Rummy

Rummy is a group of games related by the feature of matching cards of the same rank or sequence and same suit. The basic goal in any form of rummy is to build melds which can be either sets (three or four of a kind of the same rank) or runs (three or more sequential cards of the same suit) and either be first to go out or to amass more points than the opposition.

Origin

There are two common theories about the origin of rummy, attributing its origins in either Mexico or China in the nineteenth century. The first is that it originated in Mexico around the 1890s in a game described as Conquian in R.F. Foster's book Foster's Complete Hoyle, which was played with a 40 card Spanish deck and had melding mechanics. The second is that Rummy originated in Asia, and that Rummy was the result of a Mahjong variant named Kun P'ai that was Westernized as Khanhoo by W.H. Wilkinson in 1891. Games scholar David Parlett combines these two theories, and proposes that the Mexican game of Conquian, first attested in 1852, is ancestral to all rummy games, and that Conquian is the equivalent of the Chinese game Khanhoo. The rummy principle of drawing and discarding with a view to melding appears in Chinese card games at least in the early 19th century, and perhaps as early as the 18th century. Rummy variations like Gin and Canasta became popular in the twentieth century. Rummy games are popular in India, and it is likely that Indian rummy is an extension of gin rummy and 500 rum, which originated from the United States. Several theories about the origin of the name "rummy" exist. Some attribute it to the British slang word rum, meaning odd, strange, or queer. Others say the origin lies in the game Rum Poker, or in the popular liquor of the same name.

General features of rummy-style games

Deal

Depending on the variation, each player receives a certain number of cards from either a standard deck of 52 cards, more than one deck or a special deck of cards used for specific games. The un-dealt cards are placed in a face down stack in the middle, which is known as the stock. In most variations, a single card is turned face up next to the stock where players discard or shed cards, and this is known as the discard pile. In 10 Cards Rummy, which is often played with two, three or four players, each player gets ten cards. In rummy games with five players, each player is given six cards. In 500 Rummy, each player is given seven cards. In Indian Rummy, 13 cards are dealt to each player.

Melds

A meld can either be a set (also known as a book) or a run. A set consists of at least three cards of the same rank, for example or . A run consists of at least three consecutive cards of the same suit, as with or . Very few variations allow runs that have mixed suits. In a few variations of rummy, other patterns may be allowed. In some variations the melds (sets and runs) must be 3 or 4 cards, while other variations allow larger melds through the use of longer runs, for example: or, if multiple decks or wild cards are used, or . Wild cards (such as a joker) may be used to represent any card in a meld. The number of wild cards in a meld may be restricted.

Show

In most variations players must put all their cards into at least two melds (though they may be allowed to shed one card to the discard pile before showing). A player who has melded all cards reveals those still held and submits them for validation. All other players reveal their melds and deadweight. The action of submitting the cards is called Showing.

Scoring

After a successful show, the winner or all players score their hands. In most variations numbered cards have certain assigned points and the royal cards (J-Q-K) have assigned points and the A often has a different point value. Scoring often involves each player adding up points in their melded cards (sets and runs) and deducting points from cards that have not been melded. The winner may also receive a bonus for winning. Some special or difficult melds may also give extra points to a hand. A player may have a negative score if unmelded cards total more than melded ones. Usually play continues until one player passes a threshold, for example 1,000 points.

Related games

There are a large number of games derived from rummy. Although in North America the word rummy is often used interchangeably for gin rummy, the term is applicable to a large family of games, including canasta, mahjong and Rummikub.

Melding family

The most basic form where play continues until the stock is exhausted or a player achieves a specific number of points. Different cards (and melds in some games) are worth specific points. In some variations, the first meld must meet minimum point requirements or the final meld must include a discard. Some of these are played for four players in partnerships of two. In most variations, players may extensively add to or even rearrange their cards. 500 Rum 5000 Rum Bing rummy Continental Cuajo Desmoche German Rummy Indian Marriage Indonesian rummy (remi) Machiavelli Marriage Red three rummy Panguingue Penang rummy Scala 40 Seven bridge Shanghai rum Speed Rummy Three thirteen Tong-its Treppenrommé

Contract family

In contract rummy, players are either assigned specific objectives (known or unknown to the other players) or decide their own objectives and announces them before play begins. Players are awarded and or penalized extra points depending on if they successfully meet their objectives. Contract rummy Kalooki Dummy rummy Carioca Phase 10 Liverpool rummy Zioncheck

Shedding games

In these games, players play until they have a minimal number of points or cards in their unmelded hands. Conquian Robbers' rummy

Canasta family

Canasta games usually involve partnerships using two or more decks with many wild cards. There are many rules and restrictions on first melds, final melds and taking the deck. Seven or eight of a kinds (canasta) score high. Buraco Biriba Canasta Hand & Foot Samba Mille

Knock rummy

In knock rummy, players usually reveal their entire hand at the end of the game. In most variations, a player may signal (through knock or a specific kind of discard) that they have a valid hand. In some variations, the other players get one final turn before the reveal. Gin rummy Indian Rummy Rumino Tonk (aka Tunk) Viennese Rummy

Variations with non-Western cards or special equipment

Rummoli games

Rummoli games use Western cards, but require a special board or modified table with various squares with specific cards drawn on them. In each round, players put tokens in the squares. If a player lays down a card matching a square, they collect the tokens therein. Most versions allow multiple players to meld straights in sequence and do not use three- or four-of-a-kinds. Some versions include poker-like elements. Pope Joan Michigan Poch Rummoli Three In One Tripoli or TRIPOLEY (a trademarked version) Michigan Rummy Royal Rummy

Unique cards

Several companies produce special card sets which often include special cards not seen in other rummoli variations. Some variations resemble the card game Crazy Eights. Most of these games are suitable for children and Safari Pals is an educational game. Phase 10 Ruckus Safari Pals

Chinese cards

There are two different kinds of Chinese decks used for rummy-like games. The rules of each variation vary greatly. Khanhoo Quan dui Four Color Cards

Tiles

Tile rummy games usually include tiles of only three suits along with special tiles unseen in card games. Mahjong, a game with elaborate rules and different scoring systems, is played in East Asia with numerous variations played in different countries. Rummikub and other international tile variations have rules similar to meld and knock rummy. Domino rummy Mahjong Okey Rummikub

References

Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1358827331 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.

Names in other languages