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Rummy Sets
Rummy, a game of skill and strategy, has been one of the favorites of card game players in India for many years. The objective of rummy is to arrange cards into sequences or a combination of sequences and sets. When the game starts, each player focuses on sorting their cards and making a valid declaration first at the table.
Players need to follow a few simple rules to make a valid declaration. Two sequences, with at least one pure sequence, are required. While sequences are essential in the game, you can also form rummy sets. Keep reading to learn what are rummy sets and how to create different types of rummy sets.
What are Rummy Sets?
A rummy set is a combination that consists of three or more cards of the same rank but different suits. Remember, the cards in a set must all share the same number value (like all 7s, all Qs) and come from different suits (9♠, 9♥, and 9♦). Wild and printed jokers can be substitutes for any missing card within a set (7♠, Joker, and 7♣).
Rummy sets are essential for winning rummy games. By creating sets, you can reduce the value of unmatched cards in your hand. This helps you score fewer points or declare your hand more quickly.
Types of Rummy Sets
Rummy sets can consist of three or more cards of the same rank. You can also use Joker to complete a rummy set. Unlike rummy sequences, there is no difference between pure and impure sets.
Rummy Set with 3 Cards: 5♥ (Hearts), 5♣ (Clubs), 5♦ (Diamonds). A basic set of three 5s from different suits
Rummy Set with 4 Cards: K♠ (Spades), K♦ (Diamonds), K♣ (Clubs), K♥ (Hearts). This set consists of four Kings from different suits.
3 Cards Rummy Set with Joker: J♠ (Spades), Joker, J♦ (Diamonds). This set uses a Joker, substituting for the missing Jack of either Clubs or Hearts.
4 Cards Rummy Set with Joker: 9♥ (Hearts), 9♣ (Clubs), 9♦ (Diamonds), Joker. This set has Joker in place of the missing 9 of Spades.
Rummy Sets Rules
There are few essential rules related to the rummy sets.
You can make a maximum of 2 sets in a valid declaration. Having more than 2 sets makes your declaration invalid.
Both the printed jokers (from the deck) and wild jokers (chosen at the beginning of the game) can be used to create sets.
A set can have a minimum of 3 or maximum of 4 cards without jokers. However, if you include jokers, a set can have more than 4 cards.
Creating sets in rummy is not mandatory. It's an optional strategy you can use to reduce your points and potentially declare faster.
Creating Multiple Sets in Rummy
In most rummy games, you create sequences and sets for a winning declaration. A pure sequence is a must and at least one more pure/impure sequence. However, you can create one or two sets for a valid declaration. If not, you get a penalty of 80 points in a points rummy game.
Valid Declaration With Two Rummy Sets6♥-7♥-8♥ is a pure sequence, while PJ-K♣-A♣ is an impure sequence. 3♥-3♠-3♣-3♦ form rummy set 1 and rummy set 2 consists of 10♦-10♠-5♣ (WJ).
3♠-4♠-5♠ and J♦-Q♦-K♦ are pure sequences, whereas 7♣-8♣-PJ is an impure sequence. 2♥-2♠-2♦-2♣ is a rummy set consisting of four 2s of different suits.
Rummy Sets and Sequence in Valid Declaration
Let’s suppose the following cards are dealt to you:
3♠-4♠-8♠, 4♣-5♣-7♣, 6♥-K♥, 6♦-9♦-10♦-J♦, PJ
In this hand, there are two pre-made sequences: 9♦-10♦-J♦ (pure sequence) and 4♣-5♣-PJ-7♣ (impure sequence). Now you have to work on the remaining cards and create a pure sequence, an impure sequence or sets.
Turn 1:
Suppose you pick 6♠ from the closed deck. This card can be grouped with 6♥ and 6♦ to form a set: 6♠-6♥-6♦. The ideal card to discard would be K♥ as there are no connecting cards to create a sequence or a set with this card.
After discarding K♥, your hand will look like this:
3♠-4♠-8♠, 4♣-5♣-PJ-7♣, 9♦-10♦-J♦, 6♠-6♥-6♦
One pure sequence, one impure sequence and one set is formed. Now you have to work on the remaining cards and create a pure sequence, an impure sequence or set.
Turn 2:
Suppose you pick 3♦ from the open deck. You can choose to keep the card as there is a good chance of a set with 3♠ and another card of the same value or a joker. You can discard 8♠ as there are no related cards to make a sequence or set.
Once you discard 8♠, your hand will look like this:
9♦-10♦-J♦, 4♣-5♣-PJ-7♣, 6♠-6♥-6♦, 3♠-3♦-4♠
Suppose you pick a wild joker (Q♠) from the closed deck. The wild joker can be used to form a set with 3♠ and 3♦. So you can discard 4♠.
Once you discard 4♠, your hand will look like this:
9♦-10♦-J♦, 4♣-5♣-PJ-7♣, 6♠-6♥-6♦, 3♠-3♦-Q♠(WJ)
The above declaration is valid. If you are the first player to declare, you win. Otherwise, you get 0 points.
Possible Combinations in a Valid Declaration
There are a number of possible combinations in a valid declaration if you are making rummy sets with your cards.
1 pure sequence + 1 impure sequence + 2 sets (6♦-7♦-8♦, 2♣-PJ-4♣-5♣, 8♠-8♥-8♦, 9♠-9♦-WJ)
2 pure sequences + 2 sets (6♦-7♦-8♦, 2♣-3♣-4♣, 8♠-8♣-8♥-8♦, 9♠-9♦-PJ)
2 pure sequences + 1 set (6♦-7♦-8♦-9♦, A♣-2♣-3♣-4♣-5♣, 8♠-8♣-8♥-8♦)
2 pure sequences + 1 impure sequence + 1 set (5♦-6♦-7♦-8♦, 2♣-3♣-4♣, 9♠-10♠-WJ, 8♠-8♣-8♥)
1 pure sequence + 2 impure sequences + 1 set (6♦-7♦-8♦, 2♣-PJ-4♣, 9♠-10♠-WJ-Q♠, 8♣-8♥-8♦)
3 pure sequences + 1 set (6♦-7♦-8♦, 2♣-3♣-4♣, 9♠-10♠-J♠, 8♠-8♣-PJ)
Invalid Declaration Due to Incorrect Sets in Rummy
Declaration in rummy means you've arranged your cards according to standard rules. But not every hand arrangement qualifies. The key is to organize your cards into valid sequences and sets. Let's see what makes a valid declaration.
Every winning declaration requires at least two sequences. At least one of those two sequences must be a pure sequence (without a joker). While not mandatory, you can include up to two sets in your declaration.
Below are some examples of an invalid declaration because of invalid sets:
7♠-8♠-9♠ (pure sequence), J♣-Q♣-PJ-A♣ (impure sequence), 6♣(WJ)-K♥-A♥ (impure sequence), 5♥-5♦-5♦ (incorrect set)
The above declaration is invalid as 5♥-5♦-5♦ does not make a set. If there was 5♠ or 5♣ in place of 5♦, it would have been a valid set, and the declaration would have been valid.A♣-2♣-3♣ (pure sequence), 8♠-8♥-8♣ (set 1), 7♥-7♣-K♣ (WJ) (set 2), 6♦-6♣-6♥-6♠ (set 3)
In the above declaration, there is one sequence and three sets. But you need at least two sequences. So this declaration becomes invalid.
Value of Valid Rummy Sets
In rummy, the goal is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards by building melds that follow the rummy rules. The player who declares first with zero points wins the game. To declare, you must arrange your cards into at least two sequences with one pure sequence. The remaining cards can be either sets or additional sequences.
However, you can only include a maximum of two sets in your declaration. Valid sets and sequences have a value of zero points. The points a losing player gets depend on the unmatched cards remaining in their hand when the winner declares. The higher the value of these cards, the higher the penalty points.
Importance of Rummy Sets
While not mandatory, the importance of rummy sets is no less during a rummy game. They play a crucial role in building a solid hand, reducing total points, and ultimately declaring faster. Sets offer flexibility as these cards can be used to form sequences depending on the opportunity that comes during the game. For example, a set of three 7s can be broken down to make a sequence like 6, 7, 8 of the same suit.
Rummy is dynamic. You have to adjust your set-building strategy throughout the game based on the cards dealt and discarded. By analyzing, you can identify opportunities to complete sets while making it harder for opponents to do the same. Rummy sets are the building blocks for a winning rummy strategy!