Liverpool Rummy is much the same as contract rummy to all intents and purposes, except that the player to the right of the dealer must cut the deck of cards before the start of a deal. The most exciting thing is that, if this player manages to cut the exact number of cards required to deal the hand and leave a face-up card, the cutting player’s score is reduced by 50 points – which is very positive in this rummy variation.

Here are the differences in the “May I?” ruling according to Gret Petras:

• One deck of cards is used in every 2 players, including both jokers from each deck of cards.

• Groups or sequences in an initial meld may contain more than the minimum number of cards. In this example, say in round 3, if your cards are 3-4-5-6-7 and 2-3-4-5-6-7, you may lay down all of these cards at once in your melding turn.

• In consequence, you also do not need to put down cards like 3-4-5-6 and 2-3-4-5 first and then wait until your next turn to then to lay off the left over 7 and 6-7 in Liverpool rummy. The same applies to groups – the initial meld may have as many cards as you like (minimum 3) of the same rank.

• Melded Jokers cannot be used again in Liverpool rummy. For example, if somebody placed a sequence 3-4-joker-6, and you have the 5 of that suit, you may not take the joker out in exchange for your 5, like the usual game allows.

• In the rounds 3, 6, and 7, where the contract has more than one sequence, there is no exclusion against continuous sequences. In other words, it is acceptable to meld 3-4-5-6 and 7-8-9-10 of the same suit as two sequences.

• Special rule for round 7 do not apply in Liverpool rummy. A player melding may have more than 12 cards, if “May-I?” was done during that round, two extra cards is given in their hand for each “May-I?” that has been requested. It is also not necessary to use up all cards at hand in your 3 sequences. In addition, if the player melding has cards left over, play continues as in other rounds.

• Jokers are worth 25 points, instead of 15.