A Rummy program for Windows (a two-player game against the computer with 10 cards dealt to each player) is available from Card Games Galore. The Rummy program from Special K Software supports ten Rummy variants, which you can play against computer opponents. You can play Rummy online against the computer or against live opponents at VIP Games.
Now, if you’ve always wanted to get in on the exhilarating rummy action, but didn't know quite how to play rummy, what the game was all about, or indeed what the rules and object of the game was, then you’ve come to the right place, for we’re here to answer all these questions and more for you. After you go through this simple and easy Indian rummy guide, you would be well equipped to get right into the heart of the action, and even win. So let’s get started with this 13 card rummy guide.
Put very simply and succinctly, the objective of the game of Indian rummy is to create sequences and sets from the cards you hold in your hand. (We will get into the rules of the game later on in this page.) Creating valid sequences and sets faster than any of your opponents gives you a better chance of winning the game.
Before we go headlong into this guide on how to play Indian rummy, and before we get into the intricacies and nuances of the game, it’s important that you understand some basics and fundamentals of rummy first. Here they are:
Now that we’ve clearly understand the fundamentals of the game, let’s get into the rules of the game and tell you how to play rummy! So here we go!
Any guide on how to play 13 cards rummy online must include a clear explanation as to what a sequence is. As mentioned before, there are two types of sequences, they are Pure Sequences and Impure sequences.
Pure sequences: : A consecutive group of three or more cards of the same suit, created without the use of a printed or wild joker. Here are examples of Pure Sequences:
Example 1:
7♠ 8♠ 9♠
As you will notice from Example 1 above, there is a consecutive valid sequence formed by cards of the same suit. Also, the sequence does not contain a joker
Example 2:
Ace♣ 2♣ 3♣ 4♣
From Example 2, you will notice once again that there is a valid sequence of cards from the same suit as dictated by the rules of the game, also no jokers are used. In this example you will also notice that sequences need not be only three cards, but could involve four cards as well.
Impure sequences: This sequence can be defined as a group of consecutive cards of the same suit, but which is only possible with the use of a joker (printed or wild joker). Let’s look at a couple of examples of Impure sequences.
Example 1
4♦ 5♦ Joker 7♦
In Example 1, you will notice that either the printed joker or the wild joker has been used to form a valid sequence of the Diamond suit beginning from 4♦ and extending upwards to the 7♦. The joker has been used in place of the missing 6♦.
Example 2
King♠ Queen♠ Jack♠ Joker
In Example 2, the joker has been used to complete a sequence from the Spades suit, standing in place of the 10♠.
A how to play card rummy guide must also clearly explain what a valid rummy set is. Therefore, a set can be defined as a group of cards (Three or Four cards) of the same value but from different suits. A valid set however, should not contain two or more cards of the same suit. Please note however that a set should not have more than four cards, and a joker can be used to complete a valid set.
Example 1
King♣ King♦ King♥ King♠
In Example 1, you will notice that the cards used to form the set are of the same face value or printed value i.e., the King. You will also notice that each card in this set belongs to different suits.
Example 2
Joker 7♦ 7♥ 7♠
In Example 2, a joker has been used in place of the 7♣ to complete a valid set of four cards. You will notice that the cards in the set have the same face value, but belong to different suits.
A set is said to be invalid if two or more cards of the same suit are used to form the set of three or four cards. Let’s look at examples of invalid sets:
Example 1
4♠ 4♦ 4♥ 4♠
From Example 1, you can clearly see that even though the set has been formed by cards of the same face value or the same printed value, the card of the ♠ suit has been used twice, and therefore it is considered as an invalid set.
Example 2
Queen♣ Queen♦ Queen♥ Queen♦
In Example 2, again you will notice that even though each card is of the same face value, there are two cards from the ♦ suit. This therefore, cannot be considered as a valid set.
A declaration is a pivotal and culminating and crucial part of the game when you play rummy for cash or otherwise. Therefore, it’s important to know what a valid declaration or show is with examples. A valid declaration should use all 13 cards and must contain:
● Two valid sequences
● Two valid sets
● At least one Pure sequence
Examples of valid declarations
Example 1
Ace♦ 2♦ 3♦ 4♦ - Valid sequence 1
5♠ 6♠ 7♠ - Valid sequence 2
9♦ 9♠ 9♣ - Valid set 1
Queen♠ Queen♦ Queen♣ - Valid set 2
From Example 1, you will notice that all 13 cards have been used to form two valid sequences and two valid sets. Also, there is at least one Pure sequence. Therefore, this is a valid declaration.
Example 2
3♥ 4♥ 5♥ 6♥ - Valid pure sequence 1
Jack♣ 7♥ Jack♥ - Valid sequence 2 where 7♥ is the wild joker (Impure sequence)
Queen♠ Queen♦ Queen♣ - Valid set 1
9♠ 9♥ 9♣ - Valid set 2
In Example 2, there are two clear sequences, one pure sequence, and the second one an Impure sequence which uses the joker to complete the sequence. You will also notice that there are two valid sets as well - all of this ensures that this is a valid declaration
An invalid declaration is one where at least one of the sequences and/or sets are invalid and/or does not contain the correct number of sequences and sets. Let’s look at some examples:
Example 1 - Where 9♥ is the wild joker
A♥ 2♥ 3♥ 4♥ - Valid pure sequence
5♣ 5♠ 9♥ - Valid set 1 with wild joker
6♦ 6♠ 9♥ - Valid set 2 with wild joker
7♦ 7♣ 7♥ - Valid set 3
In Example 1, all the sequences and sets are valid, however, there is only one sequence. In order to make a valid declaration, there must be at least two valid sequences.
Example 2 - Where an invalid set is used
A♣ 2♣ 3♣ 4♣ - Valid sequence 1
5♣ 6♣ 7♣ - Valid sequence 2
7♥ 7♦ 7♥ - Invalid set
9♦ 9♠ 9♣ - Valid set 2
From Example 2, you will notice that 7♥ has been used twice to form an invalid set. As such, this invalidates the who declaration, even though the other criteria has been met. With that, we complete this rummy guide. Now we do hope you are now all set to enter the rummy arena! You could even begin with a few practice games on RummyCentral. Nothing comes close to the sheer excitement, thrill and rush of playing rummy. This game of skill is so very interesting and engrossing that it continues to be one of the most popular games in India. What’s more, once you add the possibility of winning some cash - the stakes are raised by several notches, and the excitement builds so very deliciously. Now, we do hope to see you at RummyCentral, where you can get stuck into some truly exciting rummy action!
To learn how to play rummy, we must first understand the rummy deck and cards.