High-calibre cribbage is being contested this week as part of the 55-Plus B.C. Games in Nanaimo.
The action at the Oliver Woods Community Centre on Thursday, Sept. 11, saw one player come oh-so-close to the perfect cribbage hand. Manuela Lale, who is from Victoria and originally from Austria, scored a 28, one card off from a perfect 29. She had a king and three fives, as opposed to a jack and three fives. Still, she said she was happy at the rare occurrence and the first 28-point score she's ever had.
"I was very surprised. I mean, of course, you always hope for a good hand," she said.
Kenn Hample, 55-Plus B.C. Games sports chairperson for cribbage, said a 28 or a 29 doesn't happen often.
"A 28 is very rare, almost as rare as a 29 because it hinges on the colour of the face card that comes up – it needs to be a jack, it needs to be the same suit as the card that's cut."
Lale said she was thoroughly enjoying her 55-Plus Games experience.
"I'm having a lot of fun here," she said. "I must really say I like the atmosphere, and I like the people, and I like the playing. It's great."
