Many people think of rummy as a game of luck but what they don’t know is that there are a number of skills involved that can help you make the right moves and make the game work in your favour. So what are the rules of Indian rummy? Let’s find out.
Typically, the card game rummy requires a minimum of two players. The dealer deals thirteen cards each among all the players which they can then arrange in sequential order and/or in sets to make their game quick and more organised. After the cards have been dealt, a Joker is picked from the remaining deck. Easy-peasy, no? With this out of the way, let’s move on to how the rules of rummy work.
- What is a Sequence?
A common concept in many card games, a sequence is a consecutive order of ranks (numbers) with matching suits. There needs to be a minimum of 3 cards to qualify as a sequence. For example – J♥ Q♥ K♥ or J♥ Q♥ K♥ A♥, and so on.
Note: There needs to be a 3 card sequence and a 4 card pure sequence i.e. matching suits in order of rank to qualify to win a game.
- What is a Set?
Sets are nothing but 3 or 4 cards of the same rank and different suits arranged in any particular order. For example: 2♥ 2♠ 2♣
or 2♥ 2♠ 2♣
2♦ and so on.
- What is a Joker?
A Joker can be looked at as a wild card – a card that can be substituted for any other card at any given point. You can use the joker in place of any card as long as the sequence or set makes sense. For example, if the joker drawn is a 4, in this sequence it can be used in place of the King such as – J♥ Q♥ 4♣
. In a set, it can be substituted for any number such as – 2♥ 2♠ 4♣
.
- How can you play to win?
Winning a game of rummy is not hard at all. Like a game of Poker, it’s good to have a game face on. Don’t give your cards away to your opponent in the form of facial expressions or body language. Play strategically and most of all, don’t let anyone intimidate you. Chances are, you have a better game.
Note: In order to declare your game, you need have a pure sequence i.e. a sequence without the joker unless of course the joker matches the suit and order of your sequence. For example – A♥ 2♥ 3♥ 4♥, given that the joker here is any of these ranks.
And that’s all that’s there to the magical game of rummy. Our suggestion? Practise a bit with your friends and family before you take on playing rummy professionally. Not only will this give the right kind of encouragement but you’ll have a great time playing!
Hopefully we could help you understand how you play the awesome card game of rummy. If you have any other doubts or queries regarding rummy rules or how to play the game, feel free to reach out to us, and before you know it, you’ll go from a beginner to a pro!
Happy playing!
