Learn how to play rummy card game

The two card decks used in Rummy comprise two jokers in total. The decks involve a closed one and an open one.The closed deck doesn’t allow the players to see the card chosen by them whereas the open one comprises the cards discarded by the players.

The Rummy game is all about making valid sequences and sets. 

Card Ranking and points

Ranking in increasing order - Ace,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10.Jack,Queen and King

Value/ Points - Ace, Jack, Queen and King carry 10 points each. Rest of the numerical cards have points equivalent to their face value. For example a 7 card has 7 points and a 3 card has 3 points etc.

A valid Rummy declaration

A valid Rummy declaration is made by a player when he or she successfully arranges 13 cards that include two or more valid sequences and sets. The sequences made should have atleast one pure sequence for the declaration to be valid.

How to form a sequence in rummy game?

A sequence can be created with three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. 

Pure sequence

Three or more cards from the same suit are arranged consecutively to get a pure sequence. The arrangement should not contain a joker or a wild card.

Example:  2♣ 3♣ 4♣ 5♣

                 8 ♦ 9♦ 10♦

Impure Sequence

An impure sequence is formed by a group of three or more cards of the same suit. A player can use one or more Joker cards to replace any one of the consecutive cards.

Examples:  4 ♥ 5 ♥ PJ 7 ♥ ( Here PJ- Printed joker has replaced 6 to form an impure sequence)

                   3 ♣ 4 ♣ Q♦  5♣ PJ (This impure sequence is completed by Q and PJ here

Note: A wild card can belong to a different suit other than that of the sequence formed. 

How to form sets in rummy game?

A set is formed by a group of three or more cards of different suits that have  the same value. Players can use wild cards and jokers while making a set.

Examples:  5♥ 5♣ 5 ♦( A set is formed by three ‘5’s from different suits)

                   2♠ 2♥ 2 ♣ Q♥  ( Here Q♥ acts as a wild joker and replaces 2♦ to complete a set) 

                   9 ♥ 9 ♠ Q ♣ PJ ( Q♣  is the wild joker replacing 9 ♣ and Printed Joker (PJ) is replacing 9♦

                   3♦ 3 ♣Q ♥ PJ Q♠ ( The two wild cards Q♥ and Q♠ replace 3 ♥ and 3♠ respectively. The printed joker completes the 13 card grouping. 

Here is an example of a valid declaration - 

| 4♠  5♠  6♠  7♠ |    7♦  8♦  9♦  10 ♦ | 4♠ 4♣  PJ Q♦ Q♥ |

The last set of 5 cards is made to complete a valid declaration.

Note: If you have 4 cards in a set and an additional joker that completes the 13 card arrangement, , it remains a valid set. 

Invalid Sets

K ♣K♣ K ♦  is an invalid set since the Ks from the same suit are used.

5♦ 5♦ 5 ♣5♥Q♦  is an invalid declaration because there are two 5s from the same suit(diamond). The Q♦ is valid as a wild card. In the set.

Rules of Rummy Card Game

1. There are two decks of cards and each player is dealt 13 cards and a random card is picked up as a wild card or a joker card.
2. The players have to draw and discard cards from each of the decks to form a valid rummy declaration of 13 cards that include sets and sequences.They can also use a random card as wild joker or the joker card to make impure sequences and sets.
3. If the player succeeds in arranging valid 2 sequences including 1 pure sequence and sets or sequences, he/she can make a valid declaration.

Rummy terms

Joker or Wild Cards -  Joker or wild cards are picked up before the actual game begins. These cards can replace any cards to form sets and sequences. They are often used to complete the 13 card arrangement by replacing the desired number. They have “Zero” points.

Drop -  When a player quits the game at the beginning or half way through the game, it is called a drop.

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