Rummy

Rummy is the classic draw-and-discard card game. Build sets and runs, lay off cards on any meld on the table, and be the first to get rid of your whole hand to score the points your opponents are still holding.

How to play Rummy

• Each player gets 10 cards against one opponent, or 7 cards with two or three opponents. One card is turned up to start the discard pile and the rest form the stock.
• A meld is either a set of 3 or 4 cards of the same rank (8♠ 8♥ 8♣) or a run of 3 or more cards in a row in one suit (5♦ 6♦ 7♦). Aces are low: A-2-3 is a run, Q-K-A is not.
• On your turn, first draw the top card of the stock or the top card of the discard pile.
• Then you may put down any melds from your hand and lay off single cards on any meld already on the table, yours or an opponent's (add the 9♦ to 6♦ 7♦ 8♦, or the fourth king to a set of kings).
• End your turn by discarding one card. You cannot throw back the card you just took from the discard pile.
• The first player to get rid of every card goes out, either by melding or laying off everything or by discarding the last card.
• The player who goes out scores the cards left in everyone else's hand: face cards 10, aces 1, other cards their number.
• If the stock runs out, the discards are turned over once to make a new stock. If it runs out again, the hand ends with no score.
• Hands continue until someone reaches the target score (50 by default; 100 or 150 for a longer game).

Controls

• Tap the stock or the discard pile (or use the buttons) to draw. Press S to draw from the stock.
• Tap cards in your hand to select them, then press Meld (M). With one card selected, tap a glowing meld or press Lay off (L), or press Discard (D).
• Use Sort to order your hand by suit or by rank, and Players and Game to for a new game setup.

Tips

• Get rid of high cards that are not close to a meld early: a stray king costs 10 points if someone else goes out.
• Watch which melds are on the table. Any card that fits one can be laid off, so it is never really stuck in your hand.
• Melding early protects your points, but it also gives opponents more places to lay off. Holding a meld one more turn can be worth it when you are close to going out in one go.
• Avoid discarding a card that obviously extends a meld on the table: the next player can pick it up and play it right away.

FAQ

How do you play rummy?

On each turn, draw a card from the stock or the discard pile, put down any sets or runs you can, lay off single cards on melds already on the table, then discard one card. The first player to get rid of every card goes out and scores the cards left in the other hands.

How many cards do you deal in Rummy?

Ten cards each for a two-player game and seven each with three or four players.

Can I lay off on another player's meld?

Yes. In Rummy you can add cards to any meld on the table, whoever put it down.

Do I have to discard to go out?

No. You can go out by melding or laying off your last cards, or by discarding your final card. Either way the hand ends right away.

What is Rummy 500?

A popular variant where you can pick up cards from deep in the discard pile and every card you meld scores for you. Try it on the Rummy 500 page using the variant switcher.

Is my game saved?

Yes. The current hand and the scores are saved in your browser and resume when you come back.