How to play rummy: the Kalookie 51 way? This rummy variation is similar to Gin Rummy and Kalooki 51 also has gained popularity online.The only distinct difference between Kalooki 51 and gin rummy is that Kalookie allows the use of wild cards, which totally changes the strategy of the player in handling his cards.

Although most players still prefer gin rummy or traditional rummy or other variations, Kalpookie 51 has a fair bit of support and a loyal following. The main attraction of this version of rummy is that it is a bit different from the run of the mill gin and traditional rummys. So there are new players turning to Kalookie 51 out of thirst for knowledge of something new, or just out of curiousity.

The game begins by distributing 13 cards for each player and each turn ends when a player has finished getting one card from the stock or from the discard pile of the previous player. A player has the opportunity to lay off cards when he creates a meld. But the meld has to add up to 51 points and walla! You now know how to play rummy: Kalooki 51 style.

Now for some of rules; the use of wild cards or a Joker plays a significant role in this game. However, once the necessary card is acquired, the player can remove his Joker and replace it with the needed card.

Once a player calls Kalooki, the opponents must add the points of their unmelded cards to the winning player’s score.

Scoring is quite exciting because, once a player goes Kalooki and another player still has a Joker in his hand, it will be a 25-points penalty to him.

Values are counted the same as most variants. Faces are 10 points, Acess 11 points, and the rest of the cards reflects the points at their face value. Joker’s score is based on the card they represent.