The Wonderful World of Rummy Card Games

Did you know that Rummy games, which are now loved and played all over the world, actually have their origins in China? That’s right! These captivating games made their way out of Eastern Asia in the early 1900s, capturing the hearts of people everywhere.

What makes Rummy so special is that it’s not just one game – it’s a whole family of games! These games all follow a similar concept: matching cards and creating sets or melds. But what exactly is a meld? Well, a meld can be a set of three or four cards of the same rank, or it can be a sequence of three or more cards in a row. The rules for what kind of melds are allowed and when you can create them vary from game to game.

A Glimpse into Rummy’s Rich History

I believe that all modern Rummy games are descendants of the Mexican game called Conquian, which is a card version of Mahjong. Rummy has become popular worldwide, resulting in the creation of many different variations. The core concept of melding, which is central to Rummy, can be traced back to Mahjong, but has evolved to be played with cards instead of tiles.

Rummy is especially beloved in India. The game known as Indian Rummy is seen as an extension of two well-known American Rummy games: Gin Rummy and Rummy 500.

The Rummy Style

Dealing

Rummy is a game that benefits from using multiple decks. Some games include jokers, while others don’t. When playing, I am dealt a hand of usually 13 cards, but the specific number depends on the rules of the particular variant. The leftover cards that aren’t dealt form a stockpile. Additionally, the game involves a discard pile, which may start empty or already have a card flipped from the stockpile. The person who won the previous game becomes the dealer for the next round, unless the dealer position rotates around the table.

Melding

Melding is a critical part of Rummy—it’s what sets it apart. Melds can be sets or runs of cards. Sets are made up of three or more cards of the same rank, while runs are sequences of cards, regardless of their suit. Sometimes, Rummy games allow wild cards, which can be swapped for any other card they represent.

When it comes to playing Rummy, the rules can vary based on the number of players. Typically, the person on the left of the dealer goes first. Players can draw cards from the stockpile or the discard pile, but there are certain rules that apply to these draws.

To win the game, you either need to make specific melds or meld all your cards in a single turn.

Once the game is over, it’s time to tally the scores. Players earn points for their melds, but they also get negative points (or penalties) for any cards they still have in their hand. If a player manages to meld all their cards in one turn or throughout the game, they can even earn extra points. The number of points earned depends on the specific Rummy variant being played.