Creston native wins state fair cribbage tournament

Dr. Steve Tilley, whose friends call him Buck, has played cribbage at the Iowa State Fair for 25 years. In fact, he’s been playing cribbage for longer than most people have been alive, starting when he was just seven years old and still playing into his 80s.

This year at the state fair, Tilley would play an astounding set of eight matches to take first place and a blue ribbon in the cribbage tournament. To him, it’s just another day at the fair with some strong bragging rights to take home and gloat.

“I’m going to hang [the ribbon] at the deer shack where I play a lot of cribbage,” Tilley said. “I’m going to have a nice display. Them guys, I’ll tell them I was the fan favorite, really pour it on.”

After his retirement from dentistry following 50 years in the profession, Tilley has been enjoying the free time. Part of it has been indulging in cribbage, using it as a pastime to enjoy with family and reunited friends who remember how he got the name Buck.

When his son invited Tilley to compete at the Iowa State Fair 25 years ago, Tilley would begin a tradition which would place him as high as eighth before finally cracking the top prize this year.

Yet, the cribbage tournament is just one stop at the state fair for Tilley. Remembering how he used to camp at the fairgrounds with his family, Tilley views the state fair more for family and friends than a competition.

Jokes and the casual energy of cribbage is harnessed by Tilley. The status of “fan favorite” is one he attaches to himself, knowing it teases his friends. With permanent paint on his award, Tilley has immortalized himself, much to the chagrin of his buddies.

Reminiscing about his time at the state fair, Tilley recalled how he once sat down for a match and jokingly said he was the state champion to his opponent.

“He said, ‘this’ll be a good match, I was champion last year!’” Tilley said. “I was just fibbing.”

On Saturday, Aug. 16, the day before the cribbage tournament, Tilley practiced with his wife. A few games later, all of them with Tilley losing, he went to bed with an optimistic view.

“Tomorrow, I felt like I could really win this as long as I stop giving good cards away in my crib,” Tilley said. “That’s how I played it all the way... You got to have good cards and know how to play them right too.”

To win the competition, Tilley won all eight of his matches and even skunked his opponents (win by 31-60 points, granting extra points in scoring) three times. For a first-place score, it’s especially notable as a strong performance. Tilley said across all eight games, he won without ever seeing the perfect hand of three fives and a jack with a five as the cut card.

Tilley doesn’t sweat being declared the best out of 253 participants, with some traveling from as far as Missouri. Even when competing for the top spot, Tilley will still help new players with scoring, including his final match where a younger, 15-year-old competitor almost missed a few points against him.

“She was close to beating me. But, she’s missing points so I’m helping her,” Tilley said. “You don’t have to do that... it comes down to the very end.”

Tilley recommends those of a younger generation practice cribbage themselves, learning math skills and pattern recognition. He said the game could be valuable in math classrooms for how scoring and harnessing chance can put a good player ahead.

With a casual attitude and the chance to tease his friends when returning to Creston, Tilley still said he’s proud of the ribbon he’s received and the years in the making. He’s already looking for new chances to play cribbage, planning to attend Hopeville Rural Music Reunion this Sunday, Sept. 7 for a chance at more games.