How to Play Rummy

Definition

Rummy is a genre of card games based around matching cards to form setsinvolving a perfect blend of strategy and chance.

The goal of the basic Rummy card game is to build up a hand of sets and combinationsand decide when to end the gamewhile also minimizing the chances of losing. The game and its complexity may seem complicatedbut it is deceptively so.

How to Play Rummy?

Rummy is designed for 2 or more playersand only requires the standard Anglo-American 52-card deck.

Despite the large variety of Rummy gamessuch as the popular Gin Rummy and Canastaall the way to the Mexican game of Conquianthe rulesand ideas follow a similar template. This guide will give an overall impression of how Rummy plays.

Decks

The deck used varies based on player count and deck type. For examplethe traditional Conquian uses the Spanish 40-card deckwith 2 decks used in the case of 4-players; on the other handbasic Rummy uses the standard 52-card deck.

Regardlessthe different decks can be adaptedas traditional European decks have similar rulesets to the modern Anglo-American deck. To get the Spanish deckthe 89and 10 cards are removed from the standard deck.

Dealing

Much like other card gamesthe dealer is determined by card-splittingand the selected player shuffles the deck. Each player is dealt cards based on the rules of the game. The remaining cards are then set asideforming the draw pile or stock.

If the Rummy game involves discarding to a discard pilethe top card of the stock is placed face-upforming the discard pile.

Melds

The goal when playing Rummy games is to form a hand of meldsaiming to win by removing as many unmatched cardssometimes known as deadwoodas possible.

The allowed melds are sets and sequences.

• Sets consist of cards of the same rank or valuebut from different suits.
• Sequences are straightsor consecutive cards from the same suit.

Examples of the legal melds are shown below:

A straight of 5 cards (same suit):
7♠ 8♠ 9♠ 10♠ J♠

A set of 4 cards:
2♠ 2♦ 2♣ 2♥

If wild cards or Jokers are included in the deckthey can be used to substitute any card in a combination.

Most variations of the traditional Rummy card game have a minimum number of cards per meldnormally 3. In some variations there are also maximum number limitswith numbers exceeding 5 being commonly disallowed.

How to Win Rummy?

Winning is normally based on points. For examplein Oklahoma Ginthe first person to reach a predetermined number of pointsgathered across multiple roundswill win.

Turns

The dealer begins the round. Each player draws 1 card at the start of their turnand generally has the option to draw from the stock or the last revealed card on the discard pile. To end their turna player discards a card of their choosing. Turn order is generally in anticlockwise orderthough this can differ in non-European Rummy games.

The goal of the game is to improve one’s hand by careful discarding.

Calling Rummy

Calling Rummy happens in the rare case where the player completes a full hand consisting of only melds. This can only be done with a hand consisting of only melds. This can be done once a draw completes the melds. By discarding one excess cardplayers are ‘floating’ until the game ends (if the game variant does not allow premature endings).

Showing/Going Out

Showing ends a roundand can be done at any point provided certain conditions are achieved. Normallythe essential prerequisite is the need for at least 2 melds in hand. In some gamesplayers can Show at any timeeven if there are still unmatched cards.

Certain variations of the classic Rummy game also require a player to Show individual melds as they are completedrevealing them on the board. Showing is also followed by the process of laying off.

Laying Off

Laying off allows other players to play cards into a different player’s shown melds. Regardless of whether the showing is done at the end or during the round. An example of laying off is shown in the Hands section of the guide.

In point-based gameslaying off allows the players to offset the point gainand in some cases steal the victory with the right cards in hand.

In Gin Rummysince unmatched cards are still in hand during the Showthe other players can offload their unmatched cards to the melds of the hands of the showing player.

In 500 Rumplayers are allowed to play their cards to reveal melds of other players if they desireallowing players to replace weak cards if necessary.

Rummy Rules

Rummyregardless of variationwill follow a similar set of rules.

Showing

These are all terms describing the process of ending a round. Since certain variations of Rummy allow players to end the round at any pointthere are certain rules present to prevent players from prematurely ending the gamemaking it completely chance-based.

In games allowing the ending call even without full hand meldsplayers are required to have a minimum of 2 melds in handsas well as a total unmatched card value (known as deadwood value) of less than 10. This is also necessary since these games are scored based on the difference in deadwood values.

In games only allowing the end call with a completed handplayers will generally be required to reveal their melds in the preceding turngiving other players the opportunity to lay off cards.

Discarding

Rummy discard rules require players to cards at the end of their turnsensuring that they always have the same number of cards outside of their turns. Discarded cards in the pile can be drawn by different players if it is at the top. Players can play cards into the revealed melds of the forfeit player.

Melding

Melds in Rummy variations have a minimum of 3 cardsand a maximum value that differs from variation to variation.

Declaring Rummy

This is a rare occasion where a player manages to get a full hand consisting of only melds. In some variationsplayers can only call Rummy when they have not shown any other melds previously.

Rules Summarized

In conclusionthe general Rummy rules are:

• Dealer is determined via deck splitting.
• Each player is dealt a number of cards as required by the game.
• The remaining cards form the stockand the first card is revealedforming the discard pile.
• Each player takes their turn by drawing a card from the stock or discard pileand discarding a card at the end of their turn.
• Players can steal discardsif allowed by the game.
• Once a player is satisfied with his/her handthey can end the game by showing their hand. (This differs from game to game).
• Scoring is doneand the winner becomes the dealer of the next round.
• The first player to achieve the winning conditions will become the victor.

Scoring and Points

Rummy scoring is based on the values of unmatched cards. In generalthis is based on the difference in value. The values of each card rank are shown below:

• 2 – 10: Face Value
• 10 – K: 10 points
• Ace: 1 point
• Joker: 20 points (when included)

In games allowing the round to end at any timethe score is awarded to the winning player with the lowest unmatched card sum based on the differences with the other players. Herethe responding players can have the chance to steal the win by Laying Off.

Most game types will end once a player reaches the point threshold.

Hands Examples

Rummy hands are focused on ending the game with a satisfactory handwhichdepending on game ruleswill either consist entirelyor mostly of melds. Melds include 3 or more cardsand include runs and sets. Examples are shown below:

A straight of 5 cards:
7♠ 8♠ 9♠ 10♠ J♠

A set of 4 cards:
2♠ 2♦ 2♣ 2♥

Illegal set of 2 cards (below the minimum of 3 cards per meld):
7♦ 7♣

Incomplete Hand and Laying Off

An example hand from the game of Gin Rummy and the layoff phase is shown below. Player 1 calls for the round end.

Player 1 clearly wins via scorebut player 2 can lay off their J♥ and 7♥ to the first meld in Player 1’s hand. This results in:

It can be observed that Player 2 now has less deadwood than Player 1. Player 2 is awarded the difference of 4 points.

Complete Hand and Laying Off

In games like Conquian where a complete hand is required to end a roundthe scores are still counted similarly. In this casePlayer 1 has a complete hand and calls for the round to end.

In this casePlayer 2 can lay off their 4♥ and 7♦ cardsresulting in a reduced score for Player 1.

HencePlayer 1 is awarded 4 points for their victory.

Strategy Tips

• The keys to Rummy strategy are to know when to end the roundespecially in those variations allowing incomplete hands.
• Discard carefully. A discarded card can be used by another player to complete meldswhereas if it is still in handit can be used to complete melds by laying off.
• Discard pile draws are arguably bettersince you know for certain what you can get.
• You do not need to end the round immediately when you can. Improving your hand can help prevent lay offs and stolen wins.
• Counting cards is important. While this skill is difficultit can help in winning all forms of card games.
• Sets are easier to form than runs. Discard accordingly.

Variations

500 Rummy

The American variation of Rummythis card game is unique as discards can only be taken to form meldswhich are subsequently revealed and set aside. This plays somewhat similarly to Mahjong.

Canasta

A classic variation on 500 Rummyplayers attempt to make sets using seven cards. This game is played in partnerships of 2.

Conquian

The originator of the Rummy play. Conquian is of Mexican origin and uses the 40-card deck. Players use cards from other melds to form newer melds.

Contract Rummy

Sometimes known as Combinationthis game goes until a player “goes out”which is when a player can discard the final card in their hand. This adds a layer of complexityas players cannot discard haphazardly.

Gin Rummy

The most popular Rummy variation. Designed for 2 playerseach player draws and discards until they have a satisfactory handwhere they then end the round by calling for an end.

Liverpool Rummy

A variation of Rummy similar to Contract Rummywith added rules
that allow a player to affect the scoring by calling “Liverpool”.

Shanghai Rummy

Sometimes known as California Rummyand characterized by the special action of “buying”. These are the option of stealing the discard out of order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you play Rummy online for free against the computer?

Yesthere are many Rummy game simulators available onlineand you don’t need to play with real players if you do not want to.

When can you call Rummy?

Rummy can be called when a player has not shown any melds previously.

What is floating in Rummy?

When a player has melded all cardsand they do not have a discard to makethey floatwhich means they draw from the stock and immediately discard the same card.

What happens in Rummy when the deck runs out?

When the deck runs outdepending on the game variationthe round is deemed void or the player with the most melds made will win.

How to count cards in Rummy?

Counting cards can be done using estimation and memory. To practiceonce a card has been revealedmark it down on a piece of paper.

Do you have to discard to go out in Rummy?

Yesonce you’ve gone out. You either end the round or floatdepending on the game mode.

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