Rummy Tips and Tricks
December 21, 2022
Rummy Rules

Rummy Rules

Rummy is among the top card games in India. You can play it with 2 to 6 players with one or two decks of cards. The objective of the games is to make sequences and sets of the cards. 

In this post, we will discuss rummy rules. You will learn how to play rummy and get important advice to develop your skills.

But first, let’s get to know a few important terms.

Table

A table is where you sit and play a card game. It can be a table in your home or an online table on a website or app. 

2 to 6 players can join a table. 

Deck of Cards

A deck of cards contains 13 cards of four suits- hearts 💗, spades ♠, diamonds 🔸, and clubs ♣. Each player gets 13 cards during the game. 

Sort

You will find a “Sort” button when you play rummy online or on an app. It helps you group your cards according to their suits. 

Players can also sort their cards by dragging and dropping. 

Joker Cards (Wild Cards)

The card on the table is half covered to show the joker or wild card. You can use a joker as a replacement for any card to form a sequence of suits or sets (explained below).

The printed joker can also be used in the same way. However, if the joker (wild card) is the printed joker, then aces are considered wild cards. 

Pure Sequence

A pure sequence is formed using three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. They do not have any joker or wild card. 

Example:  

  • 2♠, 3♠, 4♠, 5♠, 6♠
  • K🔸, Q🔸, J🔸, 10🔸

Impure Sequence

An impure sequence is formed by grouping three or more consecutive cards of the same suit and a wild card. 

Example:

  • K🔸, Q🔸, J🔸, 5♣
  • 2♠, 3♠, 5♣, 5♠, 

(5♣ is the joker or wild card)

Set

A group of three or more cards of the same rank make a set. It may or may not contain a wild card.

Example:

  • 3💗, 3♠, 3🔸, 3♣
  • 3💗, 3♠, 3🔸, 5♣, 

(5♣ is the joker or wild card)

Drop

You can tap the “Drop” button to quit the game for a penalty. We will discuss more about the points you lose in a drop later. 

Variations of Rummy

A few variants of rummy are available to Indian players:

Points Rummy

It is a fast version of the card game that ends when a player declares. The objective is to create two sequences, with at least one pure sequence. Once you have created two sequences, you can group the rest of your cards in sets or sequences.

A losing player can receive up to 80 points.

Deals Rummy

The deals in this version are pre-decided before the start of the game. The player with the maximum chips wins when the pre-decided rounds end. 

The objective is to create a valid hand. 

Pool Rummy

The 61, 101 and 201 pool rummy is based on points. The players who cross 61, 101 or 201 points first are eliminated from the game. The match continues till only one player is left.  

Here’s how the points are calculated in rummy:

Cards Points
Aces, Kings, Queens, & Jacks 10 points each
Wild cards and Jokers 0 points each
Other Cards Face value of each

Example:

5💗 – 5 points

8♣ – 8 points

3🔸 – 3 points

The value of all cards will be added if a player cannot create any set or sequence. Here is an example:

  • 2🔸, 3🔸, 4🔸, 5,🔸 6🔸 (pure sequence) / 6♣, 7♣, 8,♣ 5🔸, (impure sequence), / 4♣, 7💗, 8♠, 3💗 (invalid)

Here, the points of the invalid cards add up:

4 + 7 + 8 + 3 = 22.

However, players who declare successfully gets 0 points.

Below is an example:

  • 2🔸, 3🔸, 4🔸, 5,🔸 6🔸 (pure sequence) / 6♣, 7♣, 8,♣ 5🔸, (impure sequence) / 4♣, 4💗, 4♠, 4🔸 (set)
  • (5🔸 is the wild card)

The total value is 80 points. You also get 80 points if you have an invalid declaration. 

Drops also come with penalty points:

  • First drop: 20 points
  • Second drop: 40 points

How to Play Rummy

The most common question from all beginners is how to play rummy? You need to follow these rummy rules to play the game. Here are the steps:

  • Download and install the RummyTime app
  • Choose the version you want to play
  • Sort your cards as soon as you get your hand
  • Draw cards from the discarded or closed pile
  • Try to form valid sequences for making a declaration
  • Declare when you have a valid hand 

How to Win in Rummy

You get a hand of 13 cards while playing the game. Your aim is to arrange the cards in sequences and sets. 

To win the game, you will have to create at least two sequences. One must be a pure sequence, while another can be an impure sequence with a wild card. 

The rest of your hand can be in sequences or sets. 

You can tap the “Declare” button once you form a qualifying hand. However, your points should also be the lowest. 

RummyTime is one of India’s favourite Rummy apps. We hope this was helpful for you to start playing.