Skunks
A skunk is losing a game by 31 or more: when the winner reaches 121, the loser has not reached 91. A double skunk is the loser short of 61.
The skunk line at 91
A game ends when one player pegs past 120. If the loser has not reached 91, that is a skunk, and at most tables the game counts double. On many pegboards there is a mark at 91, the skunk line, so you can see at a glance whether the player behind is clear of it. How to play has the pegboard and the run to 121.
- You 121, Mabel 88: a skunk. Mabel is three short of the line.
- Mabel 121, you 91: no skunk. 91 is the line, and you reached it.
The double skunk at 61
If the loser has not reached 61, that is a double skunk, and the game counts three. Some tables play it, some don't. Settle which way you play before the first deal.
- You 121, Mabel 55: a double skunk. Mabel is short of 61, never mind 91.
What Mabel's Cribbage does
Mabel's Cribbage plays single games to 121 and doesn't count skunks. The pegboard has no skunk line. If you want to keep a tally by skunks, keep it on paper for now.
The points that get you past 91
Staying clear of a skunk comes down to the points you find. Pegging and the go has the fifteens, pairs and runs laid down hand by hand, and counting a hand has every kind of score at the show. The 29 hand is the highest a single hand can count.