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How to Play Rummy

The game of rummy is played with multiple decks of cards. To win the rummy game, a player must make a valid declaration by drawing and discarding cards from the two piles given on the table.

One pile is a closed deck, where a player is unable to see the card that he or she is picking, while the other is an open deck that is formed by the cards discarded by the rummy players. To win in a rummy online game, the players have to group cards in valid sequences and sets.

Rummy Rules

Rummy rules are very simple. Usually, it is played with 2 decks of cards and each player gets 13 cards each at the start.

On their turn, players draw 1 card from the open or closed deck, and discard 1 card from their group of cards. The open deck is a pile of discarded cards while the closed deck contains cards that have not been dealt.

Objective of Rummy

The primary objective of a game of rummy is to make a valid declaration. A valid declaration of the cards can be made by arranging all the 13 cards in an appropriate order.

Important: All the cards are arranged in a combination of sequences and(or) sets that include at least two sequences with one being a pure sequence.

The winner is the one who makes a valid declaration first. Other players accumulate points between 2 to 80 (based on the non-grouped cards).

Let’s understa​n​d what are sequences

A group of 3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit is known as a sequence. There are two types of sequences, pure and impure:

Pure sequence

A pure sequence is a group of 3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit. You can use a maximum of 10 cards to make a pure sequence.

Impure sequence

An impure sequence is a group of 3 or more cards where a printed joker or wild joker is used for completing the sequence.

What is a Set in Rummy?

A set is a group of 3 or 4 cards of the same value but of different suits.

What After Creating Sequences and Sets?

You DECLARE. But be careful, it needs to be a valid declaration.

More about “Valid Declaration”

To make a valid declaration, your group of cards must have at least 2 sequences, one of which needs to be a pure sequence. That’s it. It doesn’t matter if you arrange the rest of the cards in sequences or sets.

After arranging the cards appropriately, you can discard the last unwanted card (often called the 14th card) in the ‘show here’ slot to declare.

If it’s not a Valid Declaration, then what happens?

Invalid declaration. This is something even the best players fear. Here are a few common mistakes that lead to an invalid declaration:

When you make an invalid declaration, you accumulate “full points”. For eg. if it’s a Points game, you get 80 points.

This was the basics of rummy. Now, let’s deep dive into other important aspects of this beautiful game.

Jokers in Rummy

One of the most important cards in a game of rummy, Jokers can fit in any​where. They help you create impure sequences, and sets. A joker can be used as a substitute to any card. There are two types of jokers in a game of rummy - a printed joker - a card on which “Joker​” is clearly mentioned, and a wildcard joker.

What is a Wildcard Joker?

At the start of each deal, a card is picked randomly as the wildcard joker. This card is kept in an open position at the bottom of the closed deck. For eg. if 5 of hearts is selected to be the wildcard joker, then 5 of all suits will be considered jokers. A wildcard joker can also be used to form a pure sequence if it fits the pure sequence criteria.

What is a Printed Joker?

A card on which it says “Joker” is a printed joker. A deck of cards has 2 printed jokers. In rummy, you can use it to create impure sequences, and sets.Note: If the printed joker card is selected as a wildcard joker, then all Aces are jokers.

How does Scoring in Rummy Work?

As stated before, in a game of rummy, points are attributed to a negative value, where the player who declares (validly) first gets zero points, while the other players get points based on the cards that do not form a valid combination. In case your opponent does not have a pure sequence, the value of all the cards is counted, regardless of the fact that all cards are arranged in impure sequences or sets.

Each numbered card (2,3,4…10) carries the same points as its corresponding number. All the face cards (K,Q,J) and Ace, carry 10 points each.

What is “Drop” in Rummy?

“Drop” can be used to minimise losses. It is a strategic move when you don’t feel confident about your group of cards.

First drop: You drop without playing a single turn. Based on the format you’re playing, you accumulate certain points. For eg. in Points rummy, you will accumulate 20 points, and in Pool 61, you will accumulate 15 points.

Middle drop: You drop after playing at least 1 turn. Here, the points accumulation is double than that of the first drop.

Different Types of Rummy Game

Points Rummy

Played between 2-6 players with 2 decks of cards. Points rummy is one of the fastest variants of the game.

How to Play Points Rummy?

Similar to any other format, the objective is to make a valid declaration before your opponent does.

What is “Point Value”? What is the Difference between 0.5 Point and 1 Point?

It is the rupee value of a point on the table. Eg. if the point value is 0.5, it means each point is worth ₹0.5. You can play from 0.01 Point to 500 Point game on RummyCouncil.

What is “Drop” in Points Rummy?

When you are not confident on your group of cards, you can drop to minimise your losses. There’s a penalty when you do, so make sure you make a calculated decision.

What is “Buy-In” in Points Rummy?

It is the minimum amount you require to participate in a Points game. It depends on the Point value of the game you want to play. For eg. you are playing 1 Point game, then:

1 point = ₹1
80 x 1 rupee = ₹80
80 is the maximum points you can lose if your opponent declares first. Therefore, the buy-in will be ₹80.

How is the Winning Amount Calculated in Points Rummy?

It depends on how many points your opponent has when you make a valid declaration. Here’s a simple formula to calculate your winnings:

Winning amount = Sum of the points of all the losing players X Value of each point in rupees - RummyCouncils commission

For eg. if your opponent has 50 points when you declare and you are playing a 1 point game.

Winnings = 50 X ₹1 - RummyCouncil’s commission

Deals Rummy

Played with 2-6 players, Deals rummy has multiple variations within itself. It varies from 2-player 1-deal to 6-player 3-deals.

How to Play Deals Rummy?

The 2-player 1-deal variation is pretty simple. The winner of the deal wins the game and takes the winning amount. For others, you get a certain number of chips at the start of the game. When you make a valid declaration, all the points that your opponents have accumulated, you will get them as chips. At the end of the game, the player who has maximum chips is the winner.

What is “Drop” in Deals rummy?

When you are not confide​nt on your group of cards, you can drop to minimise your losses. There’s a penalty when you do, so make sure you make a calculated decision.

What is “Buy-In” in Deals Rummy?

Each Deals game has a pre-decided fee which you need to pay to play it. This fee is known as the buy-in amount.

How are the Winnings Calculated in Deals Rummy?

Final winnings in a Deals game depends on the buy-in amount. Here’s a simple formula to calculate your winnings:

Buy-in amount x number of players - RummyCouncil’s commision

For eg. if the buy-in amount is 50, and the number of players are 6, your winnings will be:
₹50 x 6 - RummyCouncil’s commision

Pool Rummy

Strategy rules in Pool rummy. Probably the best game to understand the usefulness and the art of dropping from a deal. Played between 2-6 players, like Deals rummy, this has a few variations in itself.

What is “Drop” in Pool Rummy?

When you are not confident on your group of cards, you can drop to minimise your losses. You can either drop before a single turn (first drop) or drop after a turn (middle drop). There’s a penalty when you do, so make sure you make a calculated decision.

What is “Buy-In” in Pool Rummy?

Each Pool game has a pre-decided fee which you need to pay to play it. This fee is known as the buy-in amount.

How to Play Pool Rummy?

There are 3 different variations of Pool - Pool 61, Pool 101, Pool 201. To explain how it’s played, let’s take the example of Pool 61. Played between 2-6 players, this game involves elimination of players if they accumulate greater than or equal to 61 points after a deal ends. Like any other rummy game, the aim is to declare before your opponent does. Players keep playing one deal after another until only 1 player remains. The points accumulation depends on the ungrouped cards one has when the opponent declares.

How can a Player Rejoin in the Pool Variant of Rummy?

In the Pool Rummy variant, eliminated players are allowed to rejoin the table if they meet the following conditions:

What is the Point Calculation if a Player Drops from the Game?

In the Pool Rummy variant, the points imposed on players for dropping are different from the usual drop points. Moreover, they are different from the three Pool Rummy variants that one can play on RummyCouncil.

Point to remember: Every deal is settled when a player wins the deal or when each player makes 25 moves in the current deal, whichever is earlier.