Discover the Unique Game of Robber’s Rummy

Robber’s Rummy is a one-of-a-kind rummy game that challenges us to empty our hands by creating special sets of cards called melds. These melds are played right in the center of the playing space. What sets this game apart from others? Well, let me tell you.

Firstly, it’s not like other games where we have to start our turn by drawing a card. Nope! In Robber’s Rummy, we can make our melds right from the beginning, without any delay.

Secondly, forget about the discard pile. In this game, it doesn’t exist! It may sound strange, but it’s true.

Finally, here comes the real fun part. This is the reason why this game is called Robber’s Rummy. You know those melds that are already played? Well, we can do something pretty sneaky. We can “rob” some cards from them and use them to create new melds. How cool is that?

Get Ready to Play with Cards and Deals

Robber’s Rummy is played with not just one, but two standard 52-card decks. And if you’re up for a little extra excitement, you can even add up to four jokers into the mix. It’s a wild ride!

In order to determine the first dealer, we can have each player pick a card from the deck. The player with the lowest card becomes the dealer. Once the dealer is chosen, they will proceed to give every player eleven cards, one at a time. The game will then begin, with turns moving clockwise around the table.

Understanding Melds

When playing Robber’s Rummy, there are two kinds of melds that can be formed. The first type is called a run, which is a sequence of three or more cards from the same suit. For example, a run could be 2-3-4-5 of clubs. The second type is a set, which consists of three or more cards of the same rank. An example of a set would be Q-Q-Q. It’s important to note that sets cannot contain cards from the same suit.

In this game, you can play Aces as both high or low cards. And here’s the interesting part: you can “go around the corner.” It means that you can place an Ace in the middle of a run. Let me give you an example to make it clearer. Imagine you have the Q-K-A-2 sequence. Well, that’s a perfect example of “going around the corner.” This rule is optional, but it makes creating game-winning melds much easier. If you decide to allow players to go around the corner in Robber’s Rummy, the game will speed up a lot.

Now, let’s talk about another unique aspect of Robber’s Rummy. In this game, you can actually rob cards from established melds to create new ones. But there’s a catch! You must make sure that there are enough cards left behind to form a legal meld on the table. Let me give you an example to illustrate this. Imagine there’s a meld with the sequence 4-5-6-7. And you want to steal the 5 to form a new meld. Well, you can’t do that because it would leave an illegal run on the table. However, there’s a workaround. If you have a Joker, you can steal the 5 and replace it with the Joker. That way, you’ll still have a legal meld on the table.

When it’s my turn to play in Robber’s Rummy, I have the freedom to rearrange the cards on the table as long as I make sure they form a legal meld. I can’t pick up and keep any of the cards, though.

Before I can start playing cards onto the table, I need to create my first meld. This meld must have a value of 40 points or more. Once I’ve made this initial meld, I can create and play smaller melds. I can also “lay off” cards onto existing melds and take cards from the table.

Once I’ve made my first meld, I have the option to lay off additional cards onto the existing melds on the table.

THE PLAY

The player’s turn in Robber’s Rummy is quite unique and special.

When I start my turn in this game, I can choose to play melds. Melds are when I place cards on the table that form a set or run. If I can’t or don’t want to play a meld, I have to draw a card from the draw pile. But if I did play a meld, I have the option to draw a card or not.

If I choose to draw a card, I get one more chance to make melds. After that, my turn is over, and it’s the next player’s turn.

If I start my turn by laying down a meld and decide not to draw a card, my turn ends right away.

Keep in mind that there is no discard pile in this game. I never have to discard cards. The only way to get rid of cards from my hand is by playing them in melds.

Oh, and let’s not forget about the jokers!

When playing the game, you can only use one Joker in a meld. If you’re rearranging melds on the table, you can use the Jokers to replace any card you need. Jokers can be freely moved around to create new melds.

HOW TO WIN

The goal of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all the cards in their hand. Once you’ve emptied your hand, you win!

The ultimate objective is to discard all the cards from my hand, as I manage them while playing. The player who accomplishes this task first emerges as the victor. Pretty cool, huh?