ALL CARD GAMES
INTRODUCTION
A strategic game for two players. Form runs and sets as quickly as possible while also trying to predict the cards the other player is collecting.
HOW TO PLAY GIN RUMMY
Each player is dealt ten cards face down. One card is placed face up to start the pile. Players sort their cards from lowest to highest.
Player one either takes the face up card or passes. If they pass, player two makes the same decision. If both pass, player one picks up a card from the deck.
Once a player has picked up a card they must discard one card onto the pile. They discard a card that is unlikely to help them make sets, e.g. 6, 6, 6 or runs of the same suit e.g. 5, 6, 7.
The next player decides between taking the first card from the pile, e.g. 7 or the deck. They must then discard a card, e.g. K.
If all ten of a player's cards form runs or suits, the player can call 'gin'. They score twenty five extra points. Gin can only be declared when it is the player's turn and before they discard a card.
If a player has Gin, their opponent removes the cards that are sets or runs. They then count the total points in their hand e.q. twelve.
A player can knock to end a round immediately. Excluding sets and runs they must have a score lower than ten points e.g. 2. Their cards left are counted and called 'deadwood'. The other player first removes their sets and runs, they can then add their own deadwood' to the hand of the player who knocked e.g. 7 8.
THE DEAL
Each player is dealt ten cards face down. One card is placed face up to start the pile. Players sort their cards from lowest to highest.
THE PLAY
Player one either takes the face up card or passes. If they pass, player two makes the same decision. If both pass, player one picks up a card from the deck.
HOW TO WIN
Score the points left from opponent’s hands. The first player to reach one hundred points wins.
PICK UP
Once a player has picked up a card they must discard one card onto the pile. They discard a card that is unlikely to help them make sets, e.g. 6, 6, 6 or runs of the same suit e.g. 5, 6, 7.
PILE OR DECK
The next player decides between taking the first card from the pile, e.g. 7 or the deck. They must then discard a card, e.g. K. Players then alternate turns to pick up a card.
CALLING GIN
If all ten of a player’s cards form runs or suits, the player can call ‘gin’. They score twenty five extra points. Gin can only be declared when it is the player’s turn and before they discard a card.
SCORING GIN
If a player has Gin, their opponent removes the cards that are sets or runs. They then count the total points in their hand e.q. twelve. The player who has Gin also gets these points e.g. twelve plus twenty five points.
POINTS PER CARD
KNOCK
A player can knock to end a round immediately. Excluding sets and runs they must have a score lower than ten points e.g. 2. Their cards left are counted and called ‘deadwood’. The other player first removes their sets and runs, they can then add their own deadwood’ to the hand of the player who knocked e.g. 7 8.
COUNTING POINTS
The player who knocked scores the points difference in ‘deadwood’ e.g. they score one point in the example on the left as they had two points and their opponenet three. This is only if their score is lower than their opponents.
UNDERCUT
If a player knocks but has the same or more “deadwood’ than their opponent, this is called an “undercut”. The player that didn’t knock scores
twenty five points plus the difference in “deadwood”.
THE WINNER
Points are counted for each round. The winner of the game is the first player to score one hundred points.
VIDEO OF HOW TO PLAY GIN RUMMY
TIPS
If no cards are left in the deck then the round is cancelled and no points are scored.
STRATEGY
Discarding higher cards as play gets closer to the end of the round is a basic tactic.
EXTRAS
Scoring can also be added across multiple games.
SIMILAR GAMES
- Rummy
- Three 13
FAQ
The most common questions will be added here. Scroll to the bottom of the page to add a question or comment about this game.
