The objective of the Rummy game is to arrange all 13 cards in valid combinations, i.e., sequences and sets. To win the game, you have to make a valid declaration before your opponents. A valid declaration is an arrangement where there are at least two sequences, out of which at least one is a pure sequence.

Rummy is rooted in Indian history and culture, and this game is played in every household. If you are just getting started with this game, here are the most important rummy rules that you must know before starting to play.

Here follow all the rummy game rules that you should know:

1. Indian rummy is played by 2-6 players. One standard 52-deck plus one printed joker is used for two players, and two standard decks plus 2 printed jokers are used for more than two players.
2. 13 random cards are dealt to each player at the beginning of the game.
3. The remaining deck is put on the table face down and forms the closed deck.
4. The top card from the open deck is placed face up on the table to start the open deck, where players can discard their cards.
5. At the beginning of the game, a random card is selected as a wild card from the full deck. All the cards of that rank become jokers for that game.
6. The objective of the game is to arrange your cards in sequences, or sequences and sets, and bring your score to zero as points are negative in rummy.
7. On their turn, each player has to pick a card from either the open deck or the closed deck and then discard any one of their cards to the open deck.
8. The player who arranges all the 13 cards first in sequences, or sequences and sets, is ready and should make a valid declaration to win the game.

A rummy card is played among a minimum of two and a maximum of six players using a standard deck of 52 cards, including jokers. Once you join the table, 13 cards are dealt to each player with the aim that each player has to arrange all dealt cards in valid sequences or sequences and sets. To win the game, whichever player makes a valid declaration first, wins the game.

There are two types of sequences: Pure Sequences and Impure Sequences. Understanding the rules for these sequences is crucial to playing the Rummy game effectively.

Pure Sequence

A Pure Sequence is a group of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit without using any Jokers.

• The sequence must have no wild cards or substitutes to be considered pure. It should consist solely of natural cards of the same suit, arranged in consecutive order.
• Examples of Pure Sequence: A♠-2♠-3♠ is a pure sequence. Similarly, 6♦-7♦-8♦-9♦-10♦ is also a pure sequence.
• A pure sequence can also be formed using a wild joker, provided it must be used in its original value and as a card of its original suit, not to replace any card. Example: if 7♦ is a wild card joker in a game, you can form the following pure sequences: 5♦-6♦-7♦;6♦-7♦-8♦.

Impure Sequence

An Impure Sequence contains one or more Jokers or wild cards along with original value cards to complete the sequence.

• To create an impure sequence, you can use Jokers to replace missing cards within the sequence while maintaining consecutive numbers and the same suit.
• For instance, if you have the 4 and 6 of Spades and a Joker, you can use the Joker to represent the missing 5 of Spades, forming an impure sequence (4, Joker, 6 of Spades).

According to rummy rules, players can only arrange their cards in sequences or sequences and sets. A set is formed when a group of either three or four cards of the same rank but different suits are arranged. No set can have more than four cards. You can use a printed joker or a wild joker to replace a card in a set.

Two types of Sets:

▪ Valid sets

A valid set is a combination of three or four cards of the same rank but different suits. Here's an example of a valid set:
Suppose you have the following cards in your hand:

Here are a few examples of valid sets:

▪ Invalid Sets

An invalid set is a set where there are 2 cards of the same suit, so it can have a maximum of 4 cards, and when a set has 2 cards of the same suit, it automatically makes it an invalid declaration.
Here are two examples of invalid sets:

Once all 13 cards have been arranged in valid sequences and sets, you can make a declaration, but make sure to declare before the opponents.
When you have all the cards arranged according to the rules, you must declare and show your cards to your opponents. Listed below are some valid declarations.

Valid Declaration

To make a valid declaration in a rummy game, you need to arrange your 13 cards in valid sequences, or sequences and sets. Once all card are arranged as per the rummy rules, click on “Finish” to declare your cards in hand. In order to determine valid declaration, below are the conditions that have to be fulfilled:

▪ One Pure Sequence

You need to mandatorily have one pure sequence to declare and win a rummy game. A pure sequence consists of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit.

▪ A Second Sequence

You need at least two sequences to make a valid declaration. So, once one pure sequence is arranged, you will also be required to arrange a valid second sequence to declare your hand. Remember, the second sequence could be either a pure sequence or an impure one.

▪ Other Cards Arranged in Sequences/Sets

Arrange all remaining cards in valid sequences or sets. Once all 13 cards are arranged in valid combination, then make a valid declaration before your opponent to win.
Here are two examples of valid declarations:

Invalid Declaration

When a declaration you made is not per the rummy rules, it leads to an invalid declaration. Making an invalid declaration will make you lose to your opponent by the biggest margin possible (maximum penalty points is 80).

Also, remember, in the case of a 6-player game, all the remaining players will keep playing until one of them wins.

Here are two examples of invalid declarations:

Several important terms are commonly used in a Rummy game. Here are some key terms you should be familiar with:

Draw Pile: The stack of face-down cards from which players draw one card at a time during their turns.

Discard Pile: The stack of face-up cards next to the draw pile, where players discard unwanted cards at the end of their turns.

Sets: Groups of three or four cards of the same rank but different suits (e.g., 7 of Hearts, 7 of Diamonds, 7 of Clubs).

Sequences: Groups of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 4, 5, 6 of Spades).

Pure Sequence: A sequence formed without using Jokers or wild cards

Impure Sequence: A sequence that includes Jokers or wild cards to replace missing cards.

Joker: A designated card (usually a wild card) that can substitute for any other card in sets or sequences.

Declaration: Announcing that you've successfully formed valid sets and sequences and ending the round.

Drop: Choosing to leave the game voluntarily before making any moves, usually in the beginning.

Deadwood: The total point value of unmelded cards in a player's hand.

Knocking: Declaring and ending the round with unmelded cards having minimal points..

Round: A single game in Rummy, typically played until one player declares.

Score: The total points held by a player in a Rummy game.

In Indian Rummy, points calculation is done at the end of each round or game to determine the winner. The basic principle is to minimize the number of points in your hand, as lower points are generally more favorable. Here is how the point system works:-

Penalty Points for Losers

Winnings in cash rummy games are calculated as per each variant. Before calculating the scores of each player, make sure to understand how they are calculated and on which basis the scoring is done in each rummy variant.

The Winner’s Score: The player who makes a valid declaration first is the winner and gets zero points.

Winnings = (Sum of points of all opponents) X (Rupee value of the point) – Rummy.com Fee