There is little doubt that rummy is one of the most favorite card games around the world. It is believed to have originated towards the end of nineteenth century. One can enjoy this exciting game in the company of friends and family. The game, using a deck of 52 cards, can have a maximum of six players and of course, a minimum of two. Each card is assigned a value varying from one to ten. Aces carry one point each while all the face cards are assigned ten points each. The rest of the cards carry points as per their face value. The rummy rules very clear and stringent, so there is no room for confusion at any stage.
The deal: The first dealer may be chosen at random, or it may be decided with each player pulling a single card from the deck, and the lowest or the highest card, depending on the players' choice, is given the first deal. If there are just two players, the two players deal alternatively. In case of more than two players, the deal moves clockwise around the table. The number of cards to be dealt varies with the number of players.
Player density - Cards dealt
2 Players - 10 cards each
3 or 4 Players - 7 cards each
5 or 6 Players - 6 cards each
Having dealt the correct number of cards, the dealer keeps the first card from the rest of the deck on the table, with its face up. This is known as the discard pile and the rest of the deck, kept with its face down, forms the stock pile. Meanwhile, the players may examine and arrange their cards. The first turn is that of the player to the left of the dealer.
Each player aspires to get rid of all the cards in the shortest possible time to win the game. The winner should have sets of cards after having discarded all the unwanted ones. Three or four successive cards of the same sign form a run. An example of a run will be 5, 6, 7 and eight of hearts. Other than run, the players may choose to form sets. An example will be of say seven of clubs, hearts and spades.
The first run should essentially be successive card set as explained above. The player can avail of either of the following options.
1. Pick up a card discarded by the previous player.
2. Pick a fresh card on top of the pile.
Rummy rules provide, that in case the card picked up by the player can make a run or a set, he retains the card and discards another unwanted card from his hand. On the other hand, if the card picked up from the pile of cards is not of any consequence, the players discard the same. The game continues in this manner till one of the players has formed sets and runs from all the cards in hand. He discards the last extra card from his hand with its face up and on displaying the sets is declared the winner.
The points for the rest of the players are calculated as per the cards left in their hands. The point value for each card has already been described above. These are the penalty points for each player. Finally, the player with the least number of penalty points is the winner.
Here are some more rules for this game:
Aces can be counted as high or low as per the rummy rules.
One card needs to be discarded while ending the game.
If no cards are left in the stock pile, the discarded cards are shuffled to form a new pile.
