In the card game cribbage, a “skunk” describes a significant loss for one player. Specifically, it occurs when the loser’s score is 30 or fewer points at the conclusion of the game. To illustrate, if one player reaches 121 points and their opponent has only accumulated 28 points, the losing player is considered to have been “skunked.”
Suffering a skunk often carries increased stakes or penalties, varying based on house rules or agreed-upon game conditions. In some variations, a skunk loss doubles the game’s value, meaning the loser must pay twice the usual amount. Historically, avoiding a skunk has been a point of pride for cribbage players, adding an extra layer of strategy and competitiveness to the game.
