Rummy

Rummy

Rummy (also called Basic Rummy or Standard Rummy) is the foundational draw-and-discard game from which Gin Rummy, Canasta, and many other games descend. Unlike Gin Rummy, melds are placed face-up on the table during play and opponents may extend them.

Players and Cards

2–6 players. Standard 52-card deck. Aces may be high or low (agree before play). Face cards = 10 points; numbered cards = face value.

The Deal

Remaining cards form the stock face-down. Top card is turned up to start the discard pile.

Melds

A meld is either:

• Set (Group): 3 or 4 cards of the same rank (e.g., three 7s)
• Run (Sequence): 3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 4♥–5♥–6♥)

The Turn

On each turn a player must:

1. Draw — take the top card of the stock OR the top card of the discard pile
2. Meld (optional) — lay one or more melds face-up on the table
3. Lay off (optional) — add cards to any existing meld on the table (your own or opponents’)
4. Discard — place one card face-up on the discard pile (may be omitted if going out with no remaining cards)

Going Out

A player goes out by melding or laying off all cards in their hand, ending their turn with an empty hand.

Going Rummy

If a player goes out in a single turn without having previously melded or laid off anything during the game, they “go Rummy.” All opponents score double penalty points for their unmelded cards.

Scoring

When a player goes out, all other players count the face value of unmelded cards in their hands as penalty points. Scores accumulate across hands. The player who first reaches a target total (e.g., 100 points) loses; the player with the lowest cumulative score wins.