A player 'goes rummy' if he plays all of his cards (in any combination of melding, laying off, and discarding) in a single play, having played no cards at all previously during that hand. When a player goes rummy, all points are doubled for that hand. Like all card games, rummy too is played with 1 or more decks. For example in 13 cards rummy, you will need 2 decks, for 21 cards rummy, 3 decks are necessary. In each rummy deck, there are 52 cards. The cards have ranks and are divided into 4 suits.

• Play Rummy Cube For Free
• What Is Play Rummy Card Games
• What Is Play Rummy Game
• Play Rummy 500

How to Play Rummy: A Beginners Guide To Play 13 Cards Indian Rummy

Now, if you’ve always wanted to get in on the exhilarating rummy action, but didn't know quite how to play rummy, what the game was all about, or indeed what the rules and object of the game was, then you’ve come to the right place, for we’re here to answer all these questions and more for you. After you go through this simple and easy Indian rummy guide, you would be well equipped to get right into the heart of the action, and even win. So let’s get started with this 13 card rummy guide.

• You can play rummy and earn real money in your leisure time. Most of the tourneys have big cash prizes, which you can utilize in many ways. This is why; you.
• Join millions of worldwide players and enjoy a FREE Rummy experience! Home Login Register. Connect with Facebook. Login to Rummy-World Online Connect with Facebook. Email Password I forgot my password. Next time automatically sign me in.
• A free card game you can play in your browser against a computer opponent. Play this addictive game here.

The objective of the game

Put very simply and succinctly, the objective of the game of Indian rummy is to create sequences and sets from the cards you hold in your hand. (We will get into the rules of the game later on in this page.) Creating valid sequences and sets faster than any of your opponents gives you a better chance of winning the game.

Fundamentals of rummy

Before we go headlong into this guide on how to play Indian rummy, and before we get into the intricacies and nuances of the game, it’s important that you understand some basics and fundamentals of rummy first. Here they are:

1. Rummy is a game played between anywhere from two to six players.
2. Indian rummy is played with 2 deck of cards with 13 cards distributed to each player.
3. The required sequence of cards, as prescribed by the rules of the game should follow this strict order or 'sequence' - Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen and King.
4. The value of ‘Face cards’ i.e., the Jack, the King and the Queen is 10 points each.
5. The value of an Ace card is 10 points when making sets.
6. Number cards are worth the same number of points as the number printed on them.
   For example:
   i. 6♥ is worth 6 points
   ii. 7♦ is worth 7 points
7. When forming sequences, an Ace can be considered to be ‘1’ or a face card.
8. A sequence is a group of three or four consecutive cards (as described in point 2), but these cards should all be from the same suit.
   Examples of valid sequences:
   i. 6♦ 7♦ 8♦ 9♦
   ii. Ace♣ King♣ Queen♣ Jack♣
   
9. A set is made up of three or four cards from different suits, but of the same value or ‘face card’.
10. Examples of valid sets:
    i. 8♦ 8♥ 8♣ 8♠
    ii. Queen♣ Queen♦ Queen♥
    
11. Jokers: When players play rummy with Jokers, a joker can be used as a substitute for another card and the players can use them in place of any other cards to form a set or sequence.
12. There are two kinds of Jokers:
    i. Wild Joker: This is simply a random card chosen by the players from the closed deck, and this card is deemed to be the Wild Joker for that game.
    ii. Printed Jokers: Jokers that have ‘Joker’ printed on them from the packs of cards
13. Example of a valid sequence with a Joker:
    5♦ 6♦ Joker 8♦ (Joker used in place of 7♦) Example of a valid set with a Joker: 6♣ 6♦ 6♥ Joker (Joker used in place of 6♠) 1. Please note that these rules apply to both Printed and Wild jokers
    2. Jokers cannot be used to make Impure sequences, but not to form Pure sequences
14. The 'dealer',i.e., the player responsible for dealing the cards is chosen at random at the start of the game, and each player will be given a chance to be the dealer for each subsequent game.

How to play rummy

Now that we’ve clearly understand the fundamentals of the game, let’s get into the rules of the game and tell you how to play rummy! So here we go!

1. To begin with, the packs of cards are shuffled (number of packs is determined by the number of players involved - look at point ‘b’ above).
2. The dealer then proceeds to deal 13 cards to each player in a cyclical motion.
3. A ‘closed deck’, consisting of the remaining cards after all players are dealt their 13 cards each, is placed face down on the table and known as the closed deck.
4. The game of rummy begins with one card placed in the open deck and a card selected at random as the designated or selected wild joker for the game. The cards in the open deck are placed ‘face up’.
5. Once the cards are dealt, each player in the prescribed order, can either draw a card (pick up a card) from the closed deck and discard one of their own cards to the open deck.
6. The player drawing the card can choose one from the open deck, where he can see the card he’s drawing, or one from the closed deck where the cards are turned face down
7. Every time a player picks a card from either the closed or open deck, he must discard one of the cards in his hand to the open deck.
8. This ‘drawing and dropping’ of cards continues, till a player forms valid sequences and sets and ‘shows’ or ‘declares’ this to the other players by showing all the other players his sequences and sets. After this, the declarer should wait for the other players to do the same. A valid declaration or show garners zero points
9. For each Rummy game, a random card selected from the deck serves as the Card Joker. If by chance a printed Joker is picked during the process then the Ace cards of all the suits serve as the Card Joker for that particular game.
• A valid declaration or show should consist of two sequences (of which one must be pure) and remaining cards can be arranged as sets.
• A valid sequence of not less than three cards from the same suit, but without a joker - referred to a Pure Sequence.
• A valid sequence of not less than three cards from the same suit with or without a joker or jokers. If jokers are used, this is referred to as an Impure sequence.

How points are calculated

1. The aim of the game is to get fewer points than all of your opponents, or no points at all.
2. The winner of the game is the player who has no points or zero points. Therefore, a valid declaration or show garners zero points.
3. The second player to declare with a valid declaration will earn the player two points.
4. As previously explained, all the face cards and Aces will earn a player 10 points. Jokers of both kinds (Wild and Printed) are worth zero points, while all the other cards will earn a player the same number of points as the number printed on the card.
5. If a losing player does not have two sequences including a Pure sequence, then all of his or her cards are added up to determine his or her score - the maximum points in this case is capped at 80.
6. However, if a losing player does have two or more sequences, as well as a pure sequence, only the cards out of the sequences will be considered when his or her score is being calculated.
7. A wrong declaration or invalid show will earn player 80 points.
8. If a player is dissatisfied with the cards he or she is dealt, they can choose to ‘drop’, that is, concede the game at their first turn before drawing a card. This action is called a First Drop and will earn a player 20 points, and he or she ‘drops out’ and does not participate in that game.
9. Any drop after the First Drop is called a Middle Drop and will earn a player 40 points.
10. A player will get 40 points if they leave the table after drawing a card from the closed deck, and this action will considered as a Middle Drop. However, if the player drops out without seeing the card, it will considered as a First Drop and will only earn them 20 points.
11. Points for dropping based on the type of rummy:
    101 Pool Rummy:
    • 20 points prior to drawing a card known as the ‘First Drop’.
    • 40 Points after drawing a card known as a ‘Middle Drop
    
    201 Pool Rummy
    • 25 points prior to drawing a card known as the ‘First Drop’.
    • 50 Points after drawing a card known as a ‘Middle Drop

Types of sequences

Any guide on how to play 13 cards rummy online must include a clear explanation as to what a sequence is. As mentioned before, there are two types of sequences, they are Pure Sequences and Impure sequences.

Pure sequences: : A consecutive group of three or more cards of the same suit, created without the use of a printed or wild joker. Here are examples of Pure Sequences:

Example 1:
7♠ 8♠ 9♠

As you will notice from Example 1 above, there is a consecutive valid sequence formed by cards of the same suit. Also, the sequence does not contain a joker

Example 2:
Ace♣ 2♣ 3♣ 4♣

From Example 2, you will notice once again that there is a valid sequence of cards from the same suit as dictated by the rules of the game, also no jokers are used. In this example you will also notice that sequences need not be only three cards, but could involve four cards as well.

Impure sequences: This sequence can be defined as a group of consecutive cards of the same suit, but which is only possible with the use of a joker (printed or wild joker). Let’s look at a couple of examples of Impure sequences.

Example 1
4♦ 5♦ Joker 7♦

In Example 1, you will notice that either the printed joker or the wild joker has been used to form a valid sequence of the Diamond suit beginning from 4♦ and extending upwards to the 7♦. The joker has been used in place of the missing 6♦.

Example 2
King♠ Queen♠ Jack♠ Joker

In Example 2, the joker has been used to complete a sequence from the Spades suit, standing in place of the 10♠.

Valid Sets

A how to play card rummy guide must also clearly explain what a valid rummy set is. Therefore, a set can be defined as a group of cards (Three or Four cards) of the same value but from different suits. A valid set however, should not contain two or more cards of the same suit. Please note however that a set should not have more than four cards, and a joker can be used to complete a valid set.

Example 1

King♣ King♦ King♥ King♠

In Example 1, you will notice that the cards used to form the set are of the same face value or printed value i.e., the King. You will also notice that each card in this set belongs to different suits.

Example 2

Joker 7♦ 7♥ 7♠

In Example 2, a joker has been used in place of the 7♣ to complete a valid set of four cards. You will notice that the cards in the set have the same face value, but belong to different suits.

Invalid Sets

A set is said to be invalid if two or more cards of the same suit are used to form the set of three or four cards. Let’s look at examples of invalid sets:

Example 1

4♠ 4♦ 4♥ 4♠

From Example 1, you can clearly see that even though the set has been formed by cards of the same face value or the same printed value, the card of the ♠ suit has been used twice, and therefore it is considered as an invalid set.

Example 2

Queen♣ Queen♦ Queen♥ Queen♦

In Example 2, again you will notice that even though each card is of the same face value, there are two cards from the ♦ suit. This therefore, cannot be considered as a valid set.

Valid declaration

A declaration is a pivotal and culminating and crucial part of the game when you play rummy for cash or otherwise. Therefore, it’s important to know what a valid declaration or show is with examples. A valid declaration should use all 13 cards and must contain:

● Two valid sequences
● Two valid sets
● At least one Pure sequence

Examples of valid declarations

Example 1

Ace♦ 2♦ 3♦ 4♦ - Valid sequence 1

5♠ 6♠ 7♠ - Valid sequence 2

9♦ 9♠ 9♣ - Valid set 1

Queen♠ Queen♦ Queen♣ - Valid set 2

From Example 1, you will notice that all 13 cards have been used to form two valid sequences and two valid sets. Also, there is at least one Pure sequence. Therefore, this is a valid declaration.

Play Rummy Cube For Free

Example 2

3♥ 4♥ 5♥ 6♥ - Valid pure sequence 1

What Is Play Rummy Card Games

Jack♣ 7♥ Jack♥ - Valid sequence 2 where 7♥ is the wild joker (Impure sequence)

Queen♠ Queen♦ Queen♣ - Valid set 1

9♠ 9♥ 9♣ - Valid set 2

In Example 2, there are two clear sequences, one pure sequence, and the second one an Impure sequence which uses the joker to complete the sequence. You will also notice that there are two valid sets as well - all of this ensures that this is a valid declaration

Invalid or wrong declarations

An invalid declaration is one where at least one of the sequences and/or sets are invalid and/or does not contain the correct number of sequences and sets. Let’s look at some examples:

Example 1 - Where 9♥ is the wild joker

A♥ 2♥ 3♥ 4♥ - Valid pure sequence

5♣ 5♠ 9♥ - Valid set 1 with wild joker

6♦ 6♠ 9♥ - Valid set 2 with wild joker

7♦ 7♣ 7♥ - Valid set 3

In Example 1, all the sequences and sets are valid, however, there is only one sequence. In order to make a valid declaration, there must be at least two valid sequences.

Example 2 - Where an invalid set is used

A♣ 2♣ 3♣ 4♣ - Valid sequence 1

5♣ 6♣ 7♣ - Valid sequence 2

7♥ 7♦ 7♥ - Invalid set

9♦ 9♠ 9♣ - Valid set 2

From Example 2, you will notice that 7♥ has been used twice to form an invalid set. As such, this invalidates the who declaration, even though the other criteria has been met. With that, we complete this rummy guide. Now we do hope you are now all set to enter the rummy arena! You could even begin with a few practice games on RummyCentral. Nothing comes close to the sheer excitement, thrill and rush of playing rummy. This game of skill is so very interesting and engrossing that it continues to be one of the most popular games in India. What’s more, once you add the possibility of winning some cash - the stakes are raised by several notches, and the excitement builds so very deliciously. Now, we do hope to see you at RummyCentral, where you can get stuck into some truly exciting rummy action!

So, what is a rummy in blackjack?

The word has multiple blackjack implications.

But the way the question is phrased, it usually refers to a side bet that you can make. I’ll explain that below.

Then I’ll explain other uses of the word rummy as it relates to blackjack.

So, what IS a rummy in blackjack?

A rummy in blackjack consists of 3 cards of the same rank, 3 cards of adjacent ranks, or 3 cards of the same suit — the 3 cards consists of your 1st 2 cards and the dealer’s up-card.

The rank is the number or character on the card. For example, if you have a 4, 4, and the dealer has a 4, too, you have a rummy.

Adjacent ranks are just the numbers next to each other according to the card ranks, as follows: A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A.For example, if your 2 cards are the 7 and 8 (of any suit), and the dealer has a 9, you have a rummy.

The suit is the club, diamond, heart, or spades symbol on the card. For example, if you have the 7 and 8 of hearts, and the dealer has an ace of hearts, you have a rummy. In poker terms, this is a 3-card flush.

Why Does a Rummy Matter in Blackjack?

In some casinos, you can place an optional side bet called a “rummy bet.” If you get a rummy, you get a payout that varies by casino, but it’s often in the range of 9 to 1.

If you don’t get a rummy, which is most of the time, you lose that side bet.

Also, you should know that regardless of whether you win or lose the rummy side bet, the rest of the game plays out normally. The rummy side bet doesn’t affect the main action, and the main action doesn’t affect the rummy bet.

Rummy Side Bet Odds

Assuming the payout is 9 to 1, the house edge for the rummy side bet is 4.14% (according to Bovada).

Those are terrible odds, by the way. This should surprise no one. Side bets in blackjack are almost always terrible.

The house edge for the main game in blackjack is below 1%. That assumes you’re using perfect basic strategy, which isn’t hard to do anyway.

Generally, you should stick with bets that have a lower house edge rather than a higher house edge.

It’s a common side bet available at sportsbook-associated online casinos like 5Dimes and Bovada.

Rummy – The Costa Rica Blackjack Alternative

In Costa Rica, blackjack is illegal. To try to get around this, many casinos in Costa Rica offer a variation of rummy as an alternative.

Here’s how to play casino rummy in Costa Rica:

You play rummy at a blackjack-sized table with a dealer and room for 7 players. The rules vary by casino, but these are pretty standard.

The dealer uses between 4 and 6 decks of standard playing cards. You get 2 cards, just like in blackjack, but you DO NOT get a 3 to 2 payout for a blackjack.

The points are still determined the same way as in blackjack. The ace and the 10 (or a face) card still count as 21 points.

The dealer is required to stand on a soft 17 or higher. You’re allowed to take early surrender, and you can double down on any 2 cards — even after splitting.

You can also re-split pairs, including aces, but with a limit of 4 hands.

You are NOT allowed to hit split aces, though.

What Is Play Rummy Game

And instead of the bonus payout for the blackjack, you get bonuses if you have a 3 of a kind or a 3-card straight flush, as follows:

• 3 of a kind pays off at 3 to 1, but it pays off at 5 to 1 if it’s suited or if the 3 cards total 21.
• A 3-card straight flush pays off at 3 to 1, but it totals 21, you get 5 to 1.

Also, you get the bonus payouts even if you bust.

The bonus payouts apply to your total amount bet after doubling.

But…

If you split earlier in the hand, you don’t get a bonus payout at all.

How to Play Rummy Blackjack

If you don’t know anything at all about how to play blackjack, here’s how it works:

The dealer gives you 2 cards and also takes 2 cards for herself. She deals one of her cards face-up, so you know what cards you have and you know one of the cards she has.

Any total of 22 or higher is a bust.

The cards are worth their ranking — a 7 of spades is worth 7 points.

The face cards are each worth 10, and the ace is worth 1 or 11.

Your goal is to beat the dealer. You do this by having a total higher than the dealer or by still being in the hand when the dealer busts.

You act first, and you decide whether to take additional cards (hitting) or stand on the total you have.

And, you also have the option of doubling down or splitting.

To double down, you double the size of your bet and take one (and exactly one) more card.

To split, you must have 2 cards of the same rank. You put up an additional bet, and the 2 cards each become the 1st card of 2 new hands.

Rummy Blackjack Odds, the House Edge, and Basic Strategy

You measure the odds in a casino game by the house edge. That’s a long-term estimate of how much you’re expected to lose on each bet. In blackjack games, including Costa Rica rummy, the house edge assumes you’re playing the game with optimal strategy.

That’s called basic strategy.

In Costa Rica rummy, the house edge is 1% if you play with perfect basic strategy.

That’s a great number — the casino games with the worst odds have a house edge over 30%.

Most gamblers deviate from basic strategy on a hunch or because they don’t have it memorized.

This adds between 2% and 4% to the house edge, so it’s in your interesting to memorize basic strategy.

Luckily, for rummy blackjack, basic strategy is easy:

Splitting

The 1st task is to see if you have a hand you can split. This means you must have a pair. You’ll never split these pairs:

• 2s
• 3s
• 4s
• 5s
• 10s

You’ll split the following pairs in the following situations:

• 6s if the dealer has a 5 or 6 showing
• 7s if the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6 showing
• 8s if the dealer has an 8 or lower showing.
• 9s if the dealer has a 9 or lower showing (with the exception if the dealer has a 7)
• aces unless the dealer has an ace showing

Hard and Soft Hands

If you don’t have a pair, you play your hand based on whether you have a hard or soft total. A soft total is one in which you have an ace that you can count as 1 or 11.

If you don’t have an ace, or if you have an ace that must count as 1 to keep from busting, you have a hard hand.

Here’s how you play your soft hands:

Play Rummy 500

• Always hit a soft 12 or lower.
• Hit a soft 13 unless the dealer has a 5 or 6 — in those cases, double down.
• Hit a soft 15 or 16 unless the dealer has a 4, 5, or 6 — in those cases, double down.
• Also, hit a soft 17 unless the dealer has a 3, 4, 5, or6.
• Stand on a soft 17 unless the dealer has a 9 or higher, in which case, hit.
• Always stand on a soft 19 or higher.

Here’s how you play your hard hands:

• Always hit any hard total of 8 or lower.
• Hit a hard 9 unless the dealer has a 3, 4, 5, or 6 — in that case, double down.
• Double down on a hard 10 or 11 unless the dealer has a 10 or ace — in that case, just hit.
• Hit a hard 12 if the dealer has a 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, or 10. Otherwise, stand.
• Stand on a hard 13, 14, 15, or 16 if the dealer has a 6 or lower. Otherwise, hit.
• Always stand on a hard 17 or higher.

If you want to learn more about the house edge, check out Tim’s post about how expected value can be negative or positive.

You can decide how much money to bring to the casino by understanding the game, the house edge, and its volatility. Read more about that here.

Where to Go Next

If you want a more detailed basic strategy with no mistakes, visit the Wizard of Odds page on the subject. He offers a convenient colored strategy table.

Conclusion

That’s about everything you could hope to want to know about what a rummy in blackjack is. That covers both the side bet that’s often available at sports books. And it also covers the Costa Rica game that’s supposed to be a substitute for real blackjack.

If you’re looking for something easier to learn, check out my post about the easiest casino games to learn.