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Rummy Cards

Rummy Card Game

Rummy is a card game in which the main objective is arranging cards in groups called sequences and sets. Played using 13 rummy cards by each of the players, the game is also known as paplu or Indian rummy in India. It is usually played by two to six players using one or two standard card decks plus jokers. Each player gets 13 cards, which have to be arranged in sequences, or sequences and sets.

If you want to play this 13-card game online, you must first know how many cards in rummy are used and the entire game’s inside out. Read on to understand the game well and learn about its various different formats.

Popularity of the Rummy Card Game

Many of us have grown up playing rummy cards or have played the game at least once at some point in our lives. Still, there might be the other half who are not even aware of how many cards in rummy are required. Though the fact is, it is an extremely popular game in India, known for its unlimited entertainment and fun. In the earlier days, our elders used to teach on how to use rummy playing cards and win the rummy game strategically. Millions of Indians today play the Indian rummy card game every day.

With the advent of online rummy, the popularity of this game started soaring among online gamers. Today millions of players play rummy online to stay entertained as well as to win real money in prizes.

How many cards in rummy are required?

Starting with the basics, in a rummy card game, a standard deck of 52 cards is used. Depending on how many players participate in the rummy game, each player is dealt 13 cards at the very beginning. The objective of the game is to arrange all 13 cards in sequences or sequences and sets. Once all cards have been arranged correctly, the player who makes the valid declaration first wins the game.

Rummy Cards Order

A standard deck of cards comprises 52 cards, exclusive of the Joker, and are divided into two colors: red and black. These cards are further divided into four suits of 13 cards each: Hearts, Diamonds, Spades and Clubs. The cards available in the deck are in the following sequence: A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, and K.

The cards order in rummy from highest to lowest is as follows:

A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

Note:

The ace (A) can form a sequence with 1 and 2 (A-2-3) as well as with Q and K (Q-K-A). Thus, the ace is a little versatile when it comes to the rummy hand order.

Common Terms Used in Rummy

Here are some common terms used in rummy:

  • Joker:
  • A joker is used as a replacement for any missing card in an impure sequence or a set. There are two types of jokers: printed jokers and wild jokers.

  • Sequence:
  • A rummy card sequence is a group of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. There are two types of sequences: pure sequences and impure sequences.

  • Pure sequence:
  • A pure sequence is a group of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. It is a sequence made without jokers replacing any cards in it.

  • Impure sequence:
  • An impure sequence is a group of three or more cards in which one or more consecutive cards have been replaced by a joker or jokers.

  • Set:
  • A rummy card set is a group of three or four cards of the same value but different suits.

  • Drop:
  • When the cards are not in your favor, you can choose to quit the game by using the “Drop” option. This is called a drop. It can help you reduce the margin of loss.

  • Discard:
  • After picking a card from the closed deck/open deck, you have to lay off an unwanted card. This action is known as discarding.

Rummy Card Game Rules

  • Number of players and card decks used:
  • Two to six players take part in a 13-card rummy game. The number of card decks used in a game can be one or two, depending on the number of players.

  • Use of jokers:
  • There are two types of jokers used in this game: printed jokers and wild jokers. The printed joker comes with the card deck. A wild joker is randomly selected at the beginning of the game. All other cards of that value also become wild jokers for that game. For example, if 5 is selected as a wild joker in a game, then 5, 5 and 5 also become wild jokers in that game.

  • Objective:
  • The objective of a 13-card rummy game is to arrange all 13 cards in valid sequences, or sequences and sets, and make a valid declaration before one’s opponents.

Rules of 13 Card Rummy

  • Firstly, as per the rummy rules, every player at the table should have a basic understanding of how many cards in rummy are required. To begin with, 13 cards are dealt to each player as soon as the game starts. Players are required to create at least two sequences, including at least one pure sequence, and arrange the remaining cards in sequences or sets. As soon as the objective is achieved, the player has to declare his/her cards.
  • A player can have at most two sets. Creating sets is optional.
  • The player who wins the game gets zero points. On the other hand, the losing players get a penalty on the basis of the cards in their hands.
  • If a player declares his/her cards without creating a pure sequence, it is an invalid declaration, which results in a penalty of 80 points.
  • Irrespective of the ungrouped cards a player holds, the maximum penalty a player can get in a points rummy game is 80 points.
  • When a player chooses to drop out of the game, he/she incurs a penalty as follows:
    • First drop: 20 points
    • Middle drop: 40 points
    • Three consecutive misses: 40 points

How to Play the Rummy Card Game on Junglee Rummy

Junglee Rummy, a top-rated app, is the most trusted platform to play rummy online. Millions of players play their favorite card game on our app as well as the website on a daily basis. You can choose from free games, cash games and tournaments on our platform or enjoy them all. We offer three different Indian rummy variations: points rummy, pool rummy and deals rummy.

To enjoy playing rummy online, you just have to download the Junglee Rummy app from our official website onto your mobile phone and sign up easily. After signing up on our platform, you will be redirected to the game lobby, where you can find a variety of games, including free games, cash games and tournaments.

If you are a beginner, we recommend you develop good skills by playing our free practice games before you play cash games and tournaments. You can play unlimited practice games using the free chips provided to you. Once you feel confident enough, you can choose a variant of your choice and start playing cash games and tournaments to win real cash prizes.

Junglee Rummy also hosts exciting tournaments where you can win incredible prizes from prize pools worth crores of rupees. You can go to your game lobby and join an ongoing tournament to start playing right away!

FAQs

How many cards are in rummy?

In rummy, a standard deck of 52 cards is used and 13 cards are dealt to each player at the beginning of the game. Every player on the rummy table has to arrange these 13 cards in valid sequence and set in order to make a valid declaration.

Rummy comes in various types, including Indian Rummy, Gin Rummy, Kalooki Rummy, Canasta, and others. Each type has its unique rules and variations.

A standard deck of playing cards has 4 suits or sets of cards: hearts (), clubs (), spades (), and diamonds (). So, for example, 4 is called the 4 of hearts and 7 is called the 7 of spades.

A card with the letter “A” printed on it is called an ace. For example, A is called the ace of diamonds.

A card with the picture of a soldier/knave and the letter “J” printed on it is called a jack. For example, J is called the jack of hearts.

A card with the picture of a queen and the letter “Q” printed on it is called a queen. For example, Q is called the queen of clubs.

A card with the picture of a king and the letter “K” printed on it is called a king. For example, K is called the king of spades.

Rummy order is nothing but the ranking of cards in the 13-card game. The rummy hand in order is as follows:

A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2

There are two types of jokers used in this game: printed jokers and wild jokers. The printed joker comes with the card deck. A wild joker is randomly selected at the beginning of the game. All other cards of that value also become wild jokers for that game. For example, if the 4♥ is selected as a wild joker in a game, then 4, 4 and 4 also become wild jokers in that game. So each deck has 4 wild jokers in a game of rummy. And each deck includes 1 printed joker.

A rummy game is played by two to six players using one or two standard decks and jokers. Before the game begins, each player is dealt 13 cards and the remaining cards form the closed deck and the open deck. A random card from the closed deck is picked as a wild joker and all other cards of the same rank but different suits also become wild jokers for that game. The game begins with players drawing and discarding cards to create sequences, or sequences and sets. The player who arranges all his/her 13 cards in required sequences, or sequences and sets, and makes a valid declaration first wins the game and gets zero points.

Though 21 card rummy rules are similar to the rules of the 13-card version, there are some important differences between 13-card rummy and 21-card rummy, as described below:

Number of cards: It is the most obvious difference between the two variations. The number of cards dealt to players in 13-card rummy is 13 and in 21-card rummy, it is 21.

Number of decks used: The number of card decks used in both 13-card rummy and 21-card rummy depends on the number of players. However, mostly decks of cards are used in a 13-card game and 3 decks of cards are used in 21-card rummy.

Duration: While 13-card rummy is a fast-paced game that usually lasts only for a couple of deals, 21-card rummy usually takes longer to finish as there are 8 additional cards used in the game.

Number of pure sequences required: At least one pure sequence is required to make a valid declaration in a 13-card game. On the other hand, the number of pure sequences required in a 21-card rummy game is three.

Number of jokers: Both printed jokers and wild jokers are used in both the variations of rummy. However, 21-card rummy also uses upper and lower jokers. For example, if 3 is a wild joker in a game, 4 and 5 will be the lower joker and the upper joker, respectively.

21 Card Rummy, sometimes known as Indian Marriage Rummy, is a more intricate version of the game, predominantly played in the Indian subcontinent. The game uses three decks of cards, and players are dealt 21 cards each. It introduces more jokers and specific cards, known as 'Value Cards', which are assigned unique points.

Read Our Latest Blog: 5 Common Aspects of Best Online Rummy Sites

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