Rummy Variations

Rummy Variations: Different Types of Rummy Card Games

Rummy is one of the most popular card games played worldwide. The popularity of rummy as an online strategic card game has grown exponentially in recent years owing to the entertaining rummy variations. In India, one of the most played online rummy games is Indian Rummy, also called 13 Card Rummy.

The rummy game originated in Spain, spreading to America and the rest of the world. Like any other card game, there are several types of rummy cards game varieties. From Gin Rummy to Oklahoma Rummy to 500 Rummy, many rummy card game variations can be played across the globe.

Amongst rummy types popular in India, the 13 Card Rummy, also known as the 'Indian Rummy,' seems to be the most preferred. Each player is handed 13 cards to start the game. In rummy, the primary objective is to be the first on the table to form the combinations and make a valid declaration. In 13 Card Rummy, the aim is to create a minimum of 2 sequences, of which one must be a pure sequence. The rest can be any valid sequence or sets and sequences.

While in 21-card rummy, the Point Rummy variation is used. The number of people necessary to play this rummy card game ranges from 2 to 6. This game is played with three decks of cards and an additional group of Up & Down Jokers in addition to the normal set of Printed and Wild jokers, according to the 21-card rummy rules.

To play Rummy on MPL, download rummy for free and start playing. Learn how to play rummy and get your hands on some easy rummy tips to ace your game.

Types of Rummy Games on MPL

Here are the rummy games you can play on MPL:

1. Points Rummy:
   • Easiest form of rummy.
   • Players play for points, with each card carrying a value.
   • The winner is the first player to make a valid declaration with zero points.
2. Deals Rummy:
   • Fixed number of deals played.
   • The winner is decided based on points at the end of the fixed deals.
3. Pool Rummy:
   • Players start with fixed points.
   • Points accumulate through rounds.
   • Players reaching a pre-determined limit get eliminated.
   • In Pool Rummy, there are three variants: 101 Pool, 201 Pool, and 61 Pool. The rules of the game are as follows:
     101 Pool:
     • Players get eliminated when they reach a total score of 101 points.
   • 201 Pool:
     • Players get eliminated when they reach 201 points.
   • 61 Pool:
     • Players get eliminated when they reach 61 points.
     • The last remaining player wins the game.

Popular Types of Rummy Card Games

Points Rummy

Points Rummy is amongst the most played variants of rummy games in India. The maximum point tally for a losing player is capped at 80 points. Points Rummy is generally recommended for beginners and players looking to enjoy a quick game session or two. It is a rummy variation where players play for points with a pre-decided rupee value. The player who makes the first valid declaration wins the game and takes home the cash based on the total points accumulated by the opponent.

Scoring in Points Rummy

• Ace, King, Queen, and Joker – The face cards carry 10 points each.
• Number 2 to Number 10 – All the numbered cards have points equivalent to their face value. For instance, the 2 and 7 number cards have 2 and 7 points, respectively.
• Printed Joker and wild card do not carry points.

Points Rummy Strategies For Beginners

• It is always better to form the pure sequence right at the beginning.
• Since having a pure sequence in hand is mandatory, the earlier it is formed, the easier it becomes to create the other combinations.
• The Joker is a necessary card to have in a game of rummy. The printed joker or a wild card joker comes in handy to make an impure sequence or a set.

Deals Rummy

Deals Rummy is a game of Points Rummy played for a fixed number of deals or rounds. Amongst the different types of rummy, this is a rummy variation where every player gets an equal number of scores at the start of every deal. When the predetermined deals are over, the player with the maximum scores is declared the winner. In deals rummy, players pay a fixed entry fee to join the table. The entry fee of all players is used to form the prize pool. 

Deals Rummy Strategies For Beginners

• The strategies mentioned under Points Rummy apply to Deals Rummy and Pool Rummy, as they lay the perfect foundation for winning a game.
• To make a valid declaration, a player must create two sequences, one of which must be a pure sequence.
• Regarding two decks, the player must not use a card of the same value for creating a set; otherwise, it will be considered an invalid declaration.

Pool Rummy

Like Deals Rummy, players in a table pool money to start the game, forming the prize pool. Like other types of Rummy, Pool Rummy is played over several rounds. However, this rummy variation plays the game with a pre-decided points tally. The player to reach the points tally gets eliminated. This continues until only one player is left on the table, who is declared the winner. It is popularly played in two versions - 101 and 201 Pool Rummy.

Scoring in Pool Rummy

(Entry Fee x Number of Players) = Total Winnings

The player who manages to push their opponents to score beyond 101 or 201 points will ultimately be the winner.

Online Pool Rummy platforms take a small percentage of the winnings as a fee for facilitating the gameplay, and the winner takes away the prize money.

Calculating the losing Players' Score:

In these kinds of rummy games, if a player forms two sequences (one pure and one impure), only the points of the ungrouped cards are added. A player who makes an invalid declaration is penalized with 80 points. Also, if a player makes a declaration without any sequence, all the cards' points are added. Further, if a player misses three turns consecutively, they are automatically dropped from the game, which is considered a middle drop for points calculation.

The player that reaches a maximum score of 101 points or 201 points, depending on the pool rummy type, gets eliminated from the table

Pool Rummy Strategies For Beginners

The key to avoiding elimination is to score the least possible points at the end of every game. Strategic discarding of cards is essential in Pool Rummy.

Losing high-value cards like K, Q, A, and J is advisable. This helps lower the overall score if the player fails to win the round.

Other Types Of Rummy Games

There are different types of rummy games that you can play using one deck or two decks of cards. Some of them are listed below:

Gin Rummy

Gin Rummy is another popular variation of rummy. It is slightly different from 13 Card and 21 Card Rummy and is played between 2-4 players. In these types of rummy card game, initially, the players are dealt ten cards instead of 13 to make sequences or sets. A player can win without even having a fully valid set of cards. If the player's point value is less than 10, they can 'knock' for winning. The only restriction in this game is that the sequence has to belong to the same suit. Calculate the score with the difference between the winner's deadwood points and the opponent's deadwood. (Deadwood points are collected when the cards are not consecutive cards/ not in a set or sequence)

Contract Rummy

Another type of Rummy variant based on Gin Rummy is the Contract Rummy card game. The game is played in seven rounds, and players collect a specific number and combination of sequences in every round. As the game progresses, the rounds get tougher. In a game of Contract Rummy, the players are dealt with ten cards in the first four rounds, which then adds up to two more cards- 12 cards in the next three rounds. The rest of the rules are similar to Gin Rummy.

Canasta

The Spanish word 'Canasta' means basket. The game originated in Spain and has remained popular worldwide. It has different variations depending on the number of players. Generally, four players make two teams, using two decks of cards and four jokers. The 2s and all jokers become wild cards. The players must form melds with seven cards of the same rank and play all of them. This is termed 'going out.'

Rummikub

Amongst other rummy variants, this one combines Rummy and Mahjong. Popular in the continents of Asia and Europe, Rummikubh uses 104 tiles with numbered tiles between 1 to 13. Players get 14 tiles each and have to make sets after laying down their tiles. The tiles are in different colours like orange, black, red, and blue. There are two tiles belonging to the same coloured and numbered cards. There are two jokers as well. Each player has 14 to 16 tiles, and when their turn comes, they have to put down the tiles from their racks into sets or runs with a minimum of three tiles. If they cannot play, they can draw a tile. The winner is the player who lays down all the tiles first. Another characteristic of Rummikubh is that players can use the already-played tiles.

Oklahoma Rummy

In such types of rummy card game, players are dealt seven cards instead of 10 in Oklahoma Rummy, similar to the Gin Rummy variant. Players can use Jokers to make pure and impure sequences.

Kalooki Rummy

In Kalooki Rummy, each player is dealt nine cards. In this Jamaican variant, the player with the lowest score is declared the winner. A game is played between 3-8 players, and the aim is to go out by melding all the cards and laying them down.

500 Rummy

500 Rummy is popular in America and can be played between 2-8 players. It is also known as Pinochle rummy or Persian rummy. The player that reaches 500 points first is the winner. In these kinds of rummy, each player gets three cards. In 500 rummy, the cards meld in valid sets and sequences get points, while the remaining cards not a part of the meld get penalty points. Ace has 1 point, the face cards carry 10 points, and Joker has 15 points each. Also, players are allowed to take more than one card to form sets.

Shanghai Rummy

Also known as California Rummy, Shanghai Rummy is played between 3-5 players. In this rummy game, each player receives 11 cards and can use 2 Spades and 2 Clubs as Jokers. However, a player can use a joker in only 3 or 4 card combinations. In this rummy game, players must get rid of all their cards by melding and laying them down.

Dummy Rummy

In this rummy card game, all 2s become Jokers along with the four jokers for two decks of cards. There are several combinations you can make with Dummy Rummy. Each player gets 13 cards and must meld them into valid sets and sequences. If a player cannot form a meld, they have to try again in the next hand. It is one of the basic rummy games.

How Does Joker Work In Rummy

In most rummy versions, a joker is used to substitute for a missing card while making impure sequences and/or sets or adding them to the existing melds. You can also use two jokers in a single meld to create an impure sequence. A joker's value is equal to the card that has been replaced. You can learn more about Joker rummy rules to understand the role of Joker in rummy.

Printed Joker (PJ):

There are two printed jokers in a standard deck of cards. If a rummy game uses two decks, there are four printed jokers.

Wildcard Joker:

One randomly selected card becomes a joker before starting a game. All the suits of that value become the wild card jokers. For example, if 6♣ is the selected card, then 6 of ♦, ♠, and ♥ are all wildcard jokers for that game.

Example:

4♣ 5♣ Joker

4♣ 5♣ 8♦ (8♦ is a wildcard used to represent 6♣)

6♦ 7♦ 8♦ (although 8♦ is a wildcard, here it is used as itself)

Benefits of Playing Rummy Games on MPL

Responsible Gaming

MPL ensures that it has stringent measures every step of the way to ensure that the player has a smooth gaming experience. It has multiple layers of security checks and AI algorithms in place to ensure players play responsibly.

No Bots

MPL also ensures that there are no bots while playing rummy. If a bot is detected, that player is banned immediately. On MPL, you can play only with real rummy players.

Instant Withdrawals

Instantly withdraw your winnings from your MPL wallet. Go to the "Wallet" option on the rightmost corner and tap the "Withdraw" button to withdraw using UPI, Paytm, Bank Transfer, etc.

Multiple Variants

MPL Rummy offers multiple variants and cash tables so that you never get bored. You can play Deals, Pool, and Points Rummy variants. MPL also has regular tournaments and leaderboards so that you have opportunities to win real money.

100% Safe & Secure

The MPL Rummy app is RNG-certified and SSL-secured; therefore, the app is completely safe and secure for playing cash rummy games.

Fair Play Policy

MPL has live monitoring for all the games to prevent collusion. It also has an integrated anti-cheat AI to detect any fraud.

Zero Wait-Time

MPL Rummy gives an unparalleled user experience because it has a minimal wait time to start a game.

24x7 Support

MPL has a 24/7 customer support team for all app users.

Steps to Play Different Types of Rummy Game on MPL

You can play rummy cash games on MPL in a few easy steps. MPL offers Indian rummy variants: Deals Rummy, Points Rummy, and Pool Rummy. Follow the below steps to play an online rummy cash game on MPL.

• Search Rummy on the MPL app and tap to open.
• Select the preferred variant from the pool, points, and deals rummy.
• Choose a cash game from a range of cash tables with different prize pools.
• Submit the entry fee and install the game resources.
• Depending on the table you join, the game will begin when all the players have joined.
• Once the game begins, focus on completing the game objective to win.
• The player who wins the game wins the prize pool, which is credited to their account.
• If you win the game, you can withdraw real cash instantly to your bank account.