Rules of Rummy

Rummy is a card game originally from the United States. Today, it is well known in Europe for its attractive combination of luck and skill.

Aim of the game

The main objective is to get rid of all the cards in the hand. To achieve this, players must form sequences of the same suit or groups of three or more cards of the same value. It is also possible to add cards to the combinations on the table, whether they are your own or made by other players. It is crucial to accumulate at the end of the game as few points as possible.

Playing cards

It is played with the English deck of 52 cards.

Number of players

The game admits from two to four players.

Value of the cards

In case of not have formed combinations with your cards, the cards remaining in your hand have the following values:

• 2 to 10: the card value
• J: 10 points
• Q: 10 points
• K: 10 points
• Ace: 15 points

Distribution of the cards

For 2 players, 10 cards are dealt to each. For 3 and 4 players 7 cards are dealt to each. After dealing, one card is placed face up. The rest of the cards are left in the deck face down to draw.

At the beginning of the game, players agree on who´s the “hand”, i.e. the player who is first to move. In the next round (if there would be another round) the player located to the left of the current "hand" will start.

Game Modes

1. Express

This mode is used for quick games, in which only one round is played and the player who manages to close before the others wins.

1. Game for Points

In this mode players are eliminated as soon as they reach the set score. The last player remaining in the game is the winner of the game.

Gameplay

When starting, each player must draw one card from the deck or from the discard pile. Then the player can place their combinations on the table, either sequences or groups of 3 or 4 cards of the same value. To end their turn, the player must discard a card from their hand, placing it face up, and then the turn passes to the player to the left (clockwise).

If the cards in the deck are exhausted, the cards in the discard pile are shuffled and a new deck to draw is formed.

Rummy

A player makes a Rummy when they place all their cards on the table in a single turn, as long as they have not made any previous moves. This action doubles the score of the other players.

For example, a player who draws and discards for several turns without putting any combinations on the table still has a chance to achieve a Rummy.

Closed Game

The game is considered closed when it is no longer possible to make new combinations or add cards to the existing ones. In this case, each player adds the corresponding points of the cards they still have.

If you are playing in express mode or if all players exceed the points limit simultaneously in the other mode, the player with the fewest points wins.

In case of a draw, the player who has closed is the winner; or if there´s still a draw, the winner will be ultimately the "hand".

Re-engage

When a player is eliminated for exceeding the points limit, they can rejoin the game again by making a re-engage, which consists of adding half of the initial bet to the pot. The player who re-engages does so with the same points as the player who has the most points at that moment.

Organize a Rummy session with your friends and family to enjoy a game full of unexpected twists and competition. May the best win!