• + Kalooki Rummy Games
  • - Introduction
  • - Basic Rules
  • - Getting Started
  • + Gin Rummy
    • - Demo
    • - Game Preview
    • - Rules
    • - Strategy Tips
  • + Oklahoma Gin
    • - Demo
    • - Game Preview
    • - Rules
    • - Strategy Tips
  • + Kalooki 51
    • - Demo
    • - Game Preview
    • - Rules
    • - Strategy Tips
  • + Kalooki 40
    • - Demo
    • - Game Preview
    • - Rules
    • - Strategy Tips
  • + Traditional Rummy
    • - Demo
    • - Game Preview
    • - Rules
    • - Strategy Tips

Rules



Basic Rules

The main goal in any game of Traditional Rummy is to get rid of all of the cards in your hand ahead of all other players. This is done by arranging as many of the cards in their hands into "sets" and "runs":

• A set is three or more cards of the same rank. For example, a player with the four of hearts, spades and diamonds could meld this set during their turn.
• A run is a sequence of three or more cards that are all in the same suit and in consecutive order. For instance, a player could meld the six, seven, eight and nine of hearts.

Players win by "Going Rummy" or "Going Out", and it is the first which allows for the fewest penalty points to the winner.

All games utilize two decks of playing cards (or tiles such as Rummikub games). Traditional Rummy requires the use of two standard decks of 52 cards each, with all of the Jokers removed. The cards are valued by their numbers, with the four of hearts worth four points, etc. The face cards are worth ten points each, and the Ace is worth eleven points.

How to Play a Game of Traditional Rummy

To play a hand of Gin Rummy requires that two to four players be seated around the table. Each receives ten cards from the dealer, and then the remainder of the deck is placed face down in the center of the table. The dealer will then turn the top card over and lay it on the table, next to the deck. This creates the stock pile (the deck) and the discard pile (the upward facing card).

Each player then takes their turn, and all are required to first draw a single card from either the stock pile or the discard pile. This card is added to their hand. Should the player have any melds they can lay them, face up, on the table. Finally, they will complete their turn by placing a single card into the discard pile in the upward facing position.

During a turn, a player is allowed to add cards from their hand to any meld on the table.

Whenever Traditional Rummy players work their way through the entire stock pile, the dealer will set aside the card most recently placed in the discard pile, shuffle the remaining cards, and then lay them face down as a new stock pile.

Play continues until one player is able to bring the game to an end. This is done in two ways:

• Going Rummy - this is when a player can dispose of all of their cards at a single time. This requires that the player do nothing but lay down the cards, and it may NOT include putting down or laying off any other cards; or
• Going Out - this is when a player gradually disposes of their cards through melds.

Once a player does either of these things, the remaining players at the table are forced to lay out their sets and runs as well. They may all lay off their cards according to standard guidelines.

Scoring the Game and Determining the Winner

The manner in which the hand was won is the way that points are scored. The way this is done follows:

• Whenever a game taken by Going out, it automatically requires opponents to receive the sum of remaining cards in their hands; or
• Whenever a game taken by Going Rummy, it automatically requires opponents to receive the sum of the remaining cards in their hands plus a 25 point penalty also.

Payout Table

The "Prize Pool" of the game is broken down in the following manner:  winners always receive 75% of the value and the remaining 25% is divided between the opponents. Should any player finish the game with more than 80 points less than the winner, however, they do not get a share of the pool.