From the source rules

Who goes first in Cribbage?

Bicycle Cards rules, standard 52-card pack (English)

Both players cut the deck; the lower card deals the first hand. The non-dealer plays the first card. In later games, the loser of the previous game deals first.

Official tie-break or fallback

If both players cut cards of the same rank, they each draw again.

Source & edition

Cribbage — How to PlayBicycle Cards (The United States Playing Card Company) · "The Draw, Shuffle and Cut", "The Deal" and "The Play" sections · Checked 2026-10-01

All 16 Bicycle Cards (The United States Playing Card Company) starting rules

If your rules call for a random choice, use the player picker.

Rule details

The crib belongs to the dealer.

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<blockquote class="whogoesfirst-rule" cite="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/cribbage-bicycle-en/">
  <p><strong>Who goes first in Cribbage?</strong> Both players cut the deck; the lower card deals the first hand. The non-dealer plays the first card. In later games, the loser of the previous game deals first.</p>
  <p>— <a href="https://whogoesfirst.fun/games/cribbage-bicycle-en/">Official starting rule on Who Goes First?</a> (Bicycle Cards rules, standard 52-card pack (English))</p>
</blockquote>

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