Indian Rummy
Indian Rummy is a widespread card game in India with a little variation from the original rummy. It is played with 13 cards one or two decks, two or more players and usually jokers (wild cards).
Origin of Indian Rummy
Indian rummy, a fun game, comes with a big sense of tradition. The origin and history of Indian Rummy is little known. It is considered to have evolved from Gin Rummy and Rummy 500.
Just like in Rummy 500 it is played with 13 cards, one or two decks, two or more players and wild cards (jokers). Also it is more like Gin Rummy in overall simplicity of turn by turn play.
Indian Rummy - Game Play
Objective of playing Indian Rummy
The main objective of the game is to complete a hand with most or all of the cards formed into sets or/and runs.
A “run / sequence” contains three or more cards of the same suit and in consecutive order. And a “set” contains three or more cards of the same rank and different suits.
An individual card can be used either to form a set or a sequence. It cannot be used for both.
In Indian rummy a hand must contain at least two sequences. If jokers are involved, then one sequence should not contain a joker. This is called as “Life 1”. Once “Life 1” is formed either the second sequence or first run can be formed with a joker.
Rules of Indian Rummy
Indian Rummy game rules are simple and easy to remember which makes it such a popular card game.
Before the game begins, each player picks a random card from the deck. Player with the highest value card gets to choose his/her place. Similarly the player with the next highest card gets to sit next and so on. Player with the lowest value card has to shuffle and deal the cards.
After dealing the cards, the dealer picks a random card and places it face up. This card becomes the joker for that particular game. Remaining cards of the same value can be used as joker. Printed joker for the deck is also considered as another joker. It is called as wildcard by some. As per Indian rummy rules, if the printed joker card is selected as joker, then there is only one remaining printed joker in the deck of cards.
In many variations of the game, some pick a joker before the cards are dealt while others pick the joker after the cards have been dealt.
Dealer gets the shuffled deck cut from the player sitting to his left and he starts distributing the cards from his right. It is also done vice-versa in some variations.
After the cards are dealt, dealer opens one card and leaves it face open. This card is the start of the discard pile and it can be picked by the player whose turn comes next.
The game continues with each player picking up the top card either from the discard pile or draw pile turn by turn. Card picked is used to form either a set or sequence. Unwanted cards are placed in the discard file. This continues turn by turn until a player forms valid combinations.
Click here to learn more about How to Play Rummy
Click here to learn more about How to Play Rummy
Popular variants of Indian Rummy
There are quite a few Indian rummy variants that are hugely accepted. Some of the popular variations are:
Points related:
In this format all the cards of the deck are allotted points. Usually jacks, queen and kings have 10 points so that it is easy to calculate. When the stakes are high these cards are allotted 20 points each. Ace has 10 points when it is used as a low card or high card.
High or Low related:
In this format, ace is either used as high card or low card. Few players do not allow using ace as low card.
Joker related:
In some variants, joker/s left with loosing players carries no points. Contradictory to this rule, in some variations, the joker/s left with the loosing players cost him some points.
In case a player discards a joker, the opponent cannot pick that joker. In another variation, such joker discarded can be picked by the opponent. If the winner has a joker, he/she gets additional points.
Sets / Sequence related:
Players cannot make more than 1 set of the same rank. For example: if they have made one set (ace, ace, ace), then they cannot make another set (king, king, king). Also players cannot make a set of 4 cards.
