Deals Rummy

Deals rummy is a variant of 13 card rummy that has some parallels with points rummy too. In this variant, the players play a pre-decided number of deals at the end of which the player with the most chips is declared the winner. In many ways, this game provides a better opportunity to those who can consistently win one deal after another, unlike a variant like points rummy where just one deal decides the winner.

Let's take a look at the rules of deals rummy in greater detail.

Deals Rummy

Before the game

The number of deals to be played is decided before the game begins.

Typically, two or more standard decks of 52 playing cards (with Joker cards) are used. Before the game begins, the decks are shuffled well.

Objective of Deals Rummy

The objective of the deals rummy game is to retain the maximum number of chips at the end of the pre-decided number of deals.

Rules of Deals Rummy

  • The game is played between 2 and 6 players.
  • Each player needs to bring a minimum amount of cash to the game, and chips are distributed to all the players equally as follows:
    • In 2 player games, 160 chips are distributed to each player (2 x 80)
    • In 6 player games 480 chips are distributed to each player (6 x 80)
  • Every player gets 13 cards and the undealt cards are placed on the table in a closed deck (face down) and one randomly drawn card is placed on the table to make the open deck (face up).
  • A toss decides who starts the game.
  • Each player tries to arrange his cards in melds (sequences or sets).
  • With each turn, the players must pick a card from the open or closed deck and discard one card from their hand to the open deck.
  • The first player to complete two melds (2 pure sequences, 1 pure sequence and 1 impure sequence or 1 pure sequence and 1 set) calls for a show (commonly done by calling out the word ‘rummy’) and gets his cards validated.
  • The other players are assigned points based on the cards in their hand (capped at 80 points by convention).
  • Each card carries points as follows:
    • Ace – 10 points (but may differ from place to place and people to people)
    • King, Queen, Jack – 10 points each
    • Joker – 0 points
    • Numerical cards – Same points as face value
  • The winner gets chips from the other players equal in value to their points.

The game continues till the pre-decided number of deals have been played out, at which point the player with the maximum chips is declared the winner.

Drop Option

In 2-player deals rummy, dropping is not an option. However, 3 consecutive misses by the same player leads to a penalty of 80 points and the player is automatically dropped from the game. If more than 2 players are playing, dropping on the first turn leads to a penalty of 20 points. Dropping on any subsequent turn means a penalty of 40 points. 3 consecutive misses by the same player leads to a penalty of 80 points and the player is automatically dropped from the game.

Best of 2 Deals Rummy

In this variant, the winner is decided after two deals have been played out.

Best of 3 Deals Rummy

In this variant, the winner is decided after three deals have been played out.

Love to Deals Rummy Download Rummytime App

Love to Deals Rummy

Can’t wait to play deals rummy? Download the Rummytime app and start playing!