player to reach a total of 121 points. However, some players choose to add extra rules to make the game more challenging or exciting, and one of these optional rules is the concept of a triple skunk.
A skunk in cribbage occurs when one player wins the game before their opponent has reached 91 points. This is already a significant victory, as the opponent has not even reached the halfway mark. It can be quite disheartening for the losing player to be skunked, but it adds an element of competitiveness to the game.
Now, a double skunk occurs when one player wins the game before their opponent has reached 61 points. This is an even more impressive victory, as the opponent has not even reached the two-thirds mark. It can be quite demoralizing for the losing player to be double skunked, but it adds an extra challenge to the game.
A triple skunk occurs when one player wins the game before their opponent has reached 31 points. This is the ultimate skunk and represents a dominant performance by the winning player. It is a rare occurrence, as it requires the winning player to score 121 points while their opponent scores less than a third of that total.
The concept of triple skunk is not included in the official rules of cribbage play and is purely optional. Some players may choose to play with this rule to make the game more competitive or to add an extra level of challenge. However, it is important to note that not all players may agree to play with the triple skunk rule, so it is always best to clarify the rules before starting a game.
In my personal experience, I have played cribbage with friends who enjoy adding the triple skunk rule to our games. It definitely adds an extra level of excitement and competitiveness to the game. When someone gets close to triple skunking their opponent, the tension in the room rises, and it becomes a thrilling race to the finish line. However, it can also be quite disheartening to be on the receiving end of a triple skunk, as it represents a significant skill gap between the players.
While the concept of a triple skunk is not officially recognized in the rules of cribbage play, it is an optional rule that some players choose to add for extra excitement and challenge. It represents a dominant victory where one player wins the game before their opponent has reached 31 points. Whether or not to play with this rule is up to the players involved, and it is always best to clarify the rules before starting a game.