Shanghai Rummy contract game has a few distinct versions. The version below has been put together by Mark Allen Davis with variations contributed by Tahelia Powe and Deb Kolsov. (These are the contributors of the game, Kudos to you guys!)

Basic rules of Contract Rummy are still followed. The explanation below focuses on the differences with regards to its players, cards, deals and contracts.

Number of players: 3 to 5

Deck of Cards: Played with two standard decks with four jokers (108 cards).

Number of cards dealt: following the rules of Contract Rummy, 11 cards are dealt to each player.

Shanghai rummy contract game follows these contracts:

1. Two books

2. One book, one run

3. Two runs

4. Three books

5. Two books, one run

6. One book, two runs

7. Three runs with no discard

Melding

• In a run, aces are high alone. So, A-2-3-4 is not a run. When putting down runs, consecutive runs in the same suit (such as 6-7-8-9 and 10-J-Q-K) cannot be put down by the same player in the initial meld. Runs can, however, become consecutive later on in the game when they are extended by adding extra cards.

• A player cannot put down two books of the same rank – six eights do not make two books.

• Jokers are used as a substitute for missing cards. A book or simply a run cannot contain more than one joker. A player, however, can meld more than one joker only if they are used in different books or runs.

• Initial melds of a player and other players melds can be added more cards in the same turn that the initial meld is laid down or in later turns. As stated in the beginning, standard rules of contract rummy can still be applied.

• Each player can take the discard out of turn at most two times in each round. For convenience sake, the use of pennies or other tokens is suggested to keep track of this.

• The player who wants the discard must also take the top two cards from the face down stock of cards, and does not meld or discard. Play then reverts to the person whose turn was interrupted, which is called the “May I?” in Shanghai rummy contract game.

• If the player whose turn does not want his card, the player can then take the discard by a “May I?.” On the other hand, if more than one player desires to do the “May I?” of the same card, the player who owns the next turn has the highest priority.

The Shanghai

This happens when a card is discarded and can be added to one of the melds that is already on the table. Two possible scenarios:

1. If you intentionally discard a card which could be added to an existing meld, you can call “Shanghai” upon discard. The idea behind is to prevent it from being picked up by the next player or being “May I?”d in that player’s turn. An example would be, when you have not yet formed your initial meld, but wishes to get rid of a card from your hand that happens to fit one of the other players’ melds.

2. In Shanghai rummy contract game, if you discard a card which could be added to an existing meld without calling Shanghai, then any other player (even a player who has not yet put down their contract) may call “Shanghai”, and then add the discard to a meld. The calling player subsequently offers their hand to you face down. You must draw a card from it and put it in your own cards. To continue, the player to your left takes their turn as usual.

“Shanghai” takes precedence over a “May I?” and if a player calls “Shanghai” to protect a discard or to take a discard and add it to a meld on the table, this stops any other player taking that card with a “May I?” on that turn.

Scoring in Shanghai rummy contract game

Penalty points for cards remaining in players’ hands when someone goes out:

• 2 – 7 – 5 points each
• 8 – K – 10 points each
• Aces – 20 points each
• Jokers – 50 points each