Rummy Variations

Rummy is a card game that has been enjoyed by people in India for many years. It was previously played with physical cards, but it is now playable on all smartphones. This increases the accessibility and popularity of tash games enormously.

In a game of Rummy, players aim to build sets(A♦ A♠ A♥) and sequences (5♠ 6♠ 7♠ 8♠) using the cards they are dealt. It is usually played with two to six players using a standard deck of 52 cards with 2 Jokers.

The basic gameplay of different types of Rummy is to draw and discard cards, trying to create runs (sequences of 3 or more cards of the same suit) or sets (three or four cards of the same rank).

Rummy is a card game that has truly aged in popularity ever since its most touted introduction by the Spaniards in the 19th century. As the game spread far and wide, it got new avatars specific to different regions in terms of game rules and winning formula.

If your love for rummy is true or are simply bored of the same variation, then you must try these different types of Rummy games.

List of the Best Rummy Variations

There are many variations of the game, but the basic premise is to create melds, which are sets or runs of cards by matching various cards in your hand. On that note, let's check out some of the most awesome types of rummy card games.

13 Card Rummy

13 card Rummy, also known as Paplu and Indian Rummy, has always been India's preferred card game. These types of Rummy games are a blend of popularity, simple rules, and the opportunity to test one's skills. The gameplay is clear and uncomplicated. Each player must assemble their 13 cards into sequences or sets. The first person to do so wins the game.

Points Rummy

Points Rummy is a type of 13 card rummy game, typically, a one-deal game among 2-4 players in which everyone competes for points. Players must strive to make zero score by declaring their cards before anyone else. Jokers are wild cards used to replace missing cards in melds.

Pool Rummy

In Pool Rummy, participants pay a predetermined entrance fee that goes toward the game's bonus pool. The last standing person in the game with the least number of points below the cut off mark wins the game. Rest of the players get eliminated if they reach or cross the cut off number of points. Pool Rummy is divided into different sub rummy variations such as 101 Pool Rummy, 201 Pool Rummy, and 51 pool rummy

Deals Rummy

Instead of points, participants use chips that are distributed at the start of each deal to all players. The game is played for a certain number of deals. At the completion of each deal, one player wins all of the chips.

21 Card Rummy

21 card Rummy is a popular card game that can be played in the Points Rummy format. Contrary to the 13 Card Rummy game, each player is handed 21 types of cards in Rummy rather than 13, which is an intensive deal. These kinds of rummy games are played using 2 decks of cards including three printed Jokers. A minimum of three pure sequences, three tunnelas, eight Jokers or eight dublees are necessary to win the 21 Card Rummy game. Another name of this game is Marriage. To fully grasp this card game, you should be familiar with the terminology: tunnelas, Upper Joker, Dublee, Value Cards and Lower Joker.

27 Card Rummy

The 27 Card Rummy game is played by a minimum of two and a maximum of five players by using three decks of 52 cards and an additional set of 2 Up & 2 Down Jokers. A player must proclaim at least three pure sequences in accordance with the rules of this game. Aside from these pure sequences, the remaining cards can be placed in sets or sequences. In 27 Card Rummy real money games, each non-dropped player receives positive points for value cards in hand and negative scores for value cards possessed by another non-dropped player. This game is quite easy to set up and take three to five minutes to play, so you can easily fit in 27 Card Rummy variations during your free time.

Contract Rummy or Joker Rummy

These types of Rummy card game variants consist of a number of rounds. Each round has a separate contract which vary as per the game rounds. For the first round, one player serves as dealer, and the player to the dealer's left serves as dealer for the following hand, and the process goes on. The goal of each round is to get rid of all your cards by combining, putting off, and eliminating them. To begin merging or putting off, you must first complete your contract for the round currently in play.

Kalooki Rummy

Another name of Kalooki Rummy variations is Kaluki. Kalooki is a variation of Contract Rummy that is popular in Jamaica. Kalooki rummy is often played by three to eight players using two or more normal decks of cards plus joker cards. Irrespective of how many players are participating, each player is dealt 13 cards. The goal, like in other different types of Rummy games, is to go out by setting down all of your cards into sets and sequences. A set is made up of 3-4 cards of the same value, but a sequence is made up of 3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit. This is an interesting and challenging game that is great for bonding with your fellow mates.

500 Rummy

500 Rummy is a popular Rummy game that is enjoyed by many and is played using a French playing deck of 52 cards. Points are scored in this game by melding or placing down specific combinations of cards from the hand. You are not limited to merely the top card of the discard pile in these kinds of rummy games. In fact, you can also take a card to decrease the pile. The game ends when a player has no more cards in their hand or when there are no cards in the stack when a player wishes to draw from it. The first player to earn a total score of 500 or higher over a sequence of hands wins the game.

Gin Rummy

Gin Rummy has enjoyed widespread popularity as a gambling game. This one is actually a strategy game that is similar to Poker. Players must use skills and intuition to win the game. These types of Rummy games can be played with two players, and when played across numerous hands, each player utilises their hand to build pairings of three or more cards in order to accumulate more than the 100 points. The main difference between a regular Rummy player and the Gin Rummy player is that a Gin Rummy player may choose the top card from a shuffled deck but a Rummy player must pick a card from the discard pile.

Oklahoma Rummy

The Oklahoma rummy game is a popular form of Gin Rummy which is a simple, yet challenging card game. It is played by two to four players using a conventional 52-card deck of cards. The goal of the Oklahoma Rummy game is to get clear of all your cards as quickly as possible by combining them and establishing sets or sequences. The scoring system in Oklahoma Rummy variation is slightly different. The playing cards in this variation carry specific points that are tallied at the finish of each round. The game can be very quick and fun to play with a friend, or it can become a strategic battle if you are vying for first place in a tournament.