The Joker in Rummy: Know Everything About the Joker Card and Its Uses

If you are new to rummy and rummy joker rules seem daunting to you, here’s something you can put to use. Read on to understand the various roles of a joker in rummy and the different ways in which it can be used in the game.

Role of the Joker in a Rummy Game

The joker card plays an important role in Indian rummy. It is the most wanted card that players wish to have and that is because it can be used as a replacement for any missing card in an impure sequence or a set. For instance, if you have two consecutive cards from the same suit or two cards of the same rank but different suits, you can use a joker rummy card instead of the missing card and form a sequence or set. Moreover, joker points in rummy are zero. Since points are negative in rummy, a very important role is played by the joker in the rummy game. Once you know the rules for using the joker rummy online becomes easier to master.

Types of Jokers

There are two types of jokers in the game of rummy: printed joker and wild joker.

Printed Joker

A card deck in rummy includes one printed joker card, which has an image of a joker or clown printed on it. For the joker rummy rules are simple. This card can be used as a replacement card in an impure sequence or in a set. The number of printed jokers in a game can be either one or two, based on the number of decks that are being used in the game.

Sequences containing a printed joker

Sets containing a printed joker

Wild Card Joker

When cards are dealt, a random card from the suit is selected as the wild joker in rummy. Additionally, all the other suit cards of that value also become wild card jokers in that game. For example, if 6♥ is the wild joker in a game, 6♠, 6♦ and 6♣ will also be wild jokers in that particular game of rummy.

Sequences containing a wild joker (WJ)

Sets containing a wild joker

Use of Printed Joker in Rummy

As shown above, a printed joker can be used as a replacement card in an impure sequence or a set.

Use of Wild Card Joker in Rummy

A wild card joker can also be used like a printed joker to form an impure sequence or a set. However, it can also be used to form a pure sequence if used in its original value and not as a substitute.

(Here the wild joker 2♣ helps create an impure sequence. )

(In the same game, the wild joker 2♦ has been used in its original value and as a card of its original suit to complete a pure sequence.)

How to Form Sequences and Sets With Joker Cards (Printed and Wild Card Jokers)

If you know . how to play joker rummy game, then you must be aware that rummy game can be won even with a weak hand. You must know how to create sequences and sets using jokers. Here’s a detailed explanation of the rules.

Use of Printed and Wild Card Jokers in a Sequence

Pure Sequence with Joker Card

A pure sequence is formed when three or more sequential cards of the same suit are grouped together. You cannot use jokers in a pure sequence, unless they are wild jokers used in their original value and not as a substitute.
For example, if you have 5♦, 6♦ and 7♦, considering 7♦ is a wild joker, the card group 5♦-6♦-7♦ (WJ) will be considered a pure sequence. This is because the wild joker has been used as a card of its original suit (belongs to the same suit as the other two cards) and in its original value (7).

Impure Sequence with Joker Card

An impure sequence in rummy is a sequence in which one or more cards have been replaced by a joker/jokers.
For example, you have two consecutive cards of the same suit, say 8♠ and 9♠, and you draw a printed joker or a wild joker (e.g. 5♣). Now the joker can be used as a replacement for the missing card, i.e. 7♠ or 10♠, thereby creating an impure sequence.

Use of Printed and Wild Card Jokers in Sets

A set in Indian rummy is a group of three or four cards of the same value but different suits. Creating sets is not mandatory, so you can arrange all your cards in only sequences, or in sequences and sets.

Valid Set with Printed Joker

If you have two cards of the same rank, say 8♦ and 8♣, and you pick a printed joker on your next turn. You can now use the printed joker to form a set: 8♦-8♣-PJ. Here the printed joker acts as a substitute for 8 ♥ or 8♠

Valid Set With Wild Card Joker

If you have two cards of the same rank, say 5♠ and 5♥, and you pick a wild joker (9♦ is the wild joker for that game) on your next turn. The wild joker can be used to complete the set: 5♠-5♥-9♦ (WJ). Here, the wild joker has been used as a substitute for 5♦ or 5♣.

Joker Card Rules in Rummy

For the use of the joker rummy card game rules are simple and easy to follow. You just have to remember three things.

Closed Joker Rummy Rules

The closed joker, also known as the printed joker, is used as a replacement card to form an impure sequence or a set. There can be one or two closed joker cards, depending on the number of decks used in the game.

Open Joker Rummy Rules

The open joker card, also known as the wild joker card, can be used in a pure sequence but only as a card of its original suit and not as a replacement card. If it is used as a replacement card, the sequence will be considered an impure sequence.

Jokers in Rummy 500

Playing rummy with jokers makes the game more intriguing. Jokers play an important role in rummy and improve a player’s chances of winning. Each time you use a wild joker rummy card game takes a new turn. Moreover, both printed and wild jokers are worth zero points. This makes them even more precious as no one wants to accumulate points in rummy. So if you have multiple jokers in rummy 500, use them to bring down your overall score.

What If the Joker Is a Joker in Rummy?

It may happen that the card that you pick from the deck as a wild joker is the printed joker. In such a case, all the aces in the deck are considered wild jokers for that particular game.

Use the Joker and Get Rid of High Value Cards

In the game, rummy joker value is zero. To minimize your score and maximize your chances of winning, you should know how to use the joker in rummy. If you have a joker, try using it with higher-value cards to reduce your score. Also, it’s not usually advisable to use a wild joker in a pure sequence.