SUMMARY of Rummy Rules – Traditional Rummy

Basic rummy rules apply for this variation, unlike gin up to 6 players can play. For two players, each player receives 10 cards, but this is trimmed down to 7 cards when there are 3-6 players in the game. For 2 players, the deal is alternated between players and if there are 3 or more players the deal is clockwise from the dealers left. A turn is generally composed of drawing a card from the stock or the discard pile. The main objective is to eliminate all of the cards by melding (creating sets and runs), laying off and discarding. However, a player may choose not to put down his meld for bonus points. A game ends when one of the players is “going out”or “going rummy.” Targeted score to determine the winner is agreed at the start of the game.

Deck: Composed of 52 Cards

Basic traditional rummy rules apply for this variation. Unlike gin, it can go on as much as 6 players. With the typical deck of 52 cards, each player receives 10 cards, but is trimmed down to 7 when there are 3-6 players available. For 2 players, a turn is done alternately between players. If there are 3 or more players, diretion of turn is done clockwise from the dealers left. A turn is generally composed of drawing a card from the stock or the discard pile. The main objective is to eliminate all of the cards by melding (creating sets and runs), laying off and discarding. However, a playe may choose not to put down his meld for bonus points. A game ends when one of the players is “going out”or “going rummy.” Targeted score to determine the winner is agreed at the start of the game.

Deck: Composed of 52 Cards

Number of Players: 2 – 6 players, however best played with 2-4 players

Cards Points: Ace counts as 1 point; K, Q, J counts as 10 points, the rest of the cards are counted according to face value. Meaning , an 8 of hearts has 8 points.

Number of cards distributed: In traditional rummy rules, like all standard rules that are followed, 10 cards each for 2 players and 7 cards each player, if more than 2 players are playing.

Game Objective: The main objective is to get rid of all the cards in a players hand by creating melds, laying off and discarding of cards. The game continues, until a certain targeted score is met.

Going out or going rummy: When a player has eliminated all of his cards through melding, laying off and discarding, the first one to get rid of his cards becomes the winner. This will force all the other players to stop melding and laying off of cards despite having valid combinations.

Scoring: As soon as one player “goes out,” traditional rummy rules states that, all the other player counts their remaining cards and are added to the winning player. Normally, an Ace has a value of 1 point, but in some house rules, its value is 15 points.

Stock pile runs out: If the stock pile runs out, common rules are followed. The last player to take the card may refuse to take previously discarded card and choose to get it the discard pile by turning it down without shuffling to form the new stock pile.

Melding : A meld is created when a player has successfully created a set (say 3-4 Aces; 3-4 5 of hearts), or a run which is composed of a number sequence in the same suit (3, 4, 5 of hearts, or J, Q, and King of clubs).

Laying off: This is optional, and a player may or may not choose to lay off his card in front of him once he has created a meld.

Discarding: In traditional rummy rules and in all rules accepted by everyone, this is compulsory. A player must discard one card in the discard pile after each turn.

Number of Players: 2 – 6 players, however best played with 2-4 players

Cards Points: Ace counts as 1 point; K, Q, J counts as 10 points, the rest of the cards are counted according to face value. Meaning , an 8 of hearts has 8 points.

Number of cards distributed: In traditional rummy rules, like all standard rules that are followed, 10 cards each for 2 players and 7 cards each player, if more than 2 players are playing.

Game Objective: The main objective is to get rid of all the cards in a players hand by creating melds, laying off and discarding of cards. The game continues, until a certain targeted score is met.

Going out or going rummy: When a player has eliminated all of his cards through melding, laying off and discarding, the first one to get rid of his cards becomes the winner. This will force all the other players to stop melding and laying off of cards despite having valid combinations.

Scoring: As soon as one player “goes out,” traditional rummy rules states that, all the other player counts their remaining cards and are added to the winning player. Normally, an Ace has a value of 1 point, but in some house rules, its value is 15 points.

Stock pile runs out: If the stock pile runs out, common rules are followed. The last player to take the card may refuse to take previously discarded card and choose to get it the discard pile by turning it down without shuffling to form the new stock pile.

Melding : A meld is created when a player has successfully created a set (say 3-4 Aces; 3-4 5 of hearts), or a run which is composed of a number sequence in the same suit (3, 4, 5 of hearts, or J, Q, and King of clubs).

Laying off: This is optional, and a player may or may not choose to lay off his card in the center/infront of him once he has created a meld.

Discarding: In traditional rummy rules this is compulsory. A player must discard one card in the discard pile after each turn.