Rummy Glossary

One can play the game of rummy confidently when all commonly used terms are known to the player. So, here is a glossary of rummy terms and terminologies mainly used in Indian Rummy.

101 Pool Rummy

The objective of 101 pool rummy is to score the lowest points. Players are eliminated from the match if they cross 101 points.

The game keeps on going till only one player is remaining. That player is declared as the winner.

13 Card Rummy

It is the most common version of rummy in India. You get 13 cards during a deal, and your goal is to create two sequences. One of them must be a pure sequence.

The rest of your cards can be sorted in sequences or sets.

201 Pool Rummy

201 pool rummy has the same rules as 101 pool rummy. However, players are removed from the game if they cross 201 points (instead of 101 points in 101 pool rummy).

21 Card Rummy

The objective of 21 Cards Rummy is to arrange or put in a valid sequence or set all the 21 cards dealt to the players.

61 Pool Rummy

61 pool rummy has the same rules as that for 101 pool rummy and 201 pool rummy. However, players are removed from the game if they cross 61 points. This is the fastest pool rummy format.

Aces

Rummy is played with one or more decks of cards. It contains four suits - hearts 💗, diamonds 🔶, spades ♠, and clubs ♣.

Aces are the cards marked with “A.”

Example: A💗, A🔶, A♠, and A♣.

An ace has 10 points in a rummy game. It can also serve as the wild card if the joker is a printed joker.

Best of Three

A best-of-three game happens for three deals only. The Player who earns the most chips from opponents is the winner.

Buy In

It refers to the entry fee of a rummy cash tournament. Every player has to pay a fee to participate in the game.

All the “buy-ins” are added to create the prize pool, which the best player wins.

Cash Games

A rummy cash game is played with real money. Winners also receive their winnings in real cash.

Chips

Chips are digital coins used in rummy.

Closed Deck

The closed deck is the pile of cards kept face-down on the table. They are the cards remaining after dealing the hands to all players.

Each player picks a card from the closed deck during the game. It is reshuffled when all the cards are drawn.

Deadwood

Unmatched cards which have not yet been arranged into valid sets or sequences.

Deals Rummy

It is a rummy game with a set number of deals (2 - 6). Players pay a fee to join a game and get a number of chips.

The player who wins a deal gets all the chips from opponents. The player with the maximum chips at the end of the game wins.

Dealing

It refers to the act of handing out cards to all players after the toss.

Deck

A rummy game may use one or two decks of cards. Each player receives 13 cards in a deal.

Declare

A player can declare in rummy when they have a valid hand made of two sequences, one being a pure sequence.

The rest of the cards may be in sets or sequences.

Discard

Each player has to put down a card from their hand after picking one from the closed pile. The act of putting down a card on the open deck is called discarding.

Discard Pile or Open Deck

The discard pile is the open deck. It is formed when players discard their cards during a game. The deck is kept open, and the top card is visible.

Players can also pick a card from the open deck during their turn.

Draw

It refers to the process of picking a card from the open or closed pile.

Drop

Players can quit a game by tapping the “Drop” button during a rummy game.

Face Cards

Kings, Queens, and Jacks of all suits are known as face cards.

Full Count

Full count is the maximum possible points that can be scored by a player in a round/deal/game irrespective of the total value of cards in their hand.

Fish

A technique which only a skilled rummy player can use. This is an art where a player formulates a plan that would entail tricking the opponent to give away a card or cards which can help him to form a valid sequence.

Hand

A player receives 13 cards during a deal which makes a hand.

Impure Sequence

Three or more consecutive cards of the same suit and a joker form an impure sequence.

Example: 5🔶, 6🔶, 7🔶, K♠

(K♠ is the wild card)

Indian Rummy

A typical 13 card rummy game which is played in India. Also colloquially known as Paplu in the northern part of India. Many believe that Indian Rummy is the cross between Gin Rummy and 500 Rummy.

Joker

A joker is a wild card in rummy. It can be used to form an impure sequencing by replacing any missing card.

Example: A💗, 2💗, 3💗, K♠

(K♠ is the wild card)

Melding

Melding is the act of sorting your cards into sets and sequences.

Paplu

It is a colloquial term for Indian Rummy. Other colloquial terms in Indian Rummy which someone may come across in the northern part of India are Nichlu and Tiplu. Traditionally the trio of Paplu, Nichlu and Tiplu refers to the set of King, Queen and Jack. Many associate Paplu with a joker card as well.

Points

All cards on a deck carry point in rummy:

Aces, kings, queens, and jacks - 10 points each

Joker - 0 points

All other cards - points are the face value of cards (10♠ = 10 points)

Points Rummy

It is a rummy cash game and has only one deal. All points have a pre-decided cash value. The player with the most points wins and receives cash prizes.

Pure Sequence

A pure sequence is made of three or more succeeding cards of the same suit.

Rummy Tournament

A rummy tournament has several rounds. It can be free or have a buy-in. The top performer of all rounds wins the tournament.

Set

A set contains three or more cards of the same value. It may or may not have a joker.

Example:

A💗, A🔶, A♠

A💗, A🔶, 5♠

(5♠ is the joker)

Shuffling

Shuffling is the process of mixing the cards before dealing a hand and reforming the closed deck.

Suit

A deck of 52 cards contains four suits of 13 cards each. Every suit has the same symbol and colour.

They are - hearts 💗, diamonds 🔶, spades ♠, and clubs ♣.

Unmatched/Invalid Cards

The cards that don’t form a sequence or set are invalid or unmatched cards. A player who loses generally has a few unmatched cards in their hands.

Wild Card

The wild card is just another name for the joker. It can be used to create an impure sequence or set.

Once you are well versed with all terms used in rummy, you can start practicing the game and before gaining confidence to play real cash games.

Refer to sections below for further reading:

How to Play Rummy

Pool Rummy

Deal Rummy

Points Rummy

Rummy Tournaments

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