Rummy Card Game Rules

Rummy is a card game that is played with two decks of cards with total of two Jokers. To win the rummy game a player must make a valid declaration by picking and discarding cards from the two piles given. One pile is a closed deck, where a player is unable to see the card that he is picking, while the other is an open deck that is formed by the cards discarded by the players. To win at rummy card game, the players have to group cards in valid sequences and sets.

In rummy, the cards in each suit rank low to high starting with Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen and King. Ace, Jack, Queen and King each has 10 points. The remaining cards have value equal to their face value. For example, 5 cards will have 5 points and so on.

The Objective Of Rummy

The objective of rummy card game is to arrange the 13 cards in valid sets and sequences. To win the game you need to make minimum 2 sequences, out of which one needs to be pure sequence and rest can be any valid sequence or sets. Without a pure sequence you cannot make a valid rummy declaration. This is one of the most important rummy rules.

How to Form Sequences?

How to Play 500 Rummy: 500 Rummy is a fun game for all ages! The objective of the game is to lay down number sets in order to get the most points by the end of each round and to get rid of all your cards. It is also known as Indian Rummy and is believed to be an extension of Gin Rummy and Rummy 500. It is a game of 2 to 6 players in which each player is dealt 13 cards. Players have to meld the cards into valid sequences and/or sets by picking and discarding cards. How to Start Playing Gin Rummy. Number of players: Two (but there is a variation on the game for three players) Card deck: Standard 52-card deck (put aside any jokers, you won't need them for the game) Card values: Face cards, such as jacks, queens, and kings are 10 points each, aces are only one point each, and numbered cards are face value (a 6 of spades is six points, for example). Indian Rummy Rules. Indian Rummy Rules are fairly simple to understand. The objective of both variants of Indian Rummy is to arrange the cards in a proper sequence and sets in order to make a valid declaration. 21 Card Rummy is played with three decks. To make a valid declaration you need three pure sequences with other cards. Rummy games first appeared in the early twentieth century, and are probably derived from the Mexican game Conquian. This page describes basic rummy, also known in the card game literature as Straight Rummy.For other types of rummy, and related games, see the rummy index page.Note that many people use the name Rummy to refer to the game called 500 Rummy on this site.

In rummy, a sequence is a group of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. There are two types of sequences that are formed; a pure sequence and an impure sequence. To win the game of rummy you need at least one pure sequence in your rummy hand.

Pure Sequence

A pure sequence is a group of three or more cards of the same suit, placed in consecutive order. To form a pure sequence in rummy card game, a player cannot use any Joker or wild card.

Here are a few examples of pure sequence.

1. 5♥ 6♥ 7♥ (Pure sequence with three cards and there is no Joker or wild card used)
2. 3♠ 4♠ 5♠ 6♠ (Pure sequence with four cards. There is no use of Joker or wild cards here.)

Impure Sequence

An impure sequence is a group of three or more cards of the same suit with one or more Joker card used.

Here are some examples to show how an impure sequence is formed.

1. 6♦ 7♦ Q♠ 9♦ (Here Q♠ has been used as a wild Joker replacing 8♦ to form an impure sequence.)
2. 5♠ Q♥ 7♠ 8♠ PJ (Impure sequence with Q♥ as wild joker that is replacing 6♠ and the Printed Joker is replacing 9♠.)

How to Form Sets?

A set is a group of three or more cards of the same value but of different suits. When you are forming sets, you can use wild card and Jokers.

Examples of sets

1. A♥ A♣ A♦ (In this set, all the Ace are of different suits, make a valid set.)
2. 8♦ 8♣ 8♠ 8♥ (Rummy set is formed with four 8 cards of different suits.)
3. 9♦ Q♠ 9♠ 9♥ (Here Q♠ has been used as wild joker replacing 9♣ to make set.)
4. 5♦ 5♣ 5♠ PJ (Printed joker replacing 5♥ to make set.)
5. 5♦ 5♣ Q♠ PJ (Here Q♠ has been used as wild joker replacing 5♠ & Printed joker replacing 5♥ to make set.)
6. 5♦ 5♣ PJ Q♥ Q♠ (This is a set of 5 cards with Printed joker & Q♥ as wild joker replacing 5♠ 5♥ and one more wild joker Q♠ to complete 13 cards grouping.)

Typical Example: 2♥ 3♥ 4♥ 5♥ 5♣ 6♣ 7♣ 8♣ 5♦ 5♣ PJ Q♥ Q♠ (Set of 5 cards is made to complete the grouping of 13 cards and make a valid declaration)

Note: The set is formed with same card of different suits. However, you can’t use two or more cards of the same suit. This is taken as an invalid declaration. Also, note that a set can have more than four cards. So, if you have a set of four cards and you are using an additional Joker, then in total it becomes a 5 cards group and still be a valid set. At no given time, the hand can have more than 13 cards.

Examples of invalid set

1. Q♥ Q♥ Q♦ (There are two Qs of the same suit ♥ making it an invalid set.)
2. 7♠ 7♥ 7♦ 7♠ Q♥ (It has two 7 spades of the same suit. The wild card Q♥ as the fifth card is valid but having two 7♠ is making it invalid.)

How To Play Rummy Card Game?

Follow this simple rummy rules and instructions to know how to play the game from start to end:

1. Rummy card game is played between 2 to 6 players with 2 decks of cards. Each player is dealt with 13 cards and a random card is selected as wild joker or joker card of the game.
2. The player has to draw and discard cards to form valid sets and sequences of the 13 cards in hand where player can also use wild joker or printed joker of the deck to make impure sequence and sets.
3. As per indian rummy rules, once a player arranged 13 cards in valid 2 sequences including 1 pure sequence and more groups (sequences or sets), one can make a declaration and win the game.

Quick Tips To Win The Rummy Card Game

Just as it’s important to know the rummy rules, it is also necessary to play carefully and with focus. Here are quick tips to win the rummy game and stay a step ahead of your competitors.

• Form the pure sequence at the very beginning of the game. Without a pure sequence, a player cannot make a declaration.
• Discard cards with high points like Ace, Jack, Queen and King. Replace these cards with Joker or Wild Cards. It reduces the point load, in case you lose the game.
• As much as possible, avoid picking from the discard pile. It gives away what hand you are trying to form.
• Look out for smart cards. For example, a 7 of any suit can work with 5 and 6 of the same suit and also 8 and 9 of the same suit.
• Jokers play an important role in rummy. Try using them to replace high value cards. Remember, Joker and wild cards cannot be used to form pure sequence.
• When you are ready to make a declaration, check and recheck your cards and then press the button. An invalid declaration can turn even a winning game into a complete loss.

Common Terms Used In Rummy Rules

Here are some common terms of Indian Rummy that every player needs to know before he starts playing.

What is a Rummy Table?

It is the table where the game of rummy is played. Every rummy table can sit two to six players for each game.

What is Joker and Wild Cards?

In each rummy deck there is a Printed Joker and there is a Wild Card that is selected at random at the beginning of the game. The role of both these types of card is the same. Jokers are used to form sets and impure sequences. A Joker card can replace the desired number when forming the groups. This is a valid formation in a rummy game.

What is Draw and Discard?

In all Rummy games, each player is dealt 13 cards. Additionally, there are 2 stacks from which each player can select cards, thereby drawing a card. Once a player draws a card, he has to get rid of one card - this is called discarding.

What is Sorting of Cards?

Sorting of cards are done at the beginning of the game. This is done to arrange your cards to help you form your sets and sequences reducing the probability of mixing the cards. Once, the cards are displayed, you can hit the Sort button and start playing.

What is a Drop?

When a player decides to leave the game table at the start or middle of the rummy game, it is a drop. The act is withdrawing from the game as a personal decision. The first drop=20 points; middle drop= 40 points and last drop and maximum point loss is 80 points.

In case of Pool rummy, if a player drops in 101 pool, the score is 20. In case, it is 201 pool rummy, the drop score is 25. In a game, where it is best of 2 and best of 3 is played, then a drop is not allowed.

What are Cash Tournaments?

Cash tournaments are those that are played for Real Cash and have Real Cash Prizes (in INR). These tournaments run 24x7 and are conducted in a knock-out style. To play any of the cash games, the player has to add Cash to its RummyCircle account.

How do I Join a Tournament?

Go to 'Tournaments' in the top navigation panel. Now, select the type of Tournament you wish to play. In the corresponding Tournament List, click on any of the Open tournaments that you wish to join. Finally, click on the blinking Join This Tournament button under Tournament Details.

What is an Invalid Declaration?

An invalid declaration happens in rummy card game when the player presses the Declaration button, but the cards are not in valid sequences and sets. Therefore, the player will lose the game and the competitor will automatically be declared as the winner.

Here are few examples of common invalid declarations players make while playing rummy:

• Wrong Declaration with Invalid Sets

  Example 1: 10♠ 10♠ 10♦ 10♣ Q♥

  A set can have 3 cards or more, however a set needs to be formed with cards of the same value and different suits. In this situation, the Wild Joker (Queen of Hearts) card was added and that became the fifth card, which is valid as per rules, however the group consist of 2 cards of the same suit making it a wrong declaration.

  Example 2: K♥ K♥ K♦

  In this set, there are 3 cards which is well within the minimum limit. Also, a set consists of cards of the same face value but has to be of different suits. The set cannot have more than one card of the same suit. In this example, the set consists of two cards of the same suit and that makes it a wrong declaration.

• Wrong Declaration with Invalid Sequences

  Example 1: 10♠ 10♥ 10♦ 10♣ 5♠ 5♥ 5♦ 6♠ 6♥ 6♣ 9♥ 9♦ Joker

  A valid declaration requires 2 sequences, out of which one needs to be pure sequence i.e. sequence without joker and the other can be pure or impure sequence i.e. sequence with or without joker. However, in the given example there is neither sequence made making it an invalid declaration.

  Example 2: K♥ K♠ K♦ 6♥ 7♥ Joker 9♠ 10♠ J♠ Joker 5♠ 5♥ 5♦

  A valid declaration must have 2 sequences, out of which one needs to be pure sequence i.e. sequence without joker and the other can be pure or impure sequence i.e. sequence with or without joker. This example shows that there are 2 sequences, but both are impure sequence i.e. sequence with joker and the pure sequence is not there. It is compulsory to have a pure sequence before you make a declaration.

  Example 3: Q♥ Q♠ Q♦ 6♥ 7♥ 8♥ 9♥ 5♠ 5♥ 5♦ 10♠ 10♥ 10♦

  Sequences are very important for a rummy card game and you need minimum 2 sequences, out of which one needs to be pure sequence and the other can be pure or impure sequence to win the game. In this example, there is a pure sequence, however the 2nd sequence is missing and hence it is an invalid declaration.

Useful Chart - How To Play & Rummy Guidelines For Valid Rummy Declaration:

Handy Directions to Follow While Declaring With 13 Cards:

Rummy Card Game Rules And How To Play

PURE SEQUENCE	IMPURE SEQUENCE	SET 1 & SET 2
COMPULSORY to make	NOT COMPULSORY (Can make to fulfill minimum 2 sequence requirement)	NOT COMPULSORY (Can make to complete 13 Cards valid grouping)
Made with 3 or More Cards	Made with 3 or More Cards	Made with 3 or 4 Cards without Joker. OR Made with 3, 4 or More Cards with Joker.
Cards of SAME SUIT in SEQUENTIAL ORDER	Cards of SAME SUIT in SEQUENTIAL ORDER with Wild Card Joker or Printed Joker	Cards of SAME VALUE & DIFFERENT SUIT (2 Cards of same color but different suit can be used Ex - 5♠ 5♥ 5♦).
CANNOT USE JOKER or WILD CARD	CAN USE JOKER or WILD CARD	CAN USE JOKER or WILD CARD

Combination Possible as per the Above Rules to Declare 13 Cards in Rummy:

1. There is one Pure Sequence of 4 cards
2. There is Impure Sequence of 3 cards where 8♣ is a wild joker
3. There is a “Set 1” of 3 cards
4. There is a “Set 2” of 3 cards having a “Printed Joker”

Download this handy PDF for 13 Card Game Rules: “Download PDF Now”

How The Points Are Calculated As Per Indian Rummy Rules?

Let us look how points calculation is done, when you are playing online rummy card game.

CARDS	VALUE
High value cards Ace, King, Queen, Jack	All carry 10 points each
Joker and Wild Cards	Zero points
Other cards	Have point value same as their face value
Example: 8 ♥, 9 ♥ 10 ♥	8 points, 9 points, 10 points

Losing Player Points

If the player doesn’t have 2 sequences including a pure sequence	Value of all cards is added, capped at 80 points
If the player has formed 2 sequences including pure sequence	Value of cards that are not in sequence are calculated
Wrong Declaration	80 points
First Drop	20 points
Middle Drop	40 points
3 Consecutive Misses	Considered as middle drop with 40 points loss
Leave Table	If player leaves table after picking from closed deck, it is considered middle drop. If the player hasn’t picked any card, it is taken as first drop.

Examples of Points Calculation With Winning Amount

Example: Table of 6 Players (Wild Joker Q♦)

Player	Hand Formed	Points Calculated
Player 1	2♥ 3♥ 4♥ 5♣ 6♣ Q♦ 8♦ 8♠ 5♣ 2♦ 2♣ K♠ Q♠	The player has 2 sequences 1 pure and 1 impure. So, only the points of unmatched cards will be counted = 45
Player 2	4♠ 4♥ 4♣ 4♦ 5♦ Q♦ 3♠ 7♠ 8♠ Q♦ K♦ 10♣ 9♣	The player has not formed 2 sequences, including the pure sequence. Hence, points of all cards will be calculated =68
Player 3	3♥ 4♥ 5♥ 5♣ 6♣ 7♣ Q♦ 8♦ 5♣ 2♦ 2♣ 2♥ K♠	The player has 2 sequences, 1 pure and 1 impure. It also has 1 set formed. The points will be calculated only for the ungrouped cards = 23
Player 4	A♥ 4♥ 5♥ 5♣ 6♣ 10♣ J♦ 8♦ 5♣ 2♦ 2♣ Q♥ K♠	First Drop with a loss of 20 points
Player 5	4♠ 4♥ 4♣ 4♦ 5♦ Q♦ A♠ 7♠ 8♠ Q♦ K♦ J♣ 9♣	3 consecutive misses= 40 points
Player 6	2♥ 3♥ 4♥ 5♣ 6♣ 7♣ Q♦ 5♦ 5♣ 5♥ 2♦ 2♣ 2♥	WINNER

How Are Your Winnings Calculated In Rummy Cash Games?

At the end of the day it is all about seeing that winning cash amount in your account. You also need to be very clear how you are getting the sum that is reflecting in your Dashboard. Let’s help you understand how these calculations are done to play rummy online for real money.

• Winning Calculation in Points Rummy?

  When you are playing points rummy cash games, it is based on a pre-decided rupee value. The winner of the game wins the entire cash amount lost by the other players at the end of the game. Here is how the calculation is done.

  Winning Cash = (Sum of all points of opponents) X (Rupee value of the point) - RummyCircle Fee

  Here is an example that will help us understand this better:

  Example:

  Total of 6 players playing points rummy for cash on Rs. 860 table. Each point has a pre-decided value of Rs. 4. There will be 1 player who will be the winner and remaining 5 will lose the game. The losing points of the remaining 5 players would be 45, 78, 23, 20, 40 respectively. The winnings will be calculated as:

  4x (45+78+23+20+40) = Rs. 824

  This amount, after the deduction of RummyCircle fee will reflect in the player’s account.

• Winnings Calculation in Pool Rummy?

  The winning for pools rummy is calculated as per the given calculation:
  Winnings = (Entry Fee) X (Number of Players) - RummyCircle fees

  Example:

  Players pay the fixed entry fee for the tournament, which is used to form the prize pool. If 5 players join a pool rummy with Rs. 50 as entry fee. The prize pool of the game will be Rs. 250.

  The winner will win Rs. 50 x 5 = Rs. 250

  This amount will be credited to the winner’s account after the deduction of the RummyCircle fees.

• Winnings Calculation in Deals Rummy?

  In deals rummy, the winner wins all the chips at the end of each deal. Here is how the winnings are calculated:

  Winnings =Sum of points of all opponents assuming each chip is equal to one point.

  Example:

  Let’s assume that there are 6 players on the table and the player 5 declares his hand. The other four players will lose with 10, 20, 30, 35 and 40 points respectively. The winner’s chips will be calculated as 10 + 20 + 30 + 35 + 40 =135 chips.

With all the above guide, get started to play rummy with right directions and win cash. RummyCircle gives you an option to make a rummy game download for hassle free, non-intrusive experience of online rummy. This app is available for both android users and IOS users. Also, you can enjoy the fun and entertainment packed game on mobile website.

Contact Our Support

RummyCircle support team is available round the clock 24x7 to give you the Best Rummy Experience^TM. Connect with our customer support team from your registered email ID at support@rummycircle.com and share your concern or issue. Our representative will get back to you with a solution shortly.

Rummy 500 is one of the most popular variations of Rummy. In fact, this is thegame that many people think of as regular, normal or standard Rummy. The biggestdifference from the actual Standard Rummy is that players may draw morethan just the top card from the discard pile if they wish, although they mustplay the the bottom card of the stack they draw.

Another difference is that scoring is based on what the player has melded orlaid off, not just the deadwood left in their hand at the end of a game. Thisfact places Rummy 500 into a slightly different category of games from StandardRummy, which we'll call Meld Scoring Games.

Setup

Players: Rummy 500 can be played by 2 to 8 players.

Cards: A standard deck of cards is used, with 52 playing cards and 2 jokers.If 5 or more players are playing then a second deck should be used, with 108cards total.

The Deal: The number of cards dealt depends on the number of players. Ifthere are 2 players then they get 13 cards each. If there are 3 or more playersthen players then deal 7 cards each. The remaining cards should be placed facedown on the table and will become the stock pile. The top card should be flippedand placed beside the stock pile, this will be the start of the discard pile.

Objective: The object of the game is to get rid of all your cards by formingmelds or laying off cards on preexisting melds. Points are scored from the cardsplayed by each player.

Game Play

The turn-by-turn game play in Rummy 500 is nearly the same as in Standard Rummy.The player starts by drawing either from the stock pile or the discard pile,optionally forms melds (a run or a set), optionally lays off cards ontoother melds, and then discards one card to the discard pile. Since there isso much similarity, only the additions or differences will be described here.Please read the description of Game Play in Standard Rummy if you’re not alreadyfamiliar with it.

Drawing multiple cards from the discard

The most obvious difference from Standard Rummy is that more than one card maybe drawn from the discard pile. To facilitate this, the discarded cards shouldbe stacked to the side so the previous discards are still partially visible. Ifa player is able to make a meld or lay off a card that is not on the top of thestack then the player may take that card and all the cards above it in thestack. The bottom card taken must be played on that turn, (unless the playertook only the top card). The player should then play that card as well as anyother melds or layoffs they are able to do, and then discard a single card likenormal.

It is very important to understand how to use the discard pile for youradvantage. Suppose that you have these cards in your hand:2-4-5-8-J-K-K and that the discard pile is as follows:

You want to take the 4 and 4 from the discard pileto go with your 4 to make a group. To get these cards, you musttake all the cards from the 4 onwards, leaving only the 6 in the discard pile. You can then meld the 4-4-4, andyou have the following cards left in your hand: 2-5-7-8-J-Q-K-K-A. You can then discard something you don't need such as the 2 and the discard pile is then:

If you had taken only the 7 you would have been allowed to keepit in your hand and not meld it. Since you took the cards from 4onward, you must meld the 4.

End of Hand

The hand can end in one of two ways. First, when a player disposes of all thecards in their hand via forming melds, laying off cards, or adding a final cardto the discard pile, then the hand is done. Note that it is not required toinclude adding a card to the discard pile when going out, all the remainingcards in a player’s hand may be played if they are all going to valid melds orlay offs.

The other way that a hand can end is if the stock pile is exhausted and thecurrent player does not want to draw any cards from the discard pile. If theplayer is able to use something in the discard pile then they take their turnlike normal and play continues on to the next player.

Once the game has ended in one of the ways described above then the hand is overand other players may not meld or lay off cards even if they have validcombinations in their hand. Calling “Rummy!” also not allowed.

Scoring

All players count the value of the cards they have melded, and subtract thevalue of the cards remaining in their hands. Each player’s score is added totheir ongoing score for the series of games being played. Games continue untilone or more players reach a score of 500 points or better. Note that it ispossible to have a negative score if the value in the hand is more than thevalue of cards melded. Also note that unplayed melds still must be counted.

Cards have the following values:

Card	Value
Ace, Joker	15
Face cards	10
Others	Face value

Optional Rules and Variations

1. Playing without jokers: Rummy 500 was originally played withoutwild cards, and it certainly can still be played that way now. It makes for aslightly more challenging game, which some people prefer.
2. 5/10/15 card values: To make scoring simpler the cards 2-9 can be givena value of 5 instead of their face value. If an ace is played as a low card,such as a A-2-3 run, then it will have a value of 5 points instead of 15.
3. Card from discard pile must be played: With this variation the rule thatthe deepest card taken from the discard pile must be played also applies evenif only one card is taken from the discard pile.
4. New meld for discard cards: When cards are drawn from the discard pilethen the deepest card must be played in a new meld, not laid off on existingmelds.
5. Rummy in the Pile, or Calling Rummy!: This is a commonly played variant,although it is not regarded as part of standard Rummy 500 by most game books.The way it works is that if, for example, a player discards a card whichcould have been melded, or leaves the discard pile in a state where itcontains cards which can be melded without requiring a card or cards from anyplayer's hand, then before the next player draws, any player other than theone who just discarded, may call 'Rummy!' and take the discard pile as fardown as the relevant card. This player then completes their turn by meldingthat card and possibly others, and by discarding one card to end their turn. Theturn to play then passes to the player on the left of the one who called'Rummy!' and moves clockwise from there, possibly skipping some players ineffect. Note that it is not possible to call 'Rummy!' in this way when thegame has ended. When a player discards or melds their last card, the gameends and they need not have any regard to what is left in the pile. Here aretwo examples of how 'Rummy In The Pile' works in practice:
   • If there is a 3-4-5 on the board (i.e. in the meld area)and someone discards a 2 or a 6 then anyplayer, apart from the the discarder may call out 'Rummy!', take the cardand meld it.
   • If it is your turn and you have 7 and 8 inyour hand, you draw 6 from stock but there is already a 5 buried in the pile. If you meld your 6-7-8 inthis turn, then anyone can call 'Rummy!', take the 5 fromthe pile (and all cards above it) and add it to your meld. You cannot makethis call yourself immediately after placing your meld down, only the otherplayers may do this, but you may once the next player has taken his turn,in the unlikely event that no one else has spotted it and called 'Rummy!'.In situations like this you may want to hold on to your meld until yournext turn and then take the 5 from the pile (and all cardsabove it) in order to play the larger meld.
6. Calling Rummy for top card only: For this variation only the mostrecently discarded card is eligible for being stolen by another playercalling “Rummy!”
7. Discard required when going out: This variant requires a player who goesout to keep one card so that they can discard at the end of their turn. Inthis version of the game you are not allowed to meld all your cards, leavingyourself nothing to discard.
8. Floating: This variant also required that a player must discard in orderfor the hand to be ended, but they can meld all of their cards on their turn.When this happens the player “floats” until it is their turn again. Theplayer can then draw a card and discard it, draw from the discard pile andmake a meld and discard like normal, etc. If the player still has cards atthat point (because of drawing more than one card from the discard pile) thenplay continues like normal until a player is able to go out with a discard.
9. Unplayable discard required: if a player goes out with a discard thenthe card must be unplayable on any existing melds. Otherwise they will gointo floating mode as described above.
10. Must go out to win: If another player is the one to go out on a hand,then you can not be the winner even if you have 500 points or better. If theplayer who did go out does not have 500 points then play continues withanother round. It is possible for the winner to have less points than otherplayers.

Rummy Card Game Rules Malayalam