What Are The Different Types of Rummy?
Rummy, without a doubt, is India’s favourite card game. And, ever since rummy was incorporated in games apps, it has become more accessible. Hence, its popularity has soared. Rummy has been around for many years and has travelled across the globe. It is no surprise then that different countries modified the game and different versions of rummy emerged. While the fundamental rules are the same across the spectrum of rummy, some individual rules are unique. And, because rummy is online now, you can play any version of the game you want.
Before you decide which variant you want to try, let us give you a brief introduction to some of the most popular types of rummy:
13 Card Rummy
13 card rummy is played by a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 6 players. In this version, 13 cards are dealt to each player. There are 52 cards in a deck and 2 decks are used. Players have to arrange their 13 cards into at least 1 pure sequence with a supported impure sequence and the remaining cards into any combination of sets and sequences. Jokers are used in 13 card rummy and can take the place of any missing card while forming sets and sequences.
13 card rummy has three sub-types:
Points Rummy: In this version, the participant plays for points. There is a pre-decided monetary value for each point. The person who groups his/her cards into valid sets and sequences first wins an amount equal to the pre-decided points’ value multiplied by the total points of opponents.
Deals Rummy: You play with chips that are distributed to players at the start of the game. When you participate in deals rummy, deals or rounds are pre-determined. Once a player has grouped all cards into valid sets and sequences and pressed the declare button, the deal ends and the winner gets the chips of opponents. Then the next deal begins. When all the deals are played, the person who has the highest number of chips wins.
Pool Rummy: There are two types of pool rummy - 101 and 201. If players score 101 points or 202 points, then they are eliminated. The person who has accumulated the least number of points or the only one left standing after all others have been eliminated is the pool rummy winner.
21 Card Rummy
This is one of the most challenging versions of rummy. It is played with 21 cards (each player) and 3 decks. The person who first organizes his/her cards following certain rules wins:
1) 3 pure sequences (3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit without a Joker) and the remaining cards into any combination of sets and sequences
2) 8 Jokers in one group
3) 8 dublees (a dublee is a pair of 2 cards of the same rank and suit or two Jokers) in 8 different groups
4) 3 tunnelas (a tunnela is 3 cards of the same rank and suit) in 3 different groups
Jokers are used in 21 card rummy. There are 3 printed Jokers. The topmost card from the stack after all the players had been dealt their cards is the cut Joker. And, all the cards of a similar rank as the cut Joker from all 4 suits become Jokers. This game also uses upper and lower Jokers (if 5 of Clubs is the cut Joker and you have 4 of Hearts and 6 of Hearts, then they will be the lower and upper Jokers). A Joker of the same suit along with the upper and lower Jokers forms a marriage. Notably, a marriage wins you 100 points and that is a huge help because in 21 card rummy if your score drops below 120, you crash out of the game.
Gin Rummy
Immensely popular among rummy players, gin rummy is also one of the simplest versions of the card game. It is mostly played between 2 participants with 1 deck of 52 cards. Each player gets 10 cards and these have to be arranged into any combination of sets and sequences with a minimum of 3 cards in each. When the value of your unmatched cards (that are not arrayed into sets and sequences) is less than 10, you can opt to ‘knock’. If the value of your opponent’s unmatched cards is more than 10, then you win. But, if the value of your opponent’s unmatched cards or deadwood is less than 10, then you will lose.
These are just some of the most-loved types of rummy played in India. On an app like First Games (FG), you can learn and become a champion of rummy by playing as many free games as you want. And, once you start playing cash games and tournaments, you can make a lot of money in your spare time.