How to Play Rummy

The card game of Rummy is similar to Gin Rummy, but there are some notable differences. There are fewer rules in this game, which makes it easier for kids to play, and there can be more than two players. Unlike Gin Rummy, you must be the first to get rid of all your cards to win a round in this game.

Things You'll Need

• Deck of cards
• 2 to 6 players

Instructions

Dealing and Setting Up the Game

1. Shuffle and cut the cards.

2. Deal out the cards one at a time to each player. If you have two players, each player gets 10 cards. For three or four players deal out seven cards each, and for five or six players deal six cards each.

3. Put the remaining cards in a face-down pile; this is called the "stock" pile.

4. Turn over the top card on the stock pile and place it face-up next to the stock pile, which will be the start of a "discard" pile.

Playing the Game

1. Understand the object of the game, which is to try to get rid of your cards as you group them into "melds." A meld is a set of 3 or 4 of a kind or a "run" (three or more cards in order of the same suit-such as the 5, 6 and 7 of hearts). In this game, Ace is the lowest card.

2. Group all your matching cards and beginning of runs together in your hand after the dealer gives you your cards, which will make it easier to match up your melds.

3. Take the top card from either the stock pile or the discard pile if you are the player to the left of the dealer, who is the first to play. If you can make any melds, lay them down in front of you so that all cards in the meld are visible. Discard one of your cards by placing it face-up in the discard pile.

4. Place a card down onto an existing meld (your own or someone else's) when it is your turn if you have a card that matches the meld or if you draw a card that matches the meld. For example, if someone lays down a meld of 3 kings and you have the other king, you may lay it down when it becomes your turn, or if you have all 3 kings in your meld and you draw a king you may lay it down.

5. Go clockwise around the table taking your turn by drawing a card from the stock or discard pile, making melds and laying down a card in the discard pile. Win the round by being the first to rid your hand of all cards.

6. Add up all player's remaining cards and give that number to the winner as his score. Aces are worth one point, face cards are worth 10 points and number cards are worth the number on the card. Shuffle and play again.

7. Win the game by being the first to reach a score of 100. If you don't want to keep score, win the game by being the first to win five rounds.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can lay all your cards down in melds in one turn, that is "Going Rummy" and you automatically win the round.

• Discard high cards such as face cards if you can't put them into melds early in the game to prevent from giving away too many points if you lose.