41, uh hmm...

We just added another country to the list! That's officially 41 countries with Cribbaholics in them that have clicked here at C.U.

Hals Crib... improve your game!

Looking for a way to improve your cribbage game?? I know I am. I've always played for fun - never even read a cribbage book or thought a lot about the strategy of the game other than just "knowing" from experience what to play and what to discard or keep.

But isn't it more fun when you win??? Of course! So I'm looking for ways to improve and I came across a player at eCribbage.com named HalsCrib. He has some kind of program that will help to improve your game. I've begun checking out the info on his web site and it looks pretty good. If anyone has any personal experience with it please let me know or publish your comments here.

In the meantime, check it out yourself at HalsCrib.

Interesting twist on Cribbage...

From Examiner.com:

"..."High Stakes Cribbage" (or any other game for two, like Scrabble, rummy, Uno, etc.). Each partner creates two "desire cards" by writing down, on two, face-down index cards, something s/he would like from the other should s/he win. It could be a dinner cooked in the nude or a bath for two; having a servant for the night or being one. Preferably, it should be something a little risky, so that its worth playing all out for in the game. When the game is over, the loser picks one of the winner's two "desire cards." If the loser doesn't feel that s/he can't possibly perform the chosen wish, then s/he has the option of taking the second card, but s/he must perform that request, no matter what. (Idea courtesy of Martha McKinley.)..."

Original article here.

On the list... cribbage...

From Converging Heritage:










Full post here

Cribbaholics Unanimous hits 40!!!!

Forty countries that is. How they are all finding us is still unknown. Why they come... a mystery, but the reason they return is clear: Where else can you get (and share) all the cribbage news in the known universe? Only here.

There may be fancier sites and more brilliant blogs, but here you can achieve cribbage immortality. Do you have a unique cribbage tale to tell? Have you scored that perfect 29? Maybe you have a board your grandfather used during the war... send me your posts, poems and piquant tidbits and they will be preserved here forever at Cribbaholics Unanimous.

Cheers, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Joe

REI outdoor cribbage board...

Check out this interesting "outdoor" cribbage board from REI.com. They are selling them for $45.



Saw it here.

Crash Cribbage to Join eCribbage.com Family

From PRWeb:

Damien Blond, founder of eCribbage, announced today that Crash Cribbage will soon be joining the line up of cribbage games available for online play at http://eCribbage.com.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) November 26, 2008 -- Crash Cribbage joins Kings Cribbage, Cribbage with Jokers, Lowball Cribbage, Traditional Cribbage, and four other cribbage variants in the rapidly growing online eCribbage community started in mid-2008.

Crash Cribbage is a variation of cribbage that uses the traditional rules of cribbage but is played on a unique figure-8 pegging track. All players share the same track and can bump or "crash" into each others' pegs thereby adding or subtracting points. This adds a new element of offensive and defensive strategy in the pegging round.

"The new partnership with Crash Cribbage is very exciting," said Blond. "eCribbage prides itself in its vast collection of cribbage games, so having Crash Cribbage available to play at eCribbage.com is an essential part of the experience for cribbage enthusiasts."

Crash Cribbage designer Joe Kane, who is also an active duty U.S. Navy chief petty officer stationed in San Diego said making Crash Cribbage available for online play has been a goal for nearly ten years.

"I'm almost in shock," Kane said. "Since I first came up with the concept of Crash right after my first Western Pacific deployment with USS Boxer in '96 - '97 and made a rough prototype in my basement, I've been trying to find someone to design a virtual version that I'd be happy with. When I met Damien in 2007 and saw the incredible community of cribbage enthusiasts he was building, I knew right away we just had to work together on Crash."

Kane said he's been selling the physical version of Crash Cribbage from his Web site, http://www.crashcribbage.com since about 1999 but getting a version online is like a dream come true.

"I can't wait to play online," said Kane. "I've had boxes of Crash Cribbage boards in my garage for all these years as I've sold them from my Web site, but I rarely get to meet or interact with the people who purchase them. The online version will not only be a cool new way to play and to introduce the game to a bunch more people, but will also be a great way to get direct feedback from people around the world who play the game."

The online beta version of Crash Cribbage is scheduled for release before Christmas and the board game is available now for sale at http://www.eCribbage.com or at http://www.crashcribbage.com.

About eCribbage: eCribbage is the leader in online cribbage gaming and boasts the largest collection of unique cribbage games available online. These games consist of Traditional Cribbage, Manual Count Cribbage, Kings Cribbage, Cribbage with Jokers, Back up 10 Cribbage, Team Cribbage, Cribbage with Muggins, Lowball Cribbage, and Crash Cribbage. eCribbage prides itself in its friendly community and constant enhancements to the site, which makes it the perfect online cribbage experience. In order to promote friendly competition, eCribbage hosts frequent tournaments covering all of its cribbage games. eCribbage is completely free for anyone who wants to play.
For more information, contact: Damien Blond: damien @ ecribbage.com or Joe Kane: joe @ ablekane.com

###

A cribbage poem...

From Linda's Poetry:

A Time the Lights Went Out April 29, 2008
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

We were watching
the channel 13 news
at 5:30 with Kiley Bennett

He in his recliner
and me sideways
on the couch

with my legs stretched out.
There’d been a killing
in Portland, a car crash

on I-95 near mile marker 14
with two fatalities, and
tornadoes in the Midwest.

Then nothing. The screen
went black and our minds
went blank. We looked

at each other. Now what?
“Want to play cribbage?”
We got the cards and board out,
I moved closer to him
and we started playing, laughing,
smirking, swearing, chuckling.

Then the TV blinked
back on and we put
the cards away.

I returned to my couch
and the news,
unsmiling.

Original post here.

Pegged out: Helmuth H. Berndt...

From The Oshkosh Northwestern:

Helmuth H. (Junior) Berndt, age 64, of Berlin, died peacefully on Friday morning November 21, 2008 at the Berlin Memorial Hospital with his family at his side.

He was born on April 17, 1944 in Ripon, the son of Helmuth and Edith M. (Daehn) Berndt.

He attended Ripon High School and was a graduate of Markesan High School. Helmuth served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era and was stationed in Germany from 1962 until 1965. He married Nadia H. Volk on July 11, 1964 in Worms, Germany.

He then became employed in construction for the Colon Wallace Construction Co. of Berlin where he worked for some time. Junior also worked as a farm helper and was in Maintenance at the Berlin Foundry for 30 years, best known to all as BR549. Junior then worked at the Aladdin Cleaners of Berlin in Delivery until his health failed.

He was a member of the Berlin Lions Club, his hobbies included Bowling, Pool Leagues, tend to his garden especially his rose bushes, loved to mow his neighbors lawns, fishing, hunting, made fantastic home-made Sauer Kraut, especially liked working with wood and made many special things, loved to sing, play canasta, cribbage, and board games with family and friends. He was especially noted to pick on his family and friends in fun and he also would do anything for anybody and expect nothing in return.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Nadia, his children, Edith (Tom Guden) Helmuth of Berlin, Connie (Mark) Hardel of Montello, Veronica (Doug) Schendel of Ripon, Peter (Vicki) Deering) of Kaukauna, and Tammy (Dan) Hazel of Omro, his grandchildren, Brandon Helmuth, Ashley and Austin Guden, Nickolas (C.J. Maniscalco), Tyler Hardel, Braze, Macy and Nathan Schendel, Jerry and Chris Deering, Benjamin and Kadence Hazel, great grandchildren, Kaleb and Sean Hardel, brother, Roy (Barbara) Berndt of Green Lake, sister, Mabel Graff of Markesan, brother in law, Almond Meyer of Winneconne, also many nieces and nephews and all of his very special coffee clutch friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister in law, Eric (Marion) Berndt, sister, Fern Meyer, sisters and brothers in law, Eunice (Durwood) Grams, Helen (Vernon) Podoll and brother in law, Marvin Graff.

Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Wiecki-Skipchak Funeral Home of downtown Berlin with the Pastor Peter Quello officiating.

Following the services a fellowship and luncheon with the family will be held in the Funeral Home Family Center and all are invited.

Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral Home.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Doctor Lambert and Wong of the Regional Clinic of Fond du Lac, Juliette Manor Nursing Home of Berlin, the Intensive Care Unit of the Berlin Memorial Hospital and also Dr. Todd Bradshaw for all of the special care and kindness given to him and his family throughout his illness.

Original article.

One of 52 random things...

From 52 Random Things:













Original post here.

Pegged out: Karolyn Cleveland, cribbage player...

From The News Observer:

Retirement community's Energizer Bunny dies at 97

BONNIE ROCHMAN, Staff Writer

CARY - For many at Glenaire retirement community, it seemed as though Karolyn Cleveland had always been there. And, in truth, she had.
The community opened its doors in June 1993; she moved in two months later.

Anyone would have understood if Cleveland, as she approached the century mark, opted to curl up in a rocker and while away her twilight years.

But she had a job -- lots of them.

She made sure residents decades younger got up each morning and showed up for breakfast in the dining room.

She played bridge and cards and cribbage, served as secretary for Glenaire's buildings and grounds committee, and pioneered the Busy Fingers, a handiwork group that met weekly to knit, crochet, quilt and gab.

She sang in the chorus. She organized yard sales and decorated the hall bulletin board, adorning it with snowflakes for winter and hearts for Valentine's Day.

"She was impatient with folks who complained about their problems and dragged their heels," said Sam Stone, Glenaire's former executive director. "She lived life energetically."

A week before her death Oct. 25, Cleveland participated in the senior games held with two other Presbyterian continuing-care communities. She boarded a bus for the competition, which was near High Point. An avid golfer, Cleveland competed in putting.

Along for the ride were some boosters from Glenaire -- cheerleaders, actually. Cleveland had organized the Busy Fingers to craft pompoms for their shoes.

Cleveland, who had lived independently at Glenaire, died of pneumonia. She was 97.

In 1911, Karolyn Meyer Cleveland was born into a prominent German-American family in Indiana. She married her childhood sweetheart, a fiber salesman, and moved with him and their two boys to Atlanta, Connecticut and New York City. In Manhattan, on the banks of the East River, the Clevelands kept a cabin cruiser they used to shuttle visitors to the 1964 New York World's Fair.

In 1973, after Wayne Cleveland retired, they moved south to Pine Knoll Shores, N.C., a town on the coast where he eventually became mayor. They developed the easy, familiar routines of retirement: golf, and lots of it, and a daily trek to the ocean every afternoon at 4, where they'd join friends for cocktails.

After her husband died in 1983, Cleveland stayed at the shore for another 10 years before moving to Cary.

In an unfortunate twist of fate, Cleveland's son also ended up at Glenaire after suffering a stroke.

She visited daily, encouraging him to join her for a program in the auditorium or catch a Friday night movie.

In her 80s at the time, Cleveland had a list of commitments that rivaled those of someone decades younger.

Every Sunday night was devoted to playing 99, in which every player gets three cards and four coins and wheels and deals until the first player amasses 99 points and is crowned the winner. The women in the group were younger than Cleveland, but they ceded the task of shuffling to her.

"Good exercise," she called it.

"Her fingers were still just as limber as they could be," said Betsy McNeill, her neighbor. "The rest of us, much younger than she, were all stiff."

Birthday biscuits

McNeill and Cleveland, who was 14 years older, shared the same birthday. You know what they say about older people and forgetfulness, but it hardly seemed to apply to Cleveland. When each March 23 dawned, McNeill would open her door to find hot homemade biscuits, a birthday treat from Cleveland.

At monthly hall meals, Cleveland could be counted on to liven up the dinner conversation. She'd bring age-appropriate stories to tell, like the one about the doctor who met his patient on the street, accompanied by a lovely lady.

"Doctor," the patient began, "I've got a hot mama on my arm."

"Oh, no," the doctor replied. "That's not what I said. I said you have a heart murmur."

Twice a year, Glenaire hosts a yard sale. The Busy Fingers always staffed a table where they sold knitting needles, thread, unfinished cross-stitch canvases and fabric scraps.

The most recent yard sale took place last month. Cleveland, as usual, spent most of the day representing the Busy Fingers table.

At one point during the day, a friend, Maria Kiser, offered to relieve her.

"Oh, no," she replied with a smile. "I might miss something."

Now it's Busy Fingers' turn to miss her. Without Cleveland as a driving force, Busy Fingers may unravel.

* * *

Karolyn Cleveland is survived by two sons, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.


Life Stories
bonnie.rochman@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4871

Original article here.

Book for cribbage players...

I've had several emails now... well, ok, I only got two emails, asking for ideas about books to learn cribbage. Amazon has several, but one that I know of is this one. It's a pretty good all around book for cribbage players. Feedback and comments are welcome.

Cheers and happy pegging<
JK

Cribbage Albatross...

From South Coast Today:

"Jerry Prezioso first went aboard the Albatross in 1969 as a 19-year-old student, and has since logged 664 days at sea.

He likened Thursday's ceremony to a high school reunion, and said it made him think back to seasickness, cribbage games and watching movies using a projector and reels..."

Full article

Cribbage enroute to the bottom of the world...

From The Scientific American:

"I settle into work while most of the other passengers fall asleep. One contested cribbage game continues in the back on a box of snowmobiles. I chat with the flight crew asking questions about the C17 that will deliver the fuel to the northern camp next week. I hope we can get videos of the packages sliding out the back of the aircraft. I really hope to attach a Flip vide to one of the packages to get a sense of what it would be like to ride down to the camp with the airdrop package..."

Full article.

History of cards...

From The Guardian:


Photo: The Cheat with the Ace of Diamonds, by Georges de la Tour (1635). Photograph: Corbis






Leaders of the pack: A short history of cards
Who would have thought the humble deck of cards was once a luxury only the aristocracy could afford?
By Andy Bodle

For a symbol of international harmony and cross-cultural cooperation, look no further than the nearest pack of cards. Playing cards in their present form are the result of ideas and refinements from at least eight countries and four continents over the course of 1,200 years.

The concept, and the technology to make the paper they are printed on, probably originated in China around the end of the first millennium. During the Tang dynasty of the 9th century AD, a Princess Tongchang is said to have played the "leaf game". This was probably a paper form of dominoes rather than true cards, but 100 years later Emperor Mu- Tsung is recorded as shuffling and dealing the real thing.

Cards did not arrive in Europe until the mid-14th century, either in Islamic Spain or as the result of trade between the Mamluks of Egypt and Italy. By this time they were already in something like their current form, so it's reasonable to assume that the basic mechanics of cards - the four-suit system, royalty, and perhaps the concept of taking tricks - were established either in India or the Middle East.

In the first years after their arrival, cards were illustrated by hand, and as such were a luxury only the aristocracy could afford. But such was the demand for packs that cheaper methods of production were called for, and by the early 15th century the Germans had mastered printing with wood blocks. With the hardware easily obtainable, cards became popular among people of all classes.

The earliest packs consisted of four suits - cups, swords, coins and polo sticks - and there were no female faces in the game, the royalty consisting of a king and two viceroys. It was mid-15th-century France, where card fever really took hold, that invented the suits and court cards that most countries use today.

Britain was something of a latecomer to the game - the first recorded mention of cards is in a statute prohibiting their importation in 1463. But here too the law failed to contain the new craze, and by 1629 British card manufacturers had their own union.

By 1534, the French writer Rabelais could name 35 different card games. The games played today are the descendants of diversions invented by the Spanish (bezique), the Italians (primero, which evolved into ecarte, trump and, ultimately, whist), the Brits (cribbage), Uruguayans (canasta) and even the Amish (euchre).

The New World made several other contributions. The pilgrims were manufacturing their own decks within decades of arriving, and it was American devotees who gave us rounded edges, the joker card (originally a special card in the game called euchre), the process of lamination, and dozens of games including poker, pinochle and bridge.

Hands of time: pivotal moments in the evolution of cards

c820AD

Cards are invented in China, during the Tang dynasty. The first suits are in fact increasing denominations of currency (coins, strings of coins, myriads of strings, and tens of myriads), which suggests they may have been derived from actual money. Alternative theories say they may have been a paper adaptation of dominoes, or dice.

Early 14th century

Probable first arrival of cards in Europe, in Italy. They have travelled from China via India and the Middle East, and specifically with the Mamluks of Egypt.

1371

First documentary evidence of cards in Spain; in a Catalan rhyming dictionary, of all places.

1377

First detailed description of playing cards in Europe, by a Swiss monk named John of Rheinfelden.

1380

Suddenly, they're everywhere - mentions of cards crop up as far afield as Florence, Basle, Regensburg, Brabant, Paris and Barcelona.

1392-93

Charles or Charbot Poupart, the treasurer of the household of Charles VI of France, records payment for the painting of three sets of cards.

1440

Johann Gutenberg invents the movable-type press. Improvements in printing technology mean that cards can now be mass-produced.

1462

Earliest reference to cards in Britain. This and most of the mentions thereafter are bannings, fulminations against the evils of gambling, or notices of arrest for so doing.

1480

The four suits now commonly seen worldwide are first used in France, adapted from the German suits of hearts, bells, leaves, and acorns.

Late 1400s

The ace, or one, which had always had the lowest value in cards, starts to gain a special significance. Ace becomes high.

Early 1500s

Card-makers at Rouen hit upon the distinctive card illustrations that we still use today.

1520

First mention of the game of triomphe in Spain. Now obsolete, the game spawned many games such as euchre, whist and bridge.

1674

Publication of Charles Cotton's Compleat Gamester, one of the first attempts to lay down authoritative rules for many card and dice games.

1685

The first paper money is issued in North America - as IOUs on the backs of used playing cards - by Jacques de Meulles, the French governor of Quebec.

1711

First systematic tax on packs of cards introduced.

1742

Publication of Edmund Hoyle's Short Treatise on the Game of Whist. The pamphlet goes through several editions and becomes one of the bestselling publications of the 18th century.

1793

Post-revolutionary French authorities ban the depictions of royalty on playing cards. Kings, queens and jacks became liberties, equalities and fraternities. This stands for 12 years until Napoleon comes to power and tells them not to be so silly.

1834

First documented game of poker on a Mississippi river steamer. The game, a refinement of the Persian game "as nas", takes its name from a similar French game, "poque".

Mid-1800s

Card names abbreviated and placed in the corner for the first time. Partly for this reason, the "knave" (whose abbreviation is the same as for "king") now becomes the "jack".

1857

First appearance of the joker.

1868

Bezique is introduced to England. The rules, as published, are unclear; panic in the streets.

Early 20th century

Canasta is invented in South America. It becomes globally popular after WW2.

1909

In a New York club, ET Baker invents gin rummy. It catches on in Hollywood, and subsequently the world, in the 1940s.

1914-18

Pontoon is the game of choice among soldiers in first world war trenches.

1925

Harold Stirling Vanderbilt, on a cruise from San Francisco to Havana, perfects the rules of contract bridge, which becomes the most popular card game in the west.

1935

Card manufacturers attempt to introduce a fifth suit (not black, not red, but green) called the "eagles" in the US and "crowns" in the UK. It is a dismal failure.

Original article

Turning kids in to cribbage fiends...

From The Guardian, Saturday November 22, 2008:

Top tips for turning your kids into card fanatics
by Janet Cross

Playing cards is a great, non-sexist antidote to hi-tech kids' games. They will learn to love playing cards as they enjoy undivided adult attention and build up their concentration. They're also learning how to abide by rules, take turns and be a good winner or loser. Here's how to raise a team of card connoisseurs:

Get really little ones used to cards by starting a riotous game of snap. Try and avoid crushing their tiny digits in the mayhem.

Start your budding card sharks (aged five and upwards) off with some classic family games such as old maid and pig to familiarise them with card etiquette - sorting by number or suit and holding a number of cards. Keep the suspense up by giving a running commentary, asking players what they are thinking and hoping.

Improve pocket poker players' concentration by playing memory, where they will learn to make pairs and remember positioning.

All ages enjoy madcap games such as spoons or cheat, but balance these with strategic games like hearts, sevens and whist as they get older. Introduce "betting-lite" on special occasions in games such as newmarket or pontoon.

Grandparents will adore passing on the intricacies of older games such as cribbage to inquiring young minds. The complex scoring will help their mental arithmetic, too.

Use playing cards that are interesting or informative. Who knows, they might learn the names of all the kings and queens of England as they struggle to outwit their siblings.

Encourage children to make up their own house rules so they can be imaginative and hone games they love to play. This will help nurture their interest.

Original article.

Fascinating card facts...

From The Guardian:, Saturday November 22 2008

Without cards, there would be no sarnies. You're probably aware the sandwich was named after the 18th-century earl. But do you know why John Montagu dreamed up his eponymous snack? Because he didn't want to leave the cribbage table to go to dinner.

Many individual cards have picked up nicknames over the years. For example, the four of clubs is often known as Ned Stokes, the Devil's four-poster, or the Curse of Mexico; the queen of clubs, Queen Bess; the nine of diamonds, the curse of Scotland; the king of hearts, the suicide king (because he appears to be stabbing himself through the head); the king of diamonds, the man with the axe; the ace of clubs, the horseshoe; the ace of spades, old frizzle.

The king of hearts is the only without a moustache - but not because of superior personal hygiene. He originally had one, but it was lost in the reproduction of the original design. A similar mistake caused his axe to become a sword.

Ever wondered why the ace of spades' spade is larger and more ornate than the others? It's a tax thing. The first systematic duty was imposed on cards in 1711, and in order to indicate that the fee had been paid, a tax stamp was placed on the top card, which was usually the ace of spades. In 1828 it was decided instead that the Stamp Office would print an official ace of spades with the royal coat of arms to signal that the tax had been paid.

Chemistry lessons would be a lot harder if it weren't for cards. For it was while playing his beloved patience that Russian scientist Dmitri Mendeleev had his brainwave about the organisation of the elements - and thus was born the periodic table.

Gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok, who was shot dead at the poker table in 1876, is not the only famous person to have died while playing - comedian Buster Keaton and singer Al Jolson also pegged it at the card table.

Cards were freely available in Britain from the 15th century onwards - until April 1940, when the Nazi invasion of Norway interrupted our supply of cardboard. Winston Churchill insisted that playing card manufacture be maintained at any cost, as they were the soldiers' principal form of entertainment in the trenches.

During the Vietnam war, the US Playing Card Company manufactured crates of aces of spades to ship out to troops. Rumour had it that the Vietcong held the card in mortal dread, believing it to be the symbol of death. Rumour was wrong, but airdropping the cards over Vietnamese villages apparently helped the US soldiers' morale.

A few common English phrases taken from the table: on the cards, play your cards right, steal a march (euchre), not my strong suit, streets ahead (cribbage), ace up your sleeve, beats me, call your bluff, high roller, pass the buck, up the ante, when the chips are down, left in the lurch, raw deal, follow suit, come up trumps.

Original article.

24... at F-Troop NAS North Island...

Another round of Friday afternoon Crash Cribbage at the Naval Station North Island Chief's Club resulted in a very nice hand for Mickey... good thing he had his iphone there to capture the moment.

After a fierce battle of closely fought card play Mickey came out victorious in the match... cigars were smoked, beverages imbibed and a good time had by all.

Cheers!
JK

Perfect hand and teaching cribbage to the young...

From Mr. Dilittante:

"...My son is off camping up at Stearns (fortunately in a shelter) so today seemed like a good night to start teaching my daughter Maria how to play cribbage. I learned to play cribbage when I was a youngster and I've always loved playing it. Besides being a fun game to play, it's an excellent game for teaching math skills and at 8 1/2 years of age, Maria is at the perfect age to learn.


So we sprawled out on the living room floor and I started teaching her the rules..."

Full post

Cribbage and frying eggs...

From the Daily Press:

This article was originally published Nov. 18, 1997, in the Daily Press Lifestyles section.
By Karen Wils, for the Daily Press



ESCANABA - Saturday, Nov. 15: It's Opening Day!

Everybody is here. The guys came up yesterday to set up camp. Matt hauled in firewood.

It took Mark two hours to unpack all of his boots and insulated underwear. Looks like he is going to stay for months.

Dave won at cribbage last night, so I did supper dishes.

Thirty degrees this morning and a light dusting of snow. Mark is frying eggs...

Full post.

Royal Canadian Cribbage...

From Royal Canadian Legion Branch 128:

Cribbage sucks... or maybe it's the player???

From The Life of T:




Full post here.

WWII POW cribbage and escape adventure...

From The Neosho Daily News:

"As winter turned into spring, the prisoners nightly picked up the BBC on carefully hidden radios. It didn’t take a genius to figure out the Allies were winning the war. And getting closer to the camp.

One day in April, Parkinson was playing cribbage with some British soldiers around a table in one of the barracks when he heard a sound he recognized: The buzz of an American fighter plane.

Based on his last experience with “friendly planes,” he should have been wary.

The American pilot opened up with his machine guns on the enclosed camp, making no less than three passes and criss-crossing it with deadly fire.


Parkinson’s English cribbage partner, sitting directly across from him, caught a bullet square in the middle of his back.

“He never knew what hit him,” Parkinson said. “He was just across the table from me. How lucky can you be, huh?"

Full post

Crash Cribbage in Chula Vista!

The Crash Cribbage revolution continued it's unstoppable progress last night at a single-family home in Chula Vista, CA. Names are being withheld due to tight security designed to foil cribbage purists from stamping out the wave of "twisted cribbage players," as we are sometimes called.

In a related incident there were reports of two individuals spotted playing Crash Cribbage on Naval Station North Island yesterday as well. Initial reports seem to confirm that the pegging began at the naval station and later migrated to Chula Vista - meanwhile hushed mutterings of a pending online version of Crash Cribbage are as yet unconfirmed. Stay tuned for the latest.

Viva la revolution!
JK

When God plays cribbage...

From Wilderness Star:


"After I defeated her in round #1, Hannah insisted we play another. As we began she threw this in the kitty: “This is a good way to see who God loves more.”

“Oh wow… “ I groaned, but grinned at the idea and jokingly trash-talked back. “Yeah, lets see!”"


Full post

Cribbage and a can of whoop ass... for real!

Some people talk about breaking out a can of something... this person DOES it. This is from KatieBugLove's blog:











So here it is.... the can you've been waiting for.






Full post here.

Cribbage and War Tales...

From The Star.com:

By George "Jim" Green
War tales: Rough landing on Italy


Excerpt:

"...It was just an awful, awful time."

On a trip into a beach, he'd make friendly chit-chat with the soldiers, then lower the ramp. "My job was to get them off. It sounds cruel, but there you are." The majority usually made it ashore, he says.

In April 1945, he was on a base in Italy waiting to go home, watching guys play cribbage.

"Suddenly there was this big voom and a white light. The guy dealing the cards, his hand appeared to burst like a balloon. Next thing I knew, I was lying on my back. I could hardly breathe. I thought, `Uh-oh, this is it.' I started running."

A nearby ship being loaded with explosives had blown up.

Green, 85, says his grandson has some of his war memorabilia, but a lot of it has been lost.

"My friends here are all I've got," he says, patting six medals he's laid on his bed in the veterans residence at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre."

Banner designs for Cribbaholics Unanimous...

Hey everyone, check out the cool new banner at the top of the page! Thanks to Hilary of The Smitten Image for designing it for me!!! I'm sending her a brand new Crash Cribbage board.

Everyone please email or comment as to how you like it.

By the way, check out Hilary's site... it's pretty interesting and has some great photos.


If anyone else would like to take a shot at designing a logo (or anything else) for Cribbaholics Unanimous please leave a comment here and I'll contact you.

Cheers, and thanks again Hilary... I'm putting you in the Cribbaholics Unanimous Hall of Fame.

Keep pegging,
Joe

Xmas handmade cribbage...

From The Casingers:

"So, one year when we were young, the adults decided that all of the adults would make their gift for the person that they drew. There was no price limit on what you could spend, and the only stipulation was that it didn't matter what you made, but it had to be MADE, not bought. The kids skirted out of this one, seeing as kids are kids, and they like toys and it would have been boring to get a wood box with your name on it. I must say, though, these gifts were very creative. The one that stands out in my mind was the one that my Dad got from my Uncle Myles. My dad loved to play games (which is probably where I get it from!), and he loved to play Cribbage (I'm fond of the game myself!). Anyhow, my Uncle Myles made my father a cribbage board, a homemade cribbage board! The kicker? It was made out of a wood toilet seat! It was great!..."


Full post here.

Anyone have ideas for a new logo??

I'm not all that happy with the current one on this page. So, email me if you have any ideas.

Here's the current one : as if you did not know already.

Cheers,
Joe

Update...

From eCribbage.com:

Sunshine State Cribbage Tournament...

Robert Milk says he "was having a bad run of cards after lunch. However, I did end up winning the Sunshine State Crib Tournament held November 1 and 2, 2008."

Geez, Bob, what happens when you have a good run of cards??? Congratulations, and keep pegging. :o)

39 countries and counting...

Today we added another country to the list! Cribbaholics all over the world are discovering us. What do they do once they get here? Good question. There's really no point to this site other than to share your cribbage related stories, photos and videos with the rest of the cribbage loving world... but isn't that enough?

I think so.

Pegged out: Arlene Angelina Houle

From Superior Telegram:

On Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, with loving family at her side, we lost our loving mother, Arlene Houle, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in Ashland on April 13, 1935, to Hilja and John Biolo. She was raised and grew up in Herbster. On June 4, 1953, she married LeRoy Houle in Superior. They spent 32 years together and had 12 children. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially at our yearly summer picnic and Christmas party. She always looked forward to being with her lady friends to play bunko and cribbage. She would even sign-up and play in cribbage tournaments. Win or lose she always had a great time.

She touched many lives and she will be greatly missed, but we can rest assure knowing that she is now one of Gods angels looking down on us.

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She is survived by four sons, LeRoy (Betsy) Houle Jr. of Iron River, Louis Houle of Cloquet, Minn., Dennis Houle of Superior and Vincent Houle (Jayme) of Superior; eight daughters, Theresa (Jim) Dalton of Superior, Linda Houle (Don) of Washburn, Angie (John) Rezzler of Ashland, Sandy (Jeff) Rolandson of Superior, Elizabeth Case (Aaron) of Butternut, Dorothy (Troy) Frechette of Superior, Brenda Hartshorn (Keith) of Tomah and Susan Houle (Kevin) of Ashland; five sisters, Astrid (Matt) Shykes, Audrey (Rudy) Kavajecz, Janet (Morgan) Kinney, Deborah (Dick) Nilsen and Adele Hoium; two brothers, Craig (Terri) Polkoski and Dean (Pat) Polkoski; 34 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, LeRoy Houle on Dec. 9, 1986; mother, Hilja Polkoski, father, John Biolo; and brother, Darryl Biolo.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Louis Catholic Church, in Washburn, with Father Michael Haney officiating. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery, in Washburn. Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Bratley Funeral Home in Washburn with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue at the St. Louis Catholic Church in Washburn on Wednesday one hour prior to the service.

Original article here.