How to Play Rummy: A Detailed Guide to Rummy Rules!

Welcome to the world of Rummy – a timeless card game that has entertained players for centuries. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the game, Rummy offers an exciting blend of strategy, skill, and luck that keeps players coming back for more. In this blog post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of Rummy, from its basic rules to advanced strategies, so you can enjoy this classic casino game to the fullest.

Objective of the Rummy Card Game

In a game of rummy, the cards are ranked from lowest to highest, starting with Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K. Here, all face cards (Ace, Jack, Queen, King) carry 10 points each. The remaining cards carry a value equal to their face value, meaning that 7 of any suit will carry 7 points.

The main objective and rule of the rummy card game is to create at least two sequences by arranging your 13 cards into valid sets and sequences, one of which must be a “pure sequence” (3 or more cards of the same suit in order, no jokers). You can also have sets (3 or 4 cards of the same rank). The first player to declare all their cards in valid combinations wins. Remember, no pure sequence, no valid declaration! This is the golden rule of Rummy.

Also Read: How to Play Video Poker: Basics & Guidelines!

How to Play Rummy?

Get Started With Rummy Game Rules

Ready to unleash your inner Rummy champion? Let’s take a look at how to play a rummy game from scratch:

1. Rummy game is played between 2 to 6 players with either 1 or 2 decks of cards. Each player gets 13 cards, plus one chosen as the special “wild joker” (besides any regular jokers in the deck).
2. Players take turns drawing and discarding cards to form combinations. The goal is to arrange all 13 cards into valid sequences (three or more cards of the same suit in sequence) or sets 3 or 4 cards of the same rank, and declare first to win.
3. As per rummy rules, you have to create at least 2 sequences, including one “pure sequence”, for a valid declaration. Ways to arrange cards in valid order:-
   • 2 sequences + 2 sets
   • 3 sequences + 1 set
   • All cards arranged in sequences.
4. Prioritize creating a pure sequence and discard high-value cards early on if they remain ungrouped. If you declare without a pure sequence, points of all the cards in your hand will be added up to calculate your penalty points.

How to Form Sequences?

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)

Rummy Card Game

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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Important Terms to Know for Understanding Rummy Rules

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Here are some important rummy terms you should know to understand how to play rummy game:

• Rummy Table: In order to know how to play rummy online, players play the a free practice game at a virtual table. Typically two to six players can play at a rummy table.
• Sorting of cards: The sorting of cards is done at the beginning of the game. Simply click on the “Sort” button and your cards will be automatically arranged in combinations according to suit. Sorting is useful to identify potential combinations like pure sequences, impure sequences and sets.
• Deal/Round: In rummy, a deal or round begins with the dealing of cards and ends when a player successfully declares his/her hand.
• Dealing of cards: At the beginning of rummy game cards are dealt to each player randomly. This process is known as dealing.
• Draw and Discard: In a rummy card game, you can draw or pick cards from the closed deck (pile of cards placed face down) or the open deck (pile of cards discarded by players and placed face up).
• On each turn, you have to draw a card and discard an unwanted card from your hand. These actions of picking new cards and getting rid of your unwanted cards are known as drawing and discarding, respectively.
• Meld: When cards have been dealt, players have to arrange their cards in sequences, or sequences and sets. The act of arranging cards in such valid groups is known as melding.
• Printed & Wild Joker: Jokers are essential to a rummy game. There are two types of jokers: printed jokers (1 per deck) and wild jokers (4 per deck). Both types of jokers can be used as substitutes for any missing cards in a set or sequence. They help to form sets and sequences.
• A random card is selected as the wild joker at the beginning of the game. The cards of the same rank in all the four suits also become wild jokers.
• Drop:You can choose to opt out of the deal/game at any time during the game. This is known as a drop. You get some penalty points for dropping out of a game/deal.
• For example, in a points rummy scoring, you get 20 points for dropping out before your very first move in the game and 40 points for dropping out anytime after picking your first card. Dropping before you play your first move is called a first drop, and dropping in the middle of a game is called a middle drop.
• Chips: Chips are used to play practice games on Junglee Rummy. You get free chips when you register on Junglee Rummy and you can reload chips when you run out of them.
• When you join a practice game, a predefined number of chips will be deducted from your chip balance. When you win, the virtual chips won are credited to your account.
• Declare: Immediately after you finish a game by discarding one of your cards to the “Finish” slot, you have to show your cards to your opponents. This is called declaring your hand.
• Cash Tournaments: Cash tournaments are tournaments that you join by paying an entry fee. The winners get real money in prizes. On Junglee Rummy, play rummy online, and also participate in cash tournaments every day throughout the year. Just add cash to your Junglee Rummy account and start playing!

Useful Chart

How To Play & Rummy Guidelines For Valid Rummy Declaration:

Handy Directions to Follow While Declaring With 13 Cards:

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

Handy Directions to Follow While Declaring With 13 Cards:

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:

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

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

Also Read: How To Play Keno Card Game?

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

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How to Play Rummy: FAQs