Rummy Points System

Rummy Points and Scoring System

Rummy is played by two to six players at a time using one or two standard decks. Each player is dealt 13 cards, which have to be arranged in different combinations, namely sequences, or sequences and sets. Read on to learn how rummy scoring is done.

A player who arranges all his/her 13 cards in required combinations and makes a valid declaration first wins the game and gets zero points.

But how is the rummy scoring done in a rummy game? How does the rummy point system work and why does the winner get zero points? These are some common questions that new players and beginners usually have. In a rummy card game, points have a negative value; hence, as per the rummy scoring system, the winner gets zero points. In other words, the losing player gets a penalty on the basis of the ungrouped cards in their hand at the end of a game.

Read on to understand the distribution of points in rummy.

Each Card Points Value in Rummy

1. In a rummy card game, the cards are arranged from lowest to highest, starting with A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K.
2. Cards 2-10 have the same value as the numbers on the cards. For instance, 5 ♠ carry 5 points, and 8 ♦ carry 8 points.
3. In rummy, Jokers carry 0 points but play a vital role in helping players create valid combinations.
4. The remaining cards, i.e., the face cards J, Q, K, and A, are worth 10 points each.

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).

The table below shows how many points each card is worth.

Value of Jokers in Rummy

In Indian rummy games, jokers play an important role as they can be used to replace any missing cards in an impure sequence and a set. The jokers are also considered trump cards as they are worth zero points in the game. They not only help you to create combinations faster but also help reduce your score.

Here is an example to help you understand how jokers can be used to decrease your score to zero. Suppose you have two consecutive cards, say 7♥ and 8♥, in your hand.

• With printed joker:

Suppose you pick a printed joker on your next turn. You can use the joker to complete an impure sequence (7♥-8♥-PJ).

As this combination complies with the basic rummy rules and is a valid combination, the point value of this combination is zero.

• With wild joker:

Suppose you pick a wild joker, say 9♣ (WJ), on your next turn. You can use this joker to complete an impure sequence: 7♥-8♥-9 ♣ (WJ). This is a valid sequence and it is worth zero points.

Value of Sequences in Rummy

It is impossible to win without a sequence in Indian rummy games. A sequence is a group of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. There are two types of sequences: pure sequence and impure sequence.

• Rummy Points for a Pure Sequence

A pure sequence is a group of three and more consecutive cards of the same suit. It can also have a wild joker but only if it belongs to the same suit as the other cards and completes the sequence in its original value. A pure sequence is worth zero points.

Example:

Suppose you have three consecutive cards of the same suit, say, A♠, 2♠ and 3♠. These cards can be grouped together to form a pure sequence (A♠-2♠-3♠). The value of this combination is zero points.

• Rummy Points for an Impure Sequence

An impure sequence is a combination of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit in which any missing card or cards have been replaced by a joker/jokers. An impure sequence is worth zero points.

Example:

Suppose you have three cards, say J♦, Q♦ and PJ. You can combine these cards to form an impure sequence (J♦-Q ♦-PJ). Since it’s an impure sequence, its value is zero points.

Value of Sets in Rummy

A set is a combination of three or more cards of the same rank but different suits. Both printed and wild jokers can be used to complete a set.

Zero Points System in Rummy

After arranging all the cards, a player has to declare his/her cards. If the declaration is valid, the player wins the game and gets 0 points. Take a look at the following example to understand the point calculation.

Suppose you have made the following combinations and you are about to declare your cards:

You have created a pure sequence (4♦-5♦-6♦), two impure sequences (J♣-Q ♣-PJ and 7♥-8♥-2♠ (WJ)) and a set (3♥3 ♦3 ♣3♠). You discard the 14th card, i.e. 8♣, to the “Finish” slot and declare your cards. For making a valid declaration, you get zero points.

Rummy Points Calculation for the Losing Player

Suppose two players are playing a points rummy game. Player 1 makes a valid declaration first and wins the game.

• Player 1 (Winner)

The player has created two pure sequences (2♣-3♣-4♣ and J♥-Q ♥-K ♥-A♥) and two sets (8♦-8♠-8♥ and 6 ♦-6 ♣-PJ). For making a valid declaration before the opponent, the player gets zero points.

• Player 2

The player has created one pure sequence (7♣-8♣-9♣), one impure sequence (4♥-4 ♦-10♠ (WJ)), and a set (3♠-3♥-PJ). So the value of these combinations is zero. However, there are four cards that remain ungrouped. Therefore, the rummy scoring here will be based on the value of these four cards. In this case, the penalty on the losing player will be: 10 (K ♥) + 10 (Q♥) + 10 (A♣) + 2 (2♣) = 32 points.

Rummy Points Rules

• If a player makes an invalid declaration, he/she not only loses the game but also gets a penalty of 80 points.
• If the losing player has created two sequences including a pure sequence, the rummy points calculation will be based on the ungrouped/unmelded cards in his/her hand.
• Irrespective of the cards in their hand, losing players can get a maximum of 80 penalty points.
• If the cards are not in their favor, players can choose to quit the game and avoid losing by a big margin. This can be done by using the “Drop” option.
• When a player drops without picking even a single card, it is considered a first drop. As per the rummy rules, points awarded for a first drop are 20.
• When a player drops after playing one or more turns, it is a middle drop. Here the player gets a penalty of 40 points.
• When a player misses three consecutive turns, he/she is automatically dropped out of the game and he/she gets a penalty of 40 points.
• When a player leaves the game after picking a card, it is considered a middle drop. The penalty for a middle drop is 40 points.

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