-
Play Now
How To Play Traditional Rummy
The original Rummy game is deceptively simple. Learning how to play traditional Rummy is easy, but the strategy of melding and laying off while maximizing other players’ penalties take time to develop. The game, which uses 1 deck (sans Jokers) can be played with 2 to 6 players. In a 2-player game, 10 cards are dealt to each. Games with 3 or 4 players provide each player with 7 cards. Otherwise, each player receives 6 cards. The goal is for each player to get rid of their cards, thereby penalizing other players for the points held in their respective hands.
Getting Rid Of Cards
Cards can be disposed of in 3 different ways: melding, laying off, and discarding. Melding cards requires that players form groups or runs. A group meld is comprised of 3 or more cards with the same ranking. For example, 4-4-4 and J-J-J-J are legitimate melds. A run meld is a sequence of 3 or more consecutive cards in the same suit. For example, 2-3-4 of spades and 10-J-Q-K of hearts are valid melds.
Players can lay off their cards by building upon previously-played melds. For example, if a 4-5-6 of clubs has been played, a player can lay off his 3 of clubs, building upon the existing meld. Laying off and melding can only be done on a player’s turn and neither are mandatory.
Each player is required to discard a card at the end of his turn. The card he chooses to discard cannot be the same one that was retrieved from the discard pile at the beginning of his turn. If he wishes to discard it, he must do so during a subsequent turn. However, if he has drawn a card from the stock, it can be discarded during the same turn.
Scoring And Winning
Scores are tallied based upon the cards held within each player’s hand, regardless of whether those cards form complete melds or not. Face cards are counted as 10 points, Aces are 1 point each, and numbered cards are scored according to their respective face values. At the end of each hand, the players who are still holding cards, tally up the points of those cards. Those points are added to the score of the round’s winner. The game’s winner is determined by the first player to reach a target score or the highest score at the end of a set number of rounds.
Don’t by fooled by the game’s simple rules. Take the time to develop your strategy while learning how to play traditional Rummy.
Rummy Royal hosts Traditional Rummy games online.
To learn how to play more Rummy games, check out the following pages:
-
Play Rummy Online
