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How To Play Rummy 500
Rummy 500 can be played with 2 players or as many as 8. The game requires 1 full deck that includes 2 Jokers which are used as wild cards. If 5 or more people play, 2 full decks (with 4 Jokers) should be used. Each player receives 13 cards and tries to earn points by melding while minimizing penalty points by getting rid of cards. Below, we’ll explain the basic rules for learning how to play Rummy 500.
Turns, Melding, And Laying Off
After each player receives their cards, the rest of the deck is placed facing downward to form the stock. The first stock card is turned facing upward and forms the discard pile. The first player begins the round by either taking the newly-upturned card from the discard pile or an unrevealed card from the stock. He then has the choice to meld, if he is able. His turn ends when he discards a card.
Subsequent turns are completed in the same way. However, players can now retrieve cards from the discard pile that are underneath the top card. If they do so, they must also draw every card that lays above it. Plus, they must immediately play the bottommost card in a meld or by laying off.
Players meld by combining groups of cards in the same rank (for example, 4-4-4) or sequences of consecutive cards within the same suit (for example, 9-10-J clubs). They can also lay off during their turn by building on melds that have already been played. While drawing and discarding cards are both mandatory, playing melds and laying off cards are not.
Scoring
The round ends when the stock is exhausted or a player is able to get rid of every card (by melding, laying off, or discarding). Then, points from played melds are totaled and added to players’ scores. Points from cards that are still held are also totaled and subtracted from their scores. Face cards equal 10 points while numbered cards are counted by their face value. Aces are counted as 15 points unless they’re used as a low card in a sequence meld (i.e. A-2-3). In that event, they’re counted as 1 point. The first player to collect 500 points wins the game.
Memorizing the rules of the game is only the first step in learning how to play Rummy 500. Over time, you’ll develop a strategy that leverages the opportunities in each round.
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For more information on Rummy 500, check out Rummy 500 rules!
To learn how to play more Rummy games, check out the following pages:
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