Gin Rummy

What is Gin Rummy?

Gin Rummy is a classic and fast-paced card game. The main goal is to match your cards into combinations and keep your unmatched cards to a minimum.

This is also one of the very popular card games, but it's different from the card games we've previously introduced to gamers.

Gin Rummy Game Rules

Drawing and discarding

Each player takes turns drawing or discarding a card. First, choose a card to add to your hand. You can grab the top card from the face-down deck or take the visible card from the discard pile. After you pick your card, you must choose one card from your hand to discard.

Making combinations

To win, you need to group your cards into valid combinations. A combination must have at least 3 cards. There are two ways to do this:

• Sets: Build 3 or more of the exact same cards (for example, three Kings).
• Runs: Build a sequence of cards in the same suit (for example, the Ace, 2, 3, 4 of Diamonds).

How to knock

Any cards in your hand that are not part of a combination are called Deadwood. When the total value of your Deadwood drops below 10 points, you have the option to Knock. Knocking immediately ends the current round.

How to win

• Winning the Round: Once a player knocks, both players show their cards. The player with the smaller amount of Deadwood points wins that round.
• Winning the Game: Gin Rummy is played over several rounds. Your points add up, and the first player to reach the overall Score Goal wins the entire game.

Scoring Bonus Points

You can boost your score quickly by hitting these special achievements during a round:

• Gin (+25 Points): You knock with zero Deadwood. All of your cards are matched in valid combinations.
• Super Gin (+50 Points): You get a Gin and one of your combinations is a long run of 5 or more cards.
• Undercut (+25 Points): Your opponent knocks, but when you compare hands, your Deadwood is actually smaller than theirs. You steal the win and get bonus points!