How are pairs scored when showing a cribbage hand?

In the game of cribbage, pairs are scored during the "showing" phase by identifying every possible combination of two cards of the same rank within the hand and the starter card. Each pair is worth two points.1

It is important to note that every possible different grouping of cards in the hand, including the starter, counts separately. For example, if you hold three cards of the same rank (often referred to as a "pair royal"), you are essentially holding three distinct pairs (A-B, A-C, and B-C), resulting in a total of six points for that combination. Similarly, four cards of the same rank (a "double pair royal") contain six distinct pairs, scoring a total of 12 points.21