Everything You Need to Know About the Rummy Game

Rummy is a card game that is usually played by two to six players using one or two card decks and jokers. To win a game of rummy, a player must make a valid declaration before anyone else at the table by arranging the card dealt to them in required sequences or sequences and sets. On every turn, players have to pick a card from the open or closed deck and discard a card to the open deck.

While the game was traditionally played using physical cards, online rummy apps like Junglee Rummy now allow players to play the game online with real players from across the country.

How to Play Rummy

In the rummy card game, points are negative and each card has a certain value. For instance, cards like aces, jacks, queens and kings are worth 10 points each. The rest of the cards are worth their face value. For example, 5♠ is worth 5 points, 8♥ is worth 8 points, and so on.

The Objective

The objective of a rummy game is to arrange the 13 cards dealt in required combinations of sequences or sequences and sets in order to make a valid declaration before anyone else at the table.

How to Form a Sequence

A sequence in rummy is a group of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. There are two kinds of sequences: pure sequence and impure sequence. To win a rummy game, you need to create at least two sequences, out of which at least one must be a pure sequence. Without a pure sequence, you cannot make a valid declaration.

1. Pure Sequence

A pure sequence is a group of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit where no missing card has been substituted by a joker.

Here are some examples of a pure sequence:

i) 5♥-6♥-7♥

ii) 3♠-4♠-5♠-6♠

2. Impure Sequence

A group of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit with one or more joker cards is called an impure sequence.

Here are some examples of an impure sequence:

i) 6♦-7♦-Q♠(WJ)-9♦

Here, the Q♠ is a wild joker that has been used as a substitute for 8♦ to complete this impure sequence.

ii) 5♠-Q♥(WJ)-7♠-8♠-PJ

Here, Q♥ is a wild joker that has been used as a substitute for 6♠. Also, a printed joker has been used in place of the missing 9♠.

How to Form a Set

A set is a group of three or four cards of the same rank but different suits. You can use both wild and printed jokers to create sets.

Here are some examples of a set:

i) A♥-A♣-A♦

This is a valid set because it has been made using aces from three different suits.

ii) 8♦-8♣-8♠-8♥

This is a valid set because it has been made using 8s from four different suits.

iii) 9♦-Q♠(WJ)-9♠-9♥

Here, Q♠ is a wild joker that has been used instead of 9♣ to complete the set.

iv) 5♦-5♣-PJ

Here, a printed joker has been used to replace 5♥ or 5♠ and complete the set.

How to Play Rummy

At the beginning of an online rummy game, each player is dealt 13 cards. Before the start of play, a card is randomly picked from the closed deck as the wild joker, and all cards of the same rank from other suits also become wild jokers for that game.

Once the game begins, every player must pick cards from the open or closed deck and discard cards to the open deck on their turn to create all the required combinations. Players can also use wild jokers or printed jokers to create sets and impure sequences.

According to the Indian rummy rules, a player can make a valid declaration and win the game only if they have arranged their cards into at least two sequences, including one pure sequence, and arrange all their cards in groups. The remaining combinations can be either sequences or sets.

How to Win at Rummy

As important as it is to know the rules of rummy, it is also essential to play carefully and pay attention. Here are some quick tips to help you win at rummy and stay ahead of your opponents.

• Prioritize creating a pure sequence at the beginning of the game. You cannot make a valid declaration without a pure sequence.

• Discard high-value cards like the ace, jack, queen and king if they remain ungrouped after the first few turns.

• Group high-value cards with jokers to reduce your overall score.

• Avoid picking cards from the open deck as it gives your opponents a hint on the type of combination you are trying to create.

• Keep middle cards like 4s, 5s, 6s, 7s and 8s as these cards can be easily arranged in valid combinations.

• Do not use a joker in a pure sequence.

• Check your cards twice before making a declaration. Making an invalid declaration will cost you 80 points as a penalty.