• Rules For Playing Rummy
• Rules For Playing Rummy Royal Game
• Rules For Playing Rummy With Two Decks
• Free Printable Rummy Rules

Here you'll find the official game rules for the popular game Tile Rummy.

Rummy is a card game that is played with two decks of cards with total of two Jokers. To win the rummy game a player must make a valid declaration by picking and discarding cards from the two piles given. Certain versions of rummy have rummy rules on how many pure sequences must be produced. For example in 21 cards rummy, you need to create at least 3 pure sequences. Whereas, as per 13 cards rummy rules, you need to produce at least 1 pure sequence. The rest of the cards can be arranged into any combination of sets and sequences.

Different releases of the game included slightly different game rules. All these variations are described below.

All game rules and variations are also supported in the download game RRRummy. With RRRummy, you can play the same type of games, solo against the computer, or together with friends and relatives.

You can download RRRummy from this site.

Start of the game

The game is played with 106 numbered tiles. Tiles are numbered 1-13 in four different colors, each tile appearing twice; and there are two Jokers.

All tiles are shuffled and placed on the table, face down. Each player takes one tile; the player who has the highest value, gets the first turn.

Then these tiles are put back onto the table, and each player takes 14 tiles. The remaining tiles will form the stock.

Playing your tiles

You play your tiles in melds (groups) on the table, in two possible ways:

1. You play a run if you play three of more tiles of the same color, with numbers in sequence, like 456 or 910111213.

   A 1 is only valid in front of a 2, and never after a 13. So this is not valid: 12131.

2. You play a set if you play three or four tiles with the same number, in different colors, like 777 or 1111.

   All colors must be different, so this is not valid: 444.

In each turn, you may take tiles that are already on the table and combine them with your own tiles to form new melds. At the end of your turn, however, all tiles on the table must be part of valid runs or sets again.

It is not allowed to take tiles that were on the table at the start of your turn, and put them back into your hand.

Using Jokers

Jokers are wildcard tiles that can represent any other tile. You play Jokers in the same way as you would play the tile they stand for, for example: 4*6 or 77*7.

Many releases of the game box contain rules that impose special restrictions on the use of Jokers.

All these restrictions are also supported in the computer download game RRRummy.

• In the most lenient variation, you may use and rearrange Jokers in any way you like, without any restriction other than that each tile must end up being part of a valid meld.

  Games in RRRummy that use this rule: Pup Rummy, Easy Rummy

• A popular variation is that you must replace the Joker with the matching tile, before you can use it anywhere else.

  In a set of three, the Joker can be replaced by any of the missing colors, e.g. in 22* you can release the Joker with either a 2 or a 2.

• Most of the times the previous rule is used, there is an additional restricton that the matching tile must come from your hand. You cannot replace the Joker by a tile that was already on the table.

  Games in RRRummy that use this rule: RRRummy, Tiles 50, Dutch Rummy

• Often the game is played with the additional rule that you cannot take away tiles from a meld that contains a Joker, unless you replace the Joker by its matching tile first.

  Games in RRRummy that use this rule: RRRummy, Tiles 50

• When you have replaced a Joker with the matching tile, an additional optional restriction lets you only use it in a new meld with your own tiles. So with this rule, you cannot add a Joker to an existing meld.

  Games in RRRummy that use this rule: Tiles 50

Your turn ends

When you have played all the tiles you can (or want to), you say 'Done!'. Then the player at your left will get the turn.

If you didn't play any of your tiles in your turn, then you have to draw another tile from the stock. Your turn still ends, so if you can play that new tile, you will have to wait until your next turn to play it.

Your first melds

Before you can play anything else in a game, you must play one or more new melds with a total of 30 or more. For example: 91011, or 333356*.

Jokers in these melds count as the tile they stand for.

Only when you have played a total of 30 or more in new melds, you may add tiles to other melds or rearrange tiles that are on the table. If you can play new melds but they don't add up to 30, then you have to draw another tile from the stock and wait for your next turn.

Once you have played 30 or more in new melds, then in subsequent turns you can play anything you like.

Rules For Playing Rummy

• In some editions, the rules mention a minimum of 50, not 30.

  Games in RRRummy that use this rule: Tiles 50

Penalty for invalid moves

When you end your turn and not all tiles are part of a valid meld, or when you did something else invalid, for example add a tile to another meld before having played your initial 30 points, then you have to put back all tiles to where they were at the start of your turn. Then you have to draw three tiles from the stock, and your turn ends.

Winning the game

When you have played all your tiles in valid melds, so you have no tiles left, then you win the game.

All players add up the numbers of their tiles, whereby Jokers count as 30. The winner of the game adds to his or her score the total of all tiles of the other players; the other players each subtract their individual total from their score.

Before starting to play, players have to agree whether they play a set number of games, or for a given amount of time, or until one player reaches a target score. The winner of the match is the player who has the highest score.

The timer

Not included in the box, but available as an optional extra, is an egg timer.

When you play with a timer, each player only gets 2 minutes to complete their turn. When your 2 minutes are up before all tiles are part of a valid meld (again), then you have to put back all tiles where they were and you have to draw three penalty tiles from the stock.

In RRRummy, you can play any game with an optional timer, varying from 20 seconds to 2 minutes.

Ultimate Guide to Rummy (aka 'Rum')

Rummy is one of the most popular classic card games in the world. Often referred to as 'basic rummy” or 'traditional rummy,” or just 'Rum,' it's easy to learn and play once you get the hang of it. Though it's a simple game, playing rummy is exciting and there's a decent amount of skill involved.

How to Play Rummy: Rules & More

Rummy is played with 2-6 players. It is played with a standard 52-card deck and aces are low.

Players take turns dealing when playing a two-player game. When playing with three or more players, whose turn it is to deal rotates clockwise every round. The player who deals first is chosen at random and how many cards dealt to each player depends on the total number of players.

• 2 players: 10 cards each
• 3-4 players: 7 cards each
• 5-6 players: 6 cards each

The dealer deals cards one by one then begins the discard pile by placing the following card face-up in the middle of the table. The dealer then places the rest of the deck face down next to it, forming the stock. Players then are permitted to look at their cards and sort them.

The goal of Rummy is simple: get rid of all your cards first.

Players can rid their hand of cards in three ways: they can meld, lay off, and discard.

• To meld, a player takes multiple cards from his or her hand and places them face-up on the table. That combination of cards then stays there. Melding is the quickest way to get rid of cards.
• Sets (sometimes called groups or books) and runs (sometimes called sequences) are the two valid types of melds in Rummy.
• A set, book or group is 3 or 4 same-ranking cards.
• Example: 10 of spades, 10 of diamonds and 10 of hearts
• Example: 6 of clubs, 6 of spades, 6 of diamonds, and 6 of hearts
• A run or sequence is 3+ consecutive cards of a matching suit. Consecutive cards of different suits do not constitute a valid sequence.
• Example: 3 of spades, 4 of spades, and 5 of spades
• Example: 9 of hearts, 10 of hearts, Jack of hearts, and Queen of hearts.
• To lay off, add cards in your hand to already-existing melds.
• Example: To a set of a 10 of spades, 10 of diamonds and 10 of hearts, a player could add a 10 of clubs.
• Example: To a run of a 3 of spades, 4 of spades, and 5 of spades, a player could add a 2 of spades to the beginning or a 6 of spades to the end.
• However, players may not rearrange any melds as they lay off.
• Example: If a set of the 6 of clubs, 6 of spades, 6 of diamonds, and 6 of hearts and a run of the 3 of spades, 4 of spades, and 5 of spades are both on the table, a player couldn't move the 6 of spades from the set to the run in order to lay down a 7 of spades.
• To discard, put one of your cards in your hand face-up on the discard pile. Players signal the end of every turn by getting rid of a card in this way.

Once a player has laid down all of his or her cards, the other player's cards are totaled up and added to the previous round's total. The rounds continue in this manner until one player reaches or goes over a target score and the rummy game is over. Then, the player with the lowest score wins.

Players take turns, rotating clockwise, starting with the person to the left of the dealer. In a two-player game, players alternate turns.

Each turn includes the following, in this order:

1. Drawing. Each player must start his or her turn by adding a card to his or her hand. Players can choose to take the first card from the discard pile or the stock pile.
2. Melding. After beginning his or her turn by drawing a card, a player may lay a valid set or run down if he or she has one. Players can only put down one meld per turn (see Variations of Play). (Melding is optional)
3. Laying off. After melding, players can add on to runs or sets already melded by any player. Players can lay off as many cards per turn as they'd like. Laying off is optional as well.
4. Discarding. To signal that his or her turn is over, a player must discard a card from his or her hand to the discard pile. If a player picked up the card from the discard pile at the beginning of his or her turn, that player may not discard the same card in the same turn.

When the stock runs out, the discard pile is shuffled, turned face-down and the top card is turned face up next to it. Play continues. (See Variations of Play for alternate practices)

The round immediately ends when a player gets rid of all cards in his or her hand, or 'goes out.” That player wins the round.

Once the round ends with a player going out, total up the other players' cards as follows:

• Kings, Queens, Jacks, and 10s: 10 points
• Number cards: face value
• Aces: 1 point

The total value of the cards left in each losing player's hand is recorded and added to the previous round's total. The points are penalty points.

When any player reaches a previously agreed upon target score (often 100), the player with the lowest score wins. (See Variations of Play for other scoring options)

Strategy

Here are some tips and tricks for how to win Rummy:

• Get rid of face cards and other high-value cards. If you can, do so early on in the game. If not, at least do so towards the end when you notice that your opponent is about to run out of cards. This means you'll run your own score up less.
• Mathematically, it's easier to make a run than it is to get 3 of a kind. So if you're forced to discard either a card that could later form a run or one that could be part of a set, it's better to discard one that could later form a set.
• Pay attention to what your opponent does. If he or she grabs a 10 of spades from the deck, you can bet that they probably either have a 10 already or are trying to complete a run of spades. Do your best to block them from getting rid of their cards!
• Keep in mind that a run can have more than 3 cards in a row. Sometimes, the best way to get rid of cards fast is to form a 5- or 6-card run.

These are just the basics. For more in depth strategy of Rummy, check out White Knuckle.

Variations of Rummy

Looking to mix things up a bit? Here are some alternative house rules you can use. Be sure to discuss and decide upon any variations among fellow players before starting a game.

Instead of playing to a target score, players can decide to play to a set number of rounds. In this case, the player with the least amount of points after the set number of hands is the winner.

Some play that players are allowed to lay down any number of melds during each turn. This is a very common variation; be sure that all players are on the same page about how many melds can be played during each turn before beginning a game.

Many also give a player bonus points if he or she goes out in one turn or 'going rummy,” as they call it. When a player 'goes rummy,' the hand's score is doubled.

Some don't allow a player to lay off cards until he or she has laid down a meld. This is also a very common variation.

The standard rules dictate that aces are only low. Hence, a run of Ace, 2, 3 would count, but a run of Queen, King, Ace wouldn't. Some let aces count as either low or high. When this rule is implemented, aces count for 15 points rather than 1 point, since they're more useful.

Even when this rule is implemented, aces can't be both high and low at the same time, such as in a King, Ace, 2 run. (Some allow these sort of runs, but it's rare)

Standard Rummy doesn't use jokers. Some play that jokers can be used as wild cards that can replace any other card to form sets and sequences. When this rule is implemented, jokers are valued at 15 points and can be used by other players once they're on the table.

Some require players to discard a card even at the end of their last turn. Playing with this rule, a player wouldn't be permitted to meld or lay off all of his or her cards since he or she couldn't finish by discarding one.

In old rummy rules, the discard pile isn't supposed to be shuffled before being reused as stock. However, this version of play isn't very fair because without a shuffle, any player who can memorize the discarded cards in order will have a clear advantage. Due to this, most card game books now recommend shuffling the pile before continuing play.

In both instances, using the discard pile as new stock over and over has other disadvantages. If each player hoards cards that other players want, each player could draw from the pile and discard the card he or she just drew. Theoretically, this sort of game could go on forever. To avoid that sort of repetition, players might consider limiting how many times they reshuffle the discard pile per round.

Rules For Playing Rummy Royal Game

The discard pile is never reused In a variation of rummy called block rummy. Once the stock pile runs out, the game is over and all players score their remaining cards.

In a common variation of traditional rummy, only the winner scores points after each round. The winner then gets the total number of points from all the cards in the hands of the losing players. When playing this way, the game still ends once a player reaches a target score. The player who reaches it wins the game.

Others play that the winner wins real cash from the losers according to how many points they each have in his or her hand. When playing this way, the game would end after an agreed-upon number of rounds instead of once a certain score is reached.

Glossary of Terms

Block rummy: a variation of rummy in which the discard pile is never reused

Book: 3 or 4 same-ranking cards. Example: 10 of spades, 10 of diamonds and 10 of hearts. One of two types of melds in rummy. Also called a group or set.

Discard: to play a card from your hand on top of the discard pile, signaling the end of a turn.

Gin rummy: a popular version of rummy played with two people. Often confused with traditional rummy.

Go out: To get rid of the last card in your hand, to win and end a round

Go rummy: Going out in a single turn by melding or laying off an entire hand.

Group: 3 or 4 same-ranking cards. Example: 10 of spades, 10 of diamonds and 10 of hearts. One of two types of melds in Rummy. Also called a book or set.

Indian rummy: a popular version of rummy from India played with two decks and wild cards.

Lay off: to add one or more cards from your hand to an already-existing meld

Meld: to place multiple cards from your hand face-up on the table. There are two types of acceptable melds in rummy: sets (also called books and groups) and runs (also called sequences).

Rummy 500: a popular version of rummy in which players play to 500 and score according to cards showing and cards in hand

Run: 3+ consecutive cards of a matching suit. Example: 3 of spades, 4 of spades, and 5 of spades. Also called a sequence.

Sequence: 3+ consecutive cards of a matching suit. Example: 3 of spades, 4 of spades, and 5 of spades. Also called a run.

Rules For Playing Rummy With Two Decks

Set: 3 or 4 same-ranking cards. Example: 10 of spades, 10 of diamonds and 10 of hearts. One of two types of melds in Rummy. Also called a book or group.

Stock: the face-down pile from which players can draw a card at the beginning of each turn

Free Printable Rummy Rules

If you get bored here, we have plenty of other games to play! Maybe go play the card game hearts or the card game spades or the card game solitaire!