Rummy Sets

Rummy is a card game that has been popular with Indians. It is a skill game that includes arranging and sorting cards in sequences or sequences and sets. After the game begins, each player works on organising their own cards and making a valid declaration before any player. To make a valid declaration, players need to follow simple rules. While sequences play a crucial role, you can also make rummy sets.

Learn what rummy sets are and how to form them.

How to Create Rummy Sets

A set is a group of three or four cards with the same rank but different suits. Jokers, too, can be used in a set. Printed and Wild Jokers are used to form sequences and sets. On the one hand, sequences can be pure or impure, while sets do not have a particular preference. Creating sets in a game is also optional, not mandatory.

Example of Sets:

Set of 3 Cards:

Set of 4 Cards:

How to Make a Rummy Card Set with Jokers

Sets can contain jokers, that are both printed and wild. Given below are some examples of sets that include both types of jokers.

Set with a printed joker:

For instance, you have two cards of the same rank, for eg: say 5♦ and 5♣, and you choose a printed joker (PJ) on your next turn. You can combine these cards to form a set: 5♦-5♣-PJ.

Here the printed joker acts as a replacement for 5 ♥ or 5♠.

Set with a wild joker:

For examples, you have two cards of the same rank, namely 2♠ and 2♥, and you pick a wild joker on your next turn. These cards can be grouped to form a set: 2 ♠-2♥-4♦ (WJ).

Here the wild card has been used as a replacement for 2 ♦ or 2♣.

Rummy Set Rules

Maximum of 2 sets makes a valid declaration. If a declaration has more than 2 sets, it is an invalid declaration and the player is served a penalty of 80 points in points rummy.

Both printed jokers and wild jokers can be used to create a set.

The minimum number of cards that a set can include is 3. A set is not allowed to have more than 4 cards.

Including the printed and wild jokers, the maximum number of cards you can use in a set is 4.

Creating sets in rummy is not mandatory but optional.

Making Multiple Sets in Rummy

In a 13 card rummy game, you can make one or two sets. A valid declaration cannot have more than two sets. A valid declaration cannot have more than 2 sets. If you include more than two sets, you'll be handed over a penalty of 80 points.

Example of a valid declaration with two sets

Set of 4 Cards:

Here 3♥-4♥-5♥ is a pure sequence, while Q♣-K♣-PJ is an impure sequence. A♥-A♠-A♣-A♦ form set 1 and set 2 consists of 8 ♦-8♠-3♣ (WJ).

Example of a valid declaration with only one set

Here 7♠-8♠-9♠ and A♦-2♦-3♦ are pure sequences, whereas J♣-Q♣-PJ is an impure sequence. 4♥-4♠-4 ♦-4♣ is a set consisting of 4 cards.

Rummy sets and sequences in a valid declaration

Here is an instance of a valid declaration with sequences and sets.

Suppose the following cards are dealt to you:

Set of 4 Cards:

In this hand, there are two pre-made sequences: J♦-Q♦-K♦ (pure sequence) and 9♣-10 ♣-PJ (impure sequence). Work on the remaining cards to create pure, impure sequence or sets.

The possible combinations in a valid declaration, including rummy sets, are as follows:

1 pure sequence + 1 impure sequence + 2 sets

2 pure sequences + 2 sets

2 pure sequences + 1 set

2 pure sequences + 1 impure sequence + 1 set

1 pure sequence + 2 impure sequences + 1 set

3 pure sequences + 1 set

Invalid Declaration due to Invalid Sets

The declaration is invalid when a player declares their hand without following the rummy rules. To make a valid declaration, you need to have two sequences out of which one has to be pure. Two sets can be included in a valid declaration.

An example of an invalid declaration because of invalid sets is as follows:

Reference: https://www.jungleerummy.com/about-rummy/rummy-sets

The above declaration is invalid as 4♥-4♦-4♦ does not make a set. If there was 4♠ or 4♣ in place of 4♦, it would have been a valid set, and your declaration would have been valid as there are three pre-made sequences: 5 ♠-6♠-7♠ (pure sequence), Q♥-K♥-PJ (impure sequence) and 9♣-10♣-PJ-Q♣ (impure sequence).

Value of Valid Sets in Rummy

The player who scores zero points by making a valid declaration first wins the game. The valid set costs zero points and a valid sequence also costs zero points. The penalty of the losing player depends on the cards that the losing player has and when the winner makes a declaration.

The rules can vary from one variation to another. However, the primary role of rummy card game remains the same. Only the point value calculation changes slightly.

Rummy Card Game Rule: The Basic Objective

What is a basic rummy rule? Each player has 13 cards to starts with. They have to make valid sequences which is 3 or 4 successive cards of the same suit. Impure sequences, which is 3 or 4 successive cards with joker, and triples which are 3 cards of the same value, but different suits. Players must have a pure sequence to win.

Rummy Game Rule: The Card Categories

In rummy, the card category from low rank to high rank:

Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King. The Royal cards (Jack, Queen & King) are valued at 10 points. When forming the sets, ace is valued as 1 point or a face card.

Examples of sets

A♥ A♣ A♦ (In this set, all the Ace are of different suits, make a valid set.)

8♦ 8♣ 8♠ 8♥ (Rummy set is formed with four 8 cards of different suits.)

9♦ Q♠ 9♠ 9♥ (Here Q♠ has been used as wild joker replacing 9♣ to make set.)

5♦ 5♣ 5♠ PJ (Printed joker replacing 5♥ to make set.)

5♦ 5♣ Q♠ PJ (Here Q♠ has been used as wild joker replacing 5♠ & Printed joker replacing 5♥ to make set.)

5♦ 5♣ PJ Q♥ Q♠ (This is a set of 5 cards with Printed joker & Q♥ as wild joker replacing 5♠ 5♥ and one more wild joker Q♠ to complete 13 cards grouping.)

Typical Example: 2♥ 3♥ 4♥ 5♥| 5♣ 6♣ 7♣ 8♣ | 5♦ 5♣ PJ Q♥ Q♠ (Set of 5 cards is made to complete the grouping of 13 cards and make a valid declaration)

Rummy Sequences and Its Rules

A rummy card sequence is a run of three or more cards of the same suit. There are two types of sequences in Rummy: Pure Sequence & Impure Sequence.

There are mainly 5 types of sequence in rummy which are:

Pure Sequence

Impure Sequence

Triples

First Life

Second Life

Pure Sequence Rule

A pure sequence is 3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit. A pure sequence in rummy is important as without it, a player cannot win the game of rummy.

Some examples of a pure sequence in rummy include:

9♥ 10♥ J♥ (or)

5♠ 6♠ 7♠ 8♠

Impure Sequence Rule

An impure sequence in Rummy is a group of three or more cards of the same suit. One of the cards will be a Joker Card.

Some examples of an impure sequence in rummy include:

2♦ 3♦ Q♠ 5♦ (Where Q♠ is a joker)

10♠ 4♥ Q♠ K♠ (Where 4♥ is a joker)

Triples Rule in Rummy

When three cards of the same rank and in different suits are collected. A set of triples can also be considered an impure sequence. Jokers are also used to form triples.

An example of a triple is:

A♦ A♠A♥

First Life Rule

The first pure sequence creates the the first life in rummy.

Second Life Rule

A second life refers to either the second pure sequence or an impure sequence. Second life cannot be created without the first life in Rummy rules.

Other rummy set rules

Barring the typical sets, in some games, you can have four cards. So, if you have a rummy set of four cards and you use a Joker, so in total, it becomes a 5 card set.

Some versions like Indian Rummy do not allow the same rank and suit to repeat twice.

For example

K♥ K♥ K♦ (There are two Ks of the same suit ♥)

7♠ 7♥ 7♦ 7♠ Q♥ (The wild card Q♥ is valid but two 7♠ makes it invalid.)