Rummy Variations

Rummy and its different variants are one of the beloved card games in India for generations. It has gained even more popularity and accessibility with its availability on smartphones. Now considered a global game, players of rummy need to familiarize themselves with the various versions of the rummy game. While the fundamental rummy rules remain unchanged, there are now numerous ways to enjoy and play rummy with friends.

The main and most popular types of rummy include 13 Card Rummy, 21 Card Rummy, Gin, Contract Rummy, etc. Each of these rummy variants encompasses several categories within them. Among these, 13 card rummy is the most popular variant in India, and many platforms, such as Rummyprime, offer a variety of 13 card rummy games.

Types of Rummy Games

The different rummy variations are as follows:

• 13 Card Rummy
• Points Rummy
• Pool Rummy
• Deals Rummy
• 21 Card Rummy
• Gin Rummy

13 Card Rummy

Predominantly played in India, a 13 card rummy game involves dealing 13 cards to each player. According to the rules, it is necessary to form at least one pure sequence (a sequence without any Joker) and one impure sequence (a sequence that may include a Joker) in order to declare and win the game.

In a two-player game, a standard deck of 52 cards is used. However, in a six-player game, two decks of 52 cards are combined and used. The objective of the game is for a player to complete their sets and melds, and once accomplished, they must make a valid declaration to emerge as the winner.

Points Rummy

This particular type of rummy is a variation of the 13 card Indian rummy, where players compete for points based on a predetermined rupee value. In a points rummy game, the objective of a points rummy game is for a player to declare and achieve a score of 0. The losing player needs to calculate the remaining points from the cards that are not part of any sets, and those points are added to their score. The winner of the game receives the entire cash amount based on the total points accumulated by the opponents.

Pool Rummy

Pool rummy is another variation of 13 card rummy that can be found in many mobile applications for online rummy play. Unlike points rummy, pool rummy is structured in rounds. The objective in pool rummy is to avoid accumulating points until the last player crosses either 101 or 201 points, depending on the specific game that you are playing. In each round of pool rummy, the player who emerges as the winner receives 0 points. Consequently, pool rummy games tend to take slightly longer to complete compared to other rummy variants.

Learn About Different Pool Rummy Types:

• 101 Pool Rummy
• 201 Pool Rummy
• 61 Pool Rummy

Deals Rummy

This variation of the 13-card rummy game, known as “Deals Rummy,” is a type of Indian rummy where each player receives a set number of cards. In an online Deals Rummy game, players are given a fixed amount of chips to use for playing. After each round, the winner receives chips from the losing player based on the scores. The player with the higher chip count at the end of the game emerges as the winner.

21 Card Rummy

21 Card Rummy is similar to other rummy games in most aspects, but it has some distinct rules. In this variant, players are dealt 21 cards and must form at least 3 pure sequences, which makes it more challenging. Additionally, there are specific penalty rules in place. If a player drops out of the game without playing a hand, they receive a 30-point penalty, while dropping out after playing incurs a 75-point penalty.

One unique feature of 21 Card Rummy is the use of jokers. There are upper and lower jokers assigned based on the cut-joker. For example, if the cut-joker is the 4♦, the upper joker would be the 5♦, and the lower joker would be the 3♦. These jokers must belong to the same suit as the cut-joker. The upper and lower jokers can also act as substitutes for any card to form impure sequences.

Gin Rummy

Gin Rummy is another variation of the Rummy game, designed for 2-4 players, and it differs slightly from 13 Card Rummy and 21 Card Rummy. In Gin Rummy, players are dealt 10 cards each instead of 13, with the objective of forming sets and sequences. One notable distinction is that the ‘A Card’ can be considered as either the first card or follow the sequence of 2 and 3.

Unlike other rummy variants, in Gin Rummy, it is possible for a player to win even without having a complete valid set of cards. If a player’s point value is less than 10, they can declare a “knock” to win. The points are calculated based on the difference between the winner’s deadwood points (points obtained from cards not in sets or sequences) and the opponent’s deadwood points. While 13 Card Rummy and 21 Card Rummy are more popular, Gin Rummy has its own cult following.

Summary of Rummy Variants:

Rummy Type	Description	Winning Objective
13 Card Rummy	Classic Indian Rummy variant with 13 cards; form valid sets and sequences.	Form valid sets and sequences.
Points Rummy	Fast-paced game with points assigned to cards; winner collects points from others.	Collect points from opponents’ cards.
Pool Rummy	Players keep getting eliminated if they reach the points limit (61, 101 or 201).	Have the lowest points and avoid elimination.
Deals Rummy	Predetermined number of deals; cumulative score matters	Have the most points/chips at the end
21 Card Rummy	Fast-paced game with 21 cards; form sets and sequences to achieve the lowest score.	Achieve the lowest score with sets/sequences.
Gin Rummy	Match cards into sets and runs; ‘knock’ to end rounds; score based on unmelded cards.	Achieve the lowest score by knocking.

Join Rummyprime to Play Different Rummy Variants Online

Join different types of Indian rummy games on Rummyprime in a few simple steps. To begin, you will need to download the app first:

• Register & Download Rummyprime on your mobile device.
• Add Cash and collect your exciting rewards
• Select the type of Rummy game of your choice
• Select the table that you would like to join
• Start playing!

Download Rummyprime App

FAQs About Rummy Game Variations