Set-Up
The game of rummy is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. Jokers are usually included as wild cards. At the start of the game, each player is dealt a certain number of cards depending on how many people are playing. For two players, each player is dealt 10 cards. For three to four players, each player is dealt seven cards. For five to six players, each player is dealt six cards.
The remaining cards are placed face down in the middle to form the draw pile. The top card is flipped over and placed face up next to the draw pile to start the discard pile.
Objective
The objective of rummy is to be the first player to get rid of all of your cards. This is done by creating sets and runs.
A set is three or four cards of the same rank, such as three Jacks or four Aces.
A run is three or more cards in sequence of the same suit, such as the 3, 4, and 5 of hearts. Aces can be played low or high, so a run can also be A-2-3 or 10-J-Q-K.
Gameplay
The player to the left of the dealer goes first. They can either draw a card from the draw pile or take the top card from the discard pile. If they choose to take the top card from the discard pile, they must use it to form a set or run before ending their turn by discarding a card from their hand.
The turn then passes to the next player on the left. Play continues in this manner until a player has gotten rid of all of their cards.
Special Moves
There are a few special moves that players can make during gameplay to help them get rid of cards.
If a player has three or more cards of the same rank, they can lay them face up on the table. This is known as a meld and can be added to throughout the game.
If a player has a meld or is able to create one, they can add it to a meld that has already been laid down by another player.
If a player has a card that completes a set or run that has already been laid down by another player, they can add it to the meld to increase their chances of winning.
Winning
The game ends as soon as a player has gotten rid of all of their cards. They are the winner of the game.
If the draw pile runs out before a player has won, the discard pile is shuffled and turned over to form a new draw pile. Play continues until a player has won.
Conclusion
Rummy is a simple yet strategic game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. By following the rules and understanding the special moves, you can increase your chances of winning and have a great time playing with friends and family.
