Learn How To Play Rummy Online- Complete Rules and Regulations

Rummy, a standard card game based on matching sequences, remains to be one of the most popular games available online. Once a person is acquainted with the basics of the game, it can be pretty easy and fun to play and win huge points in an Indian Rummy Game. In an average game of Rummy, players try to improve the cards they are dealt with and arrange them in sequence/sets of 3 or more cards. It is an attractive and interesting card game, which can be played with people from all over the world via an Internet connection. Here are the important things to keep in mind:

Players: 2 or more.

Decks: 1 deck for 2 players, 2 decks for 6 players. 

First Set of Cards: Each player is dealt with 13 cards at random. The first card of the deck is placed in the open deck to signal the start of the game. The rest of the deck is placed facing downwards. 

Sequence: A rummy sequence is a group of 3 or more consecutive cards from the same suit. There are two types of sequences

  • Pure Sequence:

It is made without using Joker and entails a group of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. 

For example, 5♥ 6♥ 7♥  or 3♠ 4♠ 5♠ 6♠

  • Impure sequence:

A group of three or more consecutive cards, formed with the aid of one or more Joker cards. 

For example, 6♦ 7♦ Q♠ 9♦ (Here, Q♠ is serving the purpose of a Joker, and has replaced 8♦ to build an impure sequence.)

Sets: A set consists of at least three cards of the same rank. 

 For example, A♥ A♣ A♦ or 8♦ 8♣ 8♠ 8♥

 Note: The set formed must not repeat cards of the same value from similar suits.

 For example, Q♥ Q♥ Q♦  is an invalid set, as Q♥ repeats itself.

Assignment of Joker: The Jokers come in handy, as they complement the sets/sequences and help the players reach their goals. There are two types of Jokers in a game of Indian Rummy: 

  • Printed Joker: The default Jokers which come in each deck.
  • Wild Card Joker: A Wild Card Joker is assigned in each game. A card is picked up from the pile and is declared as the Joker. If the card picked is the printed Joker, all Aces are declared as Wild Card Jokers. 

Goal: Players need to arrange all 13 cards into sequences/sets. It is essential that each player achieves a minimum of 2 sequences, out of which the first sequence must be pure (arranged without the aid of Joker) and the second can either pure or impure (arranged with the aid of Joker). Players can win a game after they have arranged 13 cards in the valid 2 sequences.  

Point system: 

Dropping in the first round is called the First drop and dropping after a few rounds is called Middle Drop.

  • The first drop credits them with 20 points.
  • The middle drop credits them with 40 points.
  • The last drop credits them with 80 points. 
  • The winner exits the game with 0 points. 

Point distribution by cards: A value is assigned to each card, which is calculated at the end of the game. The total is capped at 80 points. 

Here’s How To Play Indian Rummy:

  1. With so many tutorials and blogs, learning how to play rummy online has never been easier. Each player picks a card from the deck at random. Players are seated as per the card they picked up, with the highest value player sitting next to the second-highest value player and so on. The lowest value player shuffles the cards, and the player sitting left to the dealer draws an unseen card from the shuffled deck and places it onto the table facing upwards. This card is declared the Joker, and all the cards of similar rank are considered Joker throughout the game.
  2. The rule of the game is to deal 13 cards each to the players to start the game.
  3. Players take turns in a counterclockwise motion and pick a card, either from the Open Deck or from the Closed Deck, while simultaneously discarding a card from their assigned cards and placing it on the Open Deck. 
  4. Each player is supposed to assess 13 cards dealt with them at random and strategize their sets/sequences.
  5. Once the cards are studied carefully, players are supposed to pick a card from the closed deck, study his collection and then discard a card to the open-faced pile. 
  6. If a player chooses a card from an open-faced pile, they cannot discard it in the same turn. 
  7. Players are allowed to drop throughout the game. 
  8. Once a player has the required sequences/sets, they can declare ‘Rummy’, and show their cards to the other players. The combinations are studied before the winner is announced.
  9. None of the sets are partially laid out or presented throughout the play. Players are supposed to keep the cards concealed throughout the game, and the only cards out are the ones discarded after each turn. 
  10. The ultimate goal of the players is to form a sequence with the help of cards available.
  11.  Players with an unpromising hand can decide to pack up their cards and drop out as the game progresses. A first drop or a middle drop can save them a heavier point accrual at the finale of the game. 
  12.  If all the players except one have folded, the remaining player is declared the automatic winner. 
  13.  If the game is stuck because no one is able to consolidate sets/sequences, then the game is declared void, and players are no longer obligated to pay.