What is “Show” in Rummy

Indians love to play rummy. It is a simple card game that provides a lot of fun. However, you must know all the rules to ensure you play well.

Here, you will find out more about “show” in rummy and you will learn what it means and how to use the method to declare your hand.

You get 13 cards when a rummy game begins.The aim is to create groups of cards to form a valid hand. You can make two sequences, one of which has to be a pure sequence. 

The other can be a pure or impure sequence with a wild or joker card. You can make sets or another sequence to declare your hand. 

The declaration you make is called a rummy show. 

How to “Show” in Rummy?

You need to have the following to make a show:

• A pure sequence or run of three cards or more
• Another impure sequence or run or sets of three cards or more

Now, let’s explore what the terms mean. 

What is a Pure Sequence?

You can make a pure sequence in a rummy game with consecutive cards of the same suit. It cannot have a wild card or a printed joker card. 

Examples of pure sequences are:

• 4💗, 5💗, 6💗, 7💗, 8💗
• A♣, K♣, Q♣, J♣, 10♣
• 2🔶, 3🔶, 4🔶, 5🔶, 6🔶

What is an Impure Sequence?

An impure sequence contains three or more succeeding cards of the same suit along with a joker or a wild card. 

Examples of impure sequences are:

• 4💗, 5💗, 6💗, 7💗, 2♠ 
• A♣, K♣, 2♠, J♣, 
• 2🔶, 3🔶, 4🔶, 5🔶, 2♠
• (2♠ is the joker or wild card)

What is a Set?

A set is a group of three or more cards of the same value. They don’t need to belong to the same suit. 

You can also make a set with a joker card or wild card. 

Examples of sets are:

• 3💗, 3♣, 3🔶, 3♠
• 7💗, 7♣, 7🔶, 7♠
• 7💗, 7♣, 7🔶, 2♠ (2♠ is the joker)

What is a Joker?

You can use a joker or wild card to complete a set or impure sequence. However, you must create one pure sequence to show your hands. 

The joker is the card kept half-covered, under the closed deck on the table. 

What is a Wrong Show?

A wrong show happens when you declare your invalid hand. It means you have not been able to meet the rules of a valid declaration. 

An invalid sequence or set can result in a wrong show. You also get 80 penalty points and lose the game. 

Examples of invalid sequences are:

• 4💗, 5💗, 6💗, 7💗, 8♠
  (8♠ is from a different suit)
• 2🔶, 3🔶, 4🔶, 5💗
  (5💗 is not from the same suit)

Examples of invalid sets are:

• 3💗, 3♣, 3🔶, 5♠
  (the last card does not belong to the set)

• 6💗, 7♣, 7🔶, 7♠
  (the last card does not belong to the set)

Below is a quick table for your reference:

Valid Groups	Explanation	Example
Pure sequence	Made up of 3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit	4💗, 5💗, 6💗, 7💗, 8💗
Impure sequence	Made up of 3 or more succeeding cards of the same suit and a wild card	2🔶, 3🔶, 4🔶, 5🔶, 2♠ (2♠ is wild)
Set	Made up of 3 or more cards of the same value. May or may not have a wild card	7💗, 7♣, 7🔶, 7♠ 7💗, 7♣, 7🔶, 2♠  (2♠ is the joker)

A show in rummy is the same as declaring your hand. It means you have got a valid hand with the required sequences or sets. Always show your cards at the right time to avoid losing the game.