The traditional or classic Rummy game has been around for centuries. Originally, Rummy was introduced in the 19th-century, and by the 20th-century, the game already had two popular variations – Canasta and Gin. Arguably, as time went by, the game evolved in different ways across the globe. That’s why numerous popular variations of the game exist in different parts of the world. However, one thing remains common – no matter the variant, Rummy is a game about melding cards or similar grouping cards. You can only meld the cards if they’re of the same suit or rank but different suits.
Even though the rules and names of the different Rummy variations vary, the objective is the same. Players have to pick and discard cards to achieve the objective.
If you are tired of playing classic Rummy and want to try something different, keep reading to know more about types of Rummy.
1. Canasta
Canasta means basket in Spanish, and it is a kind of Rummy game whose variations depend on the number of players. Typically, the game is played by four players in two partnerships with two decks of cards and four jokers. All the 2s and the four jokers are treated as wild cards. The game’s objective is to form melds with seven cards of the same rank.
2. 13 Card Rummy
13 card Rummy or Indian Rummy is an extension of Rummy 500 and Gin Rummy. The game is played between two to six players, and each player is dealt thirteen cards. Players have to pick and discard cards to meld the cards into valid sets or sequences.
The game allows the use of Joker cards, and they are used as substitutes for any card. For a player to be declared the winner, they must have one impure sequence (with Joker) and one pure sequence (without the use of Joker).
Each card carries points – aces and face cards are ten points each, joker cards are zero points, and number cards are the same as the number on them. The objective is to meld the cards and reduce points to zero as points carry negative values.
There are three variations of the 13 card Rummy game –
- Points Rummy – Points Rummy is the most basic and simplest format of 13 card Rummy. A session of the game lasts a few minutes, and it is recommended for beginners. It is one of the most sought-after online variants because card lovers get to refresh themselves without spending time. There are tables with different point values in Points Rummy, and once a player declares, the points are calculated.
- Deals Rummy – Played for a fixed number of deals, Deals Rummy gives each player equal scores at the start of the game. When the predetermined deals or scores are exhausted, the player with the maximum score is declared triumphant.
- Pool Rummy – Pool Rummy is played with a predetermined points tally, and players who reach points tally are eliminated. There are two versions of this game – 101 and 201 Pool Rummy. In the former, whichever player collects 101 points, gets eliminated and in the latter, players collecting 201 points get eliminated.
3. Gin Rummy
Gin Rummy is played with a standard deck of fifty-two cards, and it is the easiest of Rummy variations. It is a favorite among European card game lovers.
Gin Rummy is a two-player game, and each player gets ten cards. The cards have to be melded into at least three sequences and sets. The game places one restriction on the players that the sequences must be of the same suit.
4. Marriage Rummy or Paplu
Marriage Rummy is a game of two to five players, and it is played with three decks. Card enthusiasts in India, Bhutan, and Nepal play this version of Rummy.
The Rummy variant uses wild card jokers and no printed jokers, and each player gets twenty-one cards. All the combinations must consist of three cards.
5. Rummikub
Rummikub is a combination of Mahjong and Rummy. Two to four players play it with tiles, not cards. The game is popular in the Americas and Europe, and it uses one hundred and four tiles with numbers one to thirteen in four different colors, such as black, orange, blue, and red. There are also two tiles with the same color and number, and there are two jokers.
Players have fourteen to sixteen tiles in the beginning. Upon their turn, they have to put the tiles down on their racks and make sets of a minimum of three tiles. If they cannot play, they have to draw a tile.
6. 500 Rummy
500 Rummy is a game of two to eight players, and points don’t carry a negative value in this Rummy version. The player who grabs five hundred points is declared the winner.
For this game, three cards are dealt with each player, and the cards have to be melded properly. If you have cards that are not part of the meld, you’ll lose points. Also, players are not restricted to drawing only the top-most card of the open pile, and players can take more than one card.
Wrapping up
There are various variants of the traditional Rummy game because players across the globe keep introducing changes from time to time. However, all of the versions are more or less similar. If you enjoy Rummy, you need to introduce yourself to the world of online Rummy games, where 13 card Rummy is the most popular variant. Thanks to online Rummy, there’s no need to wait for special occasions or friends to enjoy a round of the game. You’ll always find eager online players waiting for you to join their table, and you can play either Pool Rummy, Deals Rummy, or whatever you want.
Read also: Selecting the Perfect Table Game
