How to Play Rummy: A Detailed Guide to Rummy Rules

1. In online rummy card game the objective is to create at least two sequences, out of which one must be a pure sequence. For this, a standard deck of 52 cards is used, from which 13 cards are dealt to each player. The player who makes a valid declaration first wins the game.
2. The remaining cards form a closed deck, which is kept in the center of the table. The cards in the closed deck are not revealed to the players but are kept face down. The top card from the closed deck is picked up and placed face up on the table. That forms the open deck to which players have to discard cards.
3. A random card is selected as the wild joker. All the remaining cards of the same rank/value in other suits also become wild jokers for the game.

1. In Indian rummy, there are 13 cards (randomly chosen from a deck of 52 cards) dealt to each player. The objective is to create at least two sequences, out of which at least one must be a pure sequence. To win at rummy, a player should prioritize creating a pure sequence and discard high-value cards early on if they remain ungrouped, and keep an eye on the opponent’s moves.
2. As per rummy rules, creating at least two sequences, out of which at least one is a pure sequence, is mandatory for a valid declaration. Ways to arrange cards in valid order:-
1. 2 sequences + 2 sets
2. 3 sequences + 1 set
3. All cards arranged in sequences.
3. If you declare without a pure sequence in your hand, you will lose by a big margin as the points of all the cards in your hand will be added up to calculate your penalty points.

What is a Sequence?

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.

Pure Sequence

A pure sequence is a group of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. No card is replaced by a joker in a pure sequence. As per rummy game rules, it is mandatory to make at least one pure sequence for a valid declaration.

Examples of Pure Sequences

A wild joker can also be used in a pure sequence in its original value, but only as a card of its original suit and not to replace any other card. Let us consider the following example: 8❤-9❤-10❤ (WJ).

However, when you have limited wild jokers, prefer using them to create impure sequences and sets instead.

Impure Sequence

An impure sequence is a sequence (3 or more cards arranged in a sequence) in which one or more cards have been replaced by a joker or jokers.

What is a Set?

Three or four cards of the same rank but different suits form a set. A set cannot have more than one card from any suit. Rummy rules allow you to use one or more jokers to replace any other card(s) in a set.

Importance of Jokers in Rummy

One of the most important rummy rules that are taught when you play rummy is how to use jokers. Jokers play a very special role in rummy and can help you win the game. There are two types of jokers used in a game of rummy: printed jokers and wild jokers.

Printed Joker

As the name suggests, a printed joker has the picture of a joker printed on it. This card can be used as a substitute for any missing card and can help you form a set or an impure sequence.

Look at the examples of an impure sequence and a set below to understand how a printed joker can be used in rummy.

Wild Joker

The wild joker is randomly picked at the beginning of the game. When the card is picked, this card along with other cards of the same rank and different suits become the wild joker of the game.

For example, if 4♦ is selected as the wild joker, 4♥, 4♣ and 4♠ will also be the wild jokers of that game.

Just like the printed joker, the wild joker can also be used as a substitute for any missing card and helps form a sequence or a set.

A wild joker can be used in a pure sequence too. Examples of pure sequence with a wild joker are as follows:

K♠-Q♠-J♠ (WJ): Here J♠ is the wild joker and it is used to complete the combination which ultimately forms the pure sequence.

4♥-5♥(WJ)-6♥-7♥: Here 5♥ is the wild joker and it connects 4♥, 6♥ and 7♥. The combination created is a pure sequence.

Rummy Rules for Making a Valid Declaration

Valid Declaration

To make a valid declaration, you have to arrange all 13 cards in your hand in sequences, or in sequences and sets. This should be done following all rummy game rules.

After arranging your cards, you have to finish the game by discarding the last unwanted card into the “Finish” slot and declare your hand. The player who makes a valid declaration first wins the game and gets zero points.

For a valid declaration, you need to fulfill the following three conditions:

Pure sequence: Making at least one pure sequence is mandatory to win a rummy game. A pure sequence consists of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit.

Please note that a printed joker cannot be used as a substitute for any card in a pure sequence. However, a wild joker can be used to create a pure sequence as long as it is a part of the suit. Any declaration made without a pure sequence is invalid and the player loses by a margin equal to the total of the values of all the cards in his/her hand.

Second sequence: Rummy rules make it mandatory to make at least two sequences to make a valid declaration in the game. So in addition to a pure sequence, you need to form a second sequence. It can be either a pure sequence or an impure one, depending on the cards you have.

As explained above, an impure sequence includes a joker acting as a substitute for any other card in an impure sequence. You can create more than two sequences too.

All your cards should be arranged: All the remaining cards that are not a part of the two sequences should be arranged in either sequences or sets. Forming a set is optional but all the cards must be a part of a valid combination.

As mentioned above, a set is a combination of three or four cards of the same rank but different suits. Look at an example of a valid declaration below.

Invalid Declaration

When you declare your cards without fulfilling any of the three conditions above, it becomes an invalid declaration. If you make an invalid declaration, you will lose the game instantly and your opponent will be declared the winner if it’s a 2-player table.

If there are more than two players at the table, the other players will keep playing until one of the remaining players makes a valid declaration. Take a look at the examples of some invalid declarations below.

How Are Points Calculated in a Rummy Game?

Common Rules for Point Calculation

Point Calculation for Losing Players

Action	Penalty Imposed
Invalid declaration (For example A declaration made without creating a pure sequence.)	80 points
First drop (When you drop out of the game before picking even your first card.)	20 points
Middle drop (When you drop out of the game any time after picking your first card.)	40 points
3 consecutive turns missed (When you miss 3 turns in a row, you will be automatically dropped out.)	40 points
Declaring a valid hand second	2 points

Example 1: Game played between 2 players (Player 1 and Player 2)

Suppose two players (Player 1 and Player 2) are playing a points rummy game. Player 1 makes a valid declaration and wins the game. Let us understand the rummy scoring of each player.

Important Terms to Know for Understanding Rummy Rules

Here are some important rummy terms you should know to understand how to play rummy game:

Rummy Table: In order to know how to play rummy online, players play the a free practice game at a virtual table. Typically two to six players can play at a rummy table.

Sorting of cards: The sorting of cards is done at the beginning of the game. Simply click on the “Sort” button and your cards will be automatically arranged in combinations according to suit. Sorting is useful to identify potential combinations like pure sequences, impure sequences and sets.

Deal/Round: In rummy, a deal or round begins with the dealing of cards and ends when a player successfully declares his/her hand.

Dealing of cards: At the beginning of rummy game cards are dealt to each player randomly. This process is known as dealing.

Draw and Discard: In a rummy card game, you can draw or pick cards from the closed deck (pile of cards placed face down) or the open deck (pile of cards discarded by players and placed face up).

On each turn, you have to draw a card and discard an unwanted card from your hand. These actions of picking new cards and getting rid of your unwanted cards are known as drawing and discarding, respectively.

Meld: When cards have been dealt, players have to arrange their cards in sequences, or sequences and sets. The act of arranging cards in such valid groups is known as melding.

Printed & Wild Joker: Jokers are essential to a rummy game. There are two types of jokers: printed jokers (1 per deck) and wild jokers (4 per deck). Both types of jokers can be used as substitutes for any missing cards in a set or sequence. They help to form sets and sequences.

A random card is selected as the wild joker at the beginning of the game. The cards of the same rank in all the four suits also become wild jokers.

Drop: You can choose to opt out of the deal/game at any time during the game. This is known as a drop. You get some penalty points for dropping out of a game/deal.

For example, in a points rummy scoring, you get 20 points for dropping out before your very first move in the game and 40 points for dropping out anytime after picking your first card. Dropping before you play your first move is called a first drop, and dropping in the middle of a game is called a middle drop.

Chips: Chips are used to play practice games on Junglee Rummy. You get free chips when you register on Junglee Rummy and you can reload chips when you run out of them.

When you join a practice game, a predefined number of chips will be deducted from your chip balance. When you win, the virtual chips won are credited to your account.

Declare: Immediately after you finish a game by discarding one of your cards to the “Finish” slot, you have to show your cards to your opponents. This is called declaring your hand.

Cash Tournaments: Cash tournaments are tournaments that you join by paying an entry fee. The winners get real money in prizes. On Junglee Rummy, play rummy online, and also participate in cash tournaments every day throughout the year. Just add cash to your Junglee Rummy account and start playing!

To play cash tournaments, open the app and select “Tournaments” in the game lobby. Select an ongoing tournament and pay an entry fee to join the tournament.

Also check Tips and Tricks to Win Rummy Games

How to Play Rummy: FAQs