Play cribbage? Good, then you know what "nobs" means (or is it "nibs?")
Cribbage is one of the world's oldest card games and many Milwaukee taverns are hosting competetive cribbage tournaments or are stocked with cribbage boards.
Originally called "Noddy" and invented in the early 1600s by Englishman Sir John Suckling, cribbage is the only game in England that can be played for money. Here in Milwaukee, cribbage is more popular than ever, mostly because it's fun and, unlike other card games such as sheepshead, it's an easy game that can be learned in about 30 minutes.
Here are a few places that host formal cribbage events and plenty of local bars and coffeeshops have cribbage boards that are yours to borrow for the asking.
Nomad World Pub
1401 E. Brady St.
The Nomad has cribbage tourneys every Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. Everyone's invited to this weekly cribbage fest. Costs about $5 to play (it depends on the number of people who participate.) Call (414) 224-8111 for more info.
Swizzler's
5121 W. Howard Ave.
This group plays every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. sharp and requires you to be a "good player." The cost is $20. Call (414) 545-3930 for more information.
Y-NOT II
706 E. Lyon St.
The Y-NOT's cribbage season runs from September through January, but they may start up another season or host less formal cribbage sessions. For more information, contact Tony on Tuesday nights at (414) 347-9972.
This past cribbage season had the largest turn-out to date, with fourteen teams of peggers. Tournaments are held on Monday nights and have a weekly fee of $12. Cribbage boards are always available behind the bar.
{INSERT_RELATED}Zodiac Luxury Lounge
201 W. Mitchell St.
Opening in February, the smoke-free Zodiac plans to possibly sponsor cribbage (as well as chess) tournaments. At the very least, the owners will have cribbage boards available and will highly encourage patrons to peg the night away.
Henry's Pub & Grill
2523 E. Belleview Pl.
Remember when Henry's was inside the Coffee Trader building and had tabletops engrained with chess/checker boards? Well, they don't have formal gaming anymore, but they still sport cribbage boards behind the bar for your card-playing pleasure.
Plus, most cafes and coffeeshops in town are cribbage friendly and thrift stores and rummage sales are great places to score cool old boards. Just beware of the skunk (peggers, you know what I mean!)
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
