How To Play Rummy

Rummy, one of the world’s best-loved card games, originated centuries ago. Its earliest ancestors are Khanhoo and Mahjong. Rummy, as we know it today, developed in Mexico in the mid 19 th century in the form of a card game, called Conquain. Since then, it has travelled the globe, and the modern-day rummy was born and its current rules were created during the last century.

Today, rummy is one of the most-played online card games. It is challenging enough to keep the mind busy with creating newer strategies to defeat opponents. Online rummy also offers the opportunity to make a lot of money in your free time. So, do you wish to earn a little extra money and have a wonderful time doing so? We suggest you take up online rummy.

If you are not familiar with rummy, let us explain the rules so that you can start playing and winning.

Understanding the rummy deck and cards

Just like all card games, rummy (both offline and online) is played with decks of cards. Each deck in rummy contains 52 playing cards (52 playing cards + 1 printed joker/ per deck).

The 52 cards have ranks and suits. What are the ranks? These are numbers printed on the cards that give the cards a value. The 52 cards are ranked like this-

Ace, Jack, Queen and King, each has a value of 10. The other cards are valued at the number that’s printed on them. Now come the suits. The 52 cards are divided into 4 suits-

There will be 13 cards (of all the ranks) in each suit. In rummy, there is an extra card called the printed joker.

There are 2 types of the joker cards - printed joker and cut joker.

Once the players are dealt their cards, the remaining cards are placed face-down. This is the closed deck. The topmost card is picked up and set down face-up forming the open deck or discard deck. This face-up card is the cut joker. All the cards of the same rank from all 4 suits also become cut jokers.

What is the significance of jokers? In rummy, jokers are very very valuable because they can be used to take the place of any card that is missing when you form valid sets and sequences. Now, let us understand what sequences and sets are.

What are sequences and sets?

The only way to win a round of rummy is to arrange cards that are dealt to a player into valid sequences and sets during game-play. Upon declaration, meld all the cards to claim the win.

A sequence consists of 3 or more consecutive cards from a suit. An example of a sequence will be –

Sequences are of two types. A pure sequence has to be crafted with no jokers. But, you can use a joker to substitute any card that you don’t have to form an impure sequence.

A set can be created with 3 or 4 cards of the same value but from different suits only. An example of a set will be –

Rummy has specific rules on how many sets and sequences you need to win. For example, in 13-card rummy, you need at least 1 pure sequence with a supported impure sequence. You have the freedom to arrange the rest of your cards into any combination of sets and sequences.

Basic rules of rummy

Rummy is usually played with 2 decks and from 2 to 6 players max on a table. Each player will be dealt a specific number of cards based on the type of rummy being played. For example, in 13-card rummy, each player has 13 cards;

With every turn, the player has to draw a card followed by discarding a card into the discard pile.

The first person to arrange all the cards following the rules wins presses the ‘Declare’ button. The winner’s hand is displayed to all the other players.

If the declaration is wrong, meaning if you have invalid sets or sequences, you will be disqualified and penalized. For example, in 13-card rummy, this will mean a full penalty of 80 points.

Dropping from the game

You can opt to leave the rummy table at the beginning of the game or when it is ongoing. However this decision will lead to a small penalty. For example, in 13-card rummy, you are penalized with 20 points (if dropped at the beginning) and 40 points (if dropped in the middle of the game).

With every turn, the player has to draw a card followed by discarding a card into the discard pile.

Quick tips to help you win rummy games

Avoid as much as possible drawing a card from the discard pile as that will give away your game-plan to seasoned players.
Arrange your high-value cards with your jokers. This way, even if you don’t win, you will have unmatched low-value cards and hence a low score resulting in lesser points penalty.
Unless you have jokers or you can’t arrange your high-value cards, discard them soon.
Keep your matched cards separate from your unmatched cards to avoid confusion and wasting valuable time.

Rummy is a fascinating card game and can be played by anyone. If you want to find an engaging way to spend your free time and make some money, download a rummy app now and start playing !

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