All About 13 Card Rummy Game

What is 13 Card Rummy?

13-card rummy, also known as Paplu, is a popular card game in India. In this game, each player gets 13 cards from a deck of 52 cards. The game can be played by 2 to 6 players, and either one or two decks may be used, depending on the variant. There are also two types of jokers: a Printed Joker (which comes with the deck) and a Wild Joker (chosen at random at the start of the game).

The goal of 13-card rummy is to arrange your cards into sets and sequences to win. You can use jokers to help complete your combinations. There are different versions of the game, such as Points Rummy, Deals Rummy, and Pool Rummy, but the objective is always the same: organize your cards and make a valid declaration. If you're wondering how to play rummy, this guide will walk you through the basics and help you get started.

Why is 13-Card Rummy So Popular in India?

13-card rummy is popular in India because it’s easy to learn and quick to play. It’s fun for beginners but also requires strategy, keeping experienced players engaged. The game is social and can be played online for real money. With different versions like Points, Deals, and Pool Rummy, there’s always something new. Whether for fun or in tournaments, 13-card rummy offers endless entertainment, making it a favorite in India.

How To Play 13-Card Rummy?

Objective

In 13-card rummy, your goal is to arrange your 13 cards into sets and sequences. To win, you must have at least two sequences, and one of them must be a pure sequence (without any jokers). Once you’ve arranged your cards correctly, you can declare your hand to win.

Gameplay

1. Dealing:
   At the start of the game, each player gets 13 cards. In online rummy or the 13 card rummy app, the cards are dealt automatically.
2. Sorting:
   After you receive your cards, you can sort them to make it easier to create sets and sequences. If you play on MPL, the 13 card rummy game often has a button that automatically arranges your cards for you.
3. Drawing & Discarding:
   On your turn, you draw a card from either the deck or the discard pile. After that, you must discard one card and place it in the discard pile.
4. Declaration:
   Once you’ve arranged all your cards into sets and sequences, you can declare your hand. To declare, you need two sequences (one must be pure), and the rest of your cards should form sets or impure sequences. After declaring, you discard your last card.

Winning

The most important step to win a 13-card rummy game is to make sequences and sets for a valid declaration. Deciding the winner in each variant of 13-card rummy may vary slightly.

• In Points Rummy, the first player to declare with zero points wins.
• In Pool Rummy, the last player left with points under 101 (or 201) wins.
• In Deals Rummy, the player with the highest score at the end of all the deals wins.

Basic Terminologies in 13 Card Rummy

Before you start to play rummy, you must learn the basic terms used in the 13-card rummy game. Here are some of the most common rummy terms used in the game:

• Open deck: The discarded cards form the open deck. When the top card from the closed deck (Draw Pile) is picked and kept face-up beside the draw pile, it forms the open deck. The open deck is also called the Discard Pile.
• Closed deck: The cards that remain after dealing are placed face-down to form a closed deck.
• Dealing: The distribution of 13 playing cards to each player at the beginning of the game is called dealing.
• Sequence: A combination of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit forms a sequence. There are two types of sequences - pure and impure. To win a rummy game, a player must have at least two sequences, including a pure sequence.
• Set: A set is formed with three or more cards of the same rank but of a different suit. Jokers can also be used in sets.
• Pure Sequence: A pure sequence consists of a group of three or more cards of the same suit, arranged in consecutive order. A wildcard or a printed joker cannot be used to make a pure sequence. For example, K(Clubs), Q (Clubs), J(Clubs), 10 (Clubs) make a pure sequence.
• Impure Sequence: An impure sequence is a group of three or more cards of the same suit and includes at least one wildcard or joker as a substitute for one of the cards. For example, K (hearts), Q(hearts), J(hearts), and Joker make an impure sequence.
• Melding: Arranging the cards in sequences and sets is termed as melding.
• Drop: When a player quits using the ‘Drop' option, it is called a drop. It is wise to drop if you have a weak hand. There are two types of drops – first drop and mid drop. When the player drops at the beginning of the game without picking a card from the Draw Pile, it is termed the first drop. If the player drops anytime after picking at least one card from the Draw Pile, it is termed as the mid-drop.
• Joker: One of the most crucial cards in the 13-card rummy game, the Joker is used as a substitute for missing cards in an impure sequence or set. There are two types of jokers - printed and wild.
• Deadwood: The cards that aren't a part of any combination are called deadwood.

13 Cards Rummy Rules

1. Deck: The game uses a standard deck of 52 cards.
2. Players: 2 to 6 players can play the game.
3. Objective:
   To win, a player must form at least two sequences, with one being a pure sequence (a sequence with no joker). A pure sequence could be 3♠-4♠-5♠. A second sequence or a set can be impure, using a joker. an Impure sequence could be 7♥-8♥-♠ (joker).
4. Invalid Declaration:
   If a player does not form a pure sequence, their declaration is invalid. If a player forms 4♠-5♠-6♠ (valid pure sequence) and 7♥-8♥-9♦ (no pure sequence), the declaration would be invalid.
5. Scoring:
   • Face Cards (Ace, King, Queen, Jack) are worth 10 points each. If you have King of Hearts in your hand, it counts as 10 points.
   • Number Cards carry points equal to their face value. 7♣ is worth 7 points, and 3♦ is worth 3 points.
   • Jokers have 0 points.
6. Drops:
   • First Drop: 20 points. If you drop from the game before picking any cards, you incur 20 points.
   • Middle Drop: 40 points. If you drop after drawing cards, you incur 40 points.

7. Winning:
   A player wins by declaring their hand with zero points. If you have only valid sequences and sets, and no remaining cards in hand, you win with 0 points.

   13 Card Rummy Points Calculation

   

   In a 13-card rummy game, the winner gets zero points, which is good because points are considered bad. If you declare your cards correctly, you get zero points and win. Losing players get points based on the cards left in their hands. In points rummy, the most a player can get is a negative score of 80 points.

   If you have bad cards and want to avoid losing a lot of points, you can use the "Drop" button to leave the game early. If you drop at the beginning, it's a "first drop" and you get 20 points. If you drop in the middle, it's a "middle drop" and you get 40 points.

   In 13-card rummy, cards are ranked from high to low: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2. Face cards (K, Q, J) and Aces are worth 10 points each. Numbered cards are worth their face value. For example, the King of Hearts is worth 10 points, and the 5 of Spades is worth 5 points.

Variants of 13 Cards Rummy

The 13-card rummy game, also called Indian Rummy, is popular specially due to its three fun rummy variations - Points, Pool, and Deals Rummy. MPL helps you with easy 13 card game download, where you can start playing any of these variants online.

Starting with Points rummy (the easiest rummy variant for beginners), here are the three variants of 13-card rummy:

Points Rummy

Points rummy is one of the most basic rummy variants where the players play for points starting with a pre-decided rupee value. The player who wins the game has to get zero points while making a valid declaration. The points of the losing players are calculated based on the cards that are not grouped in any sequence or set. The winning amount is calculated basis the sum of all points lost by opponents multiplied by the pre-decided rupee value of points.

Pool Rummy

In the pool rummy cash game, the players enter the table pool with a certain fee to begin the game. Pool rummy involves two variations – 101 and 201. In the 101 pool, the first player to score 101 points gets eliminated. Similarly, in the 201 pool, the first to score 201 points gets eliminated. The player who survives until the end with the least or zero points wins the game. The winning amount is calculated based on the entry fee multiplied by the number of players.

Deals Rummy

Similar to the points rummy game, deals rummy has a slight modification. The players play for a fixed number of predetermined deals. The winning amount is calculated based on the entry fee multiplied by the number of players.

For better clarity, you can also look at the table below to understand the differences between the Objective, Scoring, and Winnings of the 3 variations of the 13-Card Rummy

How To Start Playing 13 Card Rummy on MPL?

Here's a step-by-step guide for new users to start playing 13 Card Rummy on MPL. Follow these steps for 13 Card Rummy Game App Download:

1. Download the App by scanning the QR code on MPL's Rummy page.
2. Open MPL App: Open the MPL app on your device.
3. Sign Up/Log In: If you're a new user, sign up by entering your details. If you're an existing user, log in to your MPL account.
4. Navigate to Rummy Game: Search for rummy and tap to open the Rummy game.
5. Watch How to Play Video: If you are a beginner, we recommend watching the "How to Play" video. Watch this video to understand the game better. You can choose to watch in English or Hindi options.
6. Choose Rummy Variants: Select the type of 13 Card Rummy variant you want to play. You can choose from Pool, Deals, or Points Rummy.
7. Select Lobby: Choose a lobby that suits your skill level or preference. Beginners can get the hang of the game by playing free rummy games before stepping into the world of cash games.
8. Start Playing: Once you enter the selected lobby by submitting the entry fee for cash games, you can follow the rummy rules to start playing.
9. Winning on MPL: Use your rummy skills to make the right moves and win the game! Winning may involve creating valid sets or sequences, and the player with the best strategy often becomes the winner. Enjoy your game on MPL!

Winning Tips for 13 Card Rummy

As mentioned earlier, winning the 13-card rummy game is about using the right rummy tips and tricks. If you're new, grasp the basic rules and learn some tricks. Practice with free rummy lobbies to upgrade your skills.

• Arrange your cards at the start. This makes it easier to see possible combinations and manage your cards. You can also use the “Sort” button in the 13 card rummy app.
• A pure sequence (three or more consecutive cards of the same suit) is needed to declare your hand. Focus on making this first, as no joker can be used here.
• Cards like Ace, King, and Queen can be risky if they don't fit into any set. It’s better to discard them early if they don’t help with a sequence.
• Pay attention to what cards your opponents pick or discard. This can give you clues about their strategy and help you avoid giving them cards they need.

Difference between 13 Card Rummy and 21 Card Rummy

FAQs

Can I practice 13 Card Rummy before playing with real money on MPL?

Yes, you can practice 13 Card Rummy for free on MPL before playing with real money. Simply tap on the free lobby and play with real players online to upgrade your skills or for leisure.

What happens if you get disconnected during an online 13-Card Rummy game?

Different platforms have various rules, but usually, players get a certain time to reconnect. If not, the system might consider it as a fold or auto-play. Therefore, you must have a stable internet connection for smooth gameplay.

Is there any age limit for playing 13 Card Rummy online?

Typically, players must be at least 18 years old and above to play 13 Card Rummy online.

Are there any variants of the 13 Card Rummy game?

On MPL, you can play three variations of the 13-Card Rummy game: Deals Rummy, Points Rummy, and Pool Rummy.

Are there any time limits for making moves in 13 Card Rummy online?

Yes, most online platforms have a time limit for each move to maintain the pace of the game and make it interesting and engaging.

What is the golden rule of 13 card rummy?

The golden rule of rummy is to successfully form a valid declaration with at least two sequences, including a pure sequence.

Can I earn money by playing rummy?

You can win real cash by playing rummy cash game on MPL. Choose from multiple variants, cash lobbies, and rummy tournaments to earn real money.

Which rummy app gives free money?

Several apps, such as MPL, offer welcome bonuses or promotional free money that can be used to play games on the platform.

Which online rummy is genuine?

Genuine platforms are licensed and regulated. MPL is RNG and SSL certified. The app also has an anti-cheat AI to detect fraud and prevent collusion.