Want to explore the different variations of the rummy game? Understand the differences between points rummy, pool rummy, and deals rummy and start playing these online rummy variations.
What is the most fascinating aspect about rummy games that makes it so popular? Is it the fun element, the thrill and excitement it brings, the skills that it tests for you, or something else? One more aspect is the availability of several online rummy game variants. Yes, you heard it right. It is not just one game that you get to play, but different varieties of the same game.
While the end objective of these different rummy types is generally the same with regards to grouping of the cards, the variations can be in terms of slight difference in rules, number of cards with which they are played, and so on. If you have started playing online rummy in recent times, you would do well to note that some of the most popular and easy rummy game variants are points rummy, pool rummy, and deals rummy. But how do you go about playing these games? What are the ground rules that separate these games and make them exciting for you? Let us find out below.
Points Rummy
As the name indicates, this is one of the most fast-paced rummy variants that is played with points. It is quite easy to understand, and you can finish playing this game in just a few rounds. You can consider points rummy as a simple variant of 13 cards Indian rummy. You can win this game by being the first player on the table to declare. Here, the prize for the winner is determined by the total cumulative points of all players on the table who didn’t win.
Objective of this game:
To complete forming at least two sequences (one of which has to be a pure sequence) in hand along with any number of sets. To emerge as the winner, you need to be the first player on the table to declare by clicking on the ‘Declare’ button.
Some important rules or pointers:
- You can play this variant between two to five players on the table using two decks of cards, with each of them consisting of one printed joker.
- Typically, 13 cards are dealt to each of the players after a proper shuffling of the cards.
- As the game starts, you take turns to pick a card from the deck (or the discard pile) and discard a card.
- You can drop out of this game during your turn without picking up a card.
- If you drop the game in your first turn, you get a disadvantage of 20 points, and if you drop it after your first turn, you get a disadvantage of 40 points.
- The player who makes his score/points zero, is declared as the winner. All other players (active till the winner is declared) get points as per the value of cards left, which is capped at 80 points.
Pool Rummy
This is another one of the most popular types of rummy games – a variant of the 13 cards Indian rummy. Here, the prize is fixed at the start by adding up the fixed contributions from every player on the table.
Objective of this game:
It is the same as discussed above for points rummy.
Some important rules or pointers:
- You can play this game with up to five players as well.
- You can choose which version of this game you wish to play – 101 pool or 201 pool. In the case of 101 pool, you can get eliminated from the game once your score touches 101 points and the elimination happens in 201 pool when you touch 201 points.
- Most of the rules regarding game play remain similar to points rummy, as discussed above.
- You can drop out of the game at any time during your turn. You get a disadvantage of 20 points when you drop from 101 pool in the first turn, and 40 points when you drop after the first turn. In 201 pool, it is 25 points for your first turn drop and 50 points for your drop after the first turn.
- Another additional feature of this game is the split prize option. There are two kinds of split – Auto and Manual. Split option only comes when certain conditions are met. In manual, user’s have to make the decision. In auto split, it automatically splits when conditions are met.
Deals Rummy
Deals rummy is an exciting online rummy game variation of 13 cards rummy where you play for a fixed number of deals.
Objective of this game:
It is the same as discussed above for points rummy.
Some important rules or pointers:
- You pay a fixed fee that forms the overall prize and you get allocated a score to start playing for a predetermined number of deals/rounds. The winner of every round wins all the score which is lost by the opponents for that round. You can become the winner of deals rummy if you have the maximum score at the end of all pre-decided deals.
- In the case of two player deals rummy, you cannot drop from the game. You get dropped automatically when you miss two consecutive turns (through timeout).
- When you play this variant with more than two players, the rules for dropping are same as those applicable for points rummy. If you timeout for two turns, you get dropped automatically.
Final Thoughts
All the three online rummy game variants discussed above are played with 13 cards. The rules for these rummy game variations are more or less the same with slight differences. It is not difficult to understand all of these – however, if you are an absolute beginner, you can start playing points rummy and then explore pool rummy or deals rummy. Start practicing these different rummy types today on MPL and experience ultimate fun and excitement.
