NOTE: When making a sequence in basic rummy, the ace is always a low card. It may not be played above the king.
The rules of rummy are quite simple, and this contributes in large part to the popularity of the game in India and beyond. The rules also make for tantalising and exciting game play, as you are sure to discover very soon.
Now, if you were unsure about the rules of the game, you will find them below in detail. We do advise that you go through them carefully before you attempt to conquer the rummy world at RummyCentral! Good luck!
We created this guide in the ‘question & answer’ format to aid the ease of use and understanding.
At this stage, it’s important for beginners to know the very basics of rummy before we go into the rules of the game. If you are familiar with the terms and concepts, feel free to skip this section and go ahead to the next.
Quite simply, the objective of rummy is to create sequences and sets from the cards you have been given - according to the order dictated by the rules of the game, and before any of your opponents create their own sequences and sets
Now, from the cards originally handed out, a player usually will not be able to create the necessary sequences and sets to win the game, therefore players will have to resort to the ‘draw and discard’ method, where they pick up a card, and discard one which doesn’t fit into the sequences or sets they are creating. You will find out more about this as you progress with this page.
Rummy is a game played between anywhere from two to six players at any given point of time. The packs of cards used will change with the number of players participating.
The player who manages to create combinations out of all the cards except one (Which should be discarded) wins the game. That is the rules for winning in rummy. It is that simple.
Cards are grouped based on the shapes that are printed on them - each of these shapes denotes a particular suit. There are four suits in a pack of cards. Each suit has 13 cards numbered from Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen and King. Here are the four types of suits in a pack of cards:
As prescribed by the rules of the game, the required order of cards that players need to keep in mind while creating sequences is - Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen and King.
Each card in the game of rummy has a different point value when a player’s score is being calculated. Here is the value of each individual card:
A sequence is a group of three or four consecutive cards, but each of these cards should all be from the same suit. Let’s take a look at some examples of sequences to better understand the concept:
Examples of valid sequences:
A pure sequence in the game of rummy is a sequence which does not use a joker to complete a valid sequence. A valid declaration or show must contain at least one Pure sequence.
An Impure sequence in the game of a rummy is a sequence which uses a joker to complete a valid sequence. A valid declaration can contain an Impure sequence.
A set in the game of rummy is made up of three or four cards of the same value or ‘face card’, but each of them must be from different suits. Here are some examples of sets to help you understand this concept clearer.
When players play rummy with Jokers, a Joker can be used as a substitute for another card, and the players can then use these jokers in place of any other cards to form a valid set or sequence
Yes, there are two kinds of Jokers in rummy. They are:
Now, let’s take a look at an example of a sequence and a set with a Joker:
Example of a valid sequence with a Joker:
5♦ 6♦ Joker 8♦ (Joker used in place of 7♦)
Example of a valid set with a Joker:
6♣ 6♦ 6♥ Joker (Joker used in place of 6♠)
1. Please note that these rules apply to both Printed and Wild jokers
2. Jokers cannot be used to make Impure sequences, but not to form Pure sequences
A rummy table is table designated for the game of rummy which can accommodate anywhere two to six players.
The complete gameplay that the players are engaged in during the game of rummy is typically referred to as a round. A round begins once the cards are dealt, and it includes the drawing and discarding of cards. A round ends when a declaration or show is made.
Dealing is described as the process of handing out cards to all the players involved in the game of rummy. The cards are dealt out by the dealer at the start of each round.
The dealer in rummy is the player responsible for ‘dealing out’ the cards. He or she is chosen at random at the start of the game, and each player will be given a chance to be the dealer for each subsequent game.
Please note that the printed ‘value’ of the card as well as the suit of the card should be the only determining factors when making sets. As such, the colour of the card has no part to play in the formation of sets. This is better explained with the help of examples of valid sets where cards of different colours have been used:
The stack of remaining cards after all players are dealt their 13 cards each is known as the closed deck. This stack of cards is placed face down on the table and known as the closed deck.
An open deck is the group of cards that are discarded, face up on the table every time a player picks up a card from either the closed or the open deck. Please note that the player drawing the card can choose one from either the open deck, where he or she can see the card he or she’s drawing, or one from the closed deck where the cards are turned face down.
A declaration is a pivotal, culminating and crucial part of the game. Therefore, it’s very important to know what a valid declaration or show is. It could decide whether you win the game or lose it. A declaration or show takes place in a game of rummy when a player has arranged all of his or her cards in sequences and sets and declares or shows this to his or her fellow players to prove it. A declaration can be valid or invalid - it is a valid declaration if it strictly follows the rules of the game, and an invalid declaration if it does not.
A valid declaration or show
A valid declaration should use all 13 cards and must contain:
Let’s explain this further with the help of a couple of examples:
Example A
Ace♦ 2♦ 3♦ 4♦ - Valid Pure sequence 1
5♠ 6♠ 7♠ - Valid Pure sequence 2
9♦ 9♠ 9♣ - Valid set 1
Queen♠ Queen♦ Queen♣ - Valid set 2
From Example A, you will notice that all 13 cards have been used to form two valid sequences and two valid sets. Also, there is at least one Pure sequence. Therefore, this is a valid declaration.
Example B
3♥ 4♥ 5♥ 6♥ - Valid Pure sequence 1
Jack♣ 7♥ Queen♣ - Valid sequence 2 where 7♥ is the wild joker (Impure sequence)
Queen♠ Queen♦ Queen♣ - Valid set 1
9♠ 9♥ 9♣ - Valid set 2
In Example B, there are two clear sequences, one pure sequence, and the second one an Impure sequence which uses the wild joker to complete the sequence. You will also notice that there are two valid sets as well - all of this ensures that this is a valid declaration.
A First Drop occurs when a player drops out of the game right at the start. Usually, a First Drop occurs when a player is dissatisfied with the cards that he or she is dealt. Now, they can choose to ‘drop’, that is, concede the game at their first turn before drawing a card. This action is called a First Drop and will earn the player 20 points, and consequently, he or she ‘drops out’ and does not take part in that game any further.
Dropping out or conceding the game in the middle of a game of rummy is called a Middle Drop. Typically any drop after the player has drawn a card is called a Middle Drop and will earn the player 40 points.
In the game of rummy, drawing a card refers to the act of picking up a card during the game from either the closed deck or open deck. Discarding refers to the act of discarding a card to the open deck during the game. When a player draws a card from either deck, they must drop or discard a card to the open deck. The cards that are dropped should typically be the ones that don’t fall into the sequences or sets the player is trying to create.
Here are the rules of rummy which must be strictly followed during the game:
Well, that pretty much sums up the rules of rummy. Now that you’re familiar with the rules of rummy, why not get stuck into some thrilling rummy action at RummyCentral. You can even begin with some practice games before you begin to play for cash. So, don’t wait any longer, just go for it!
Card games have been part of Indian culture for ages. We have grown up playing card games like Classic Rummy and Teen Patti. In fact, card games are regular during Indian festivals and family get-togethers. Card games are thought out to be a good mental workout and they are known for their ability to reduce stress and lift up our moods.
In a standard card deck that has 52 cards, the Ace card plays a very important value. There are 4 Ace cards belonging to four different suits in a 52 deck card pack. The ace card has varying values according to the nature of the game.
Ace stands for desire. Ace of Spade is considered as the most spiritual card in the deck. It is a card that represents transformation. Ace of the spade is also colloquially referred to as the death card. As the spade depicted refers to a type of shovel that is used to dig a grave. There are tales where Ace of spades was considered a harbinger of death.
The value of the Ace card depends on the game. There are games where Ace card assumes high value like Trappola, Pinochet, and Sixty-six. Whereas in games like Poker and 13 card Rummy, players get to choose whether the ace card is used as high or low.
Rummy is an interesting card game that the 2-6 group of players can enjoy. Each player is dealt 13 cards and they have to arrange them into proper sequences and sets with a successful declare requiring 2 sequences including a pure sequence. The first player to reach the objective is declared as the winner. Players can use joker cards (both the printed jokers and wild jokers) to meet the objective.
Depending on the game, the Ace card assumes the position of low or a high card. By low, we mean that Ace card will assume the role of 1 and combine with 2 and 3 to form a pure sequence. A-2-3 is an example of a straight sequence. By high, we mean that card assumes the topmost position, one above King card. The ace card has a value of 10 points in most rummy online sites.
In certain games as per round the table rule, K-A-2 shall also be considered as a valid sequence. In such a case, the player has to fix the score right at the beginning.
Scoring is done depending on the way Ace is used in a game. If it’s a high card that combines with the likes of King and Queen, then Ace card carries 10 Points. On the other hand, if it is used as a low card in a substitute of 1, the card carries 1 point just as its rank indicates. If round the corner rule is agreed upon by the user, the value of the Ace card should be fixed right at the beginning.
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