Indian Rummy is a slight variation from the original game of Rummy. It is a form of entertainment for Indians. Housewives, daily commuters, friends, and people from other walks of life come together and engage themselves in the game. People are busy in their lives and work different jobs, but everyone has a common link; Indian Rummy. The card game acts to unify people and enables people to relax and have fun. The game is especially played during festivals or while traveling to kill time and is now gaining immense popularity on online platforms as well.
Indian Rummy requires some luck since shuffling is unbiased and the cards are dealt fairly to every player. Who gets a good hand and who gets a bad hand depends entirely on luck. The game was illegal a few years back because it was seen as a form of gambling. In 2016, Indian Rummy was legalized in India as it is now recognized as a game of tremendous skill. A person has to actively use his or her brain to devise strategies and improvise during the game to win. The game has three variations in which the number of cards dealt is different; 10 card variation, 13 card variation, and 21 card variation. The game can be played by 2 to 6 players. The game uses a single deck with the printed Joker if there are 2 players, and 2 decks with the printed Jokers if there are more than 2 players.
Indian Rummy Official Rules
- The number of decks used is 2 (with the Jokers) if there are more than 2 players, i.e. 53×2 = 106 cards. A single deck is used if there are only 2 players, i.e. 53 cards.
- To win the game, a specific number of sequences and sets have to be created. First of all, a pure sequence is necessary to gain victory in the game. A pure sequence has 4 consecutive cards (Ace, One, Two, and Three) of the same suit. The pure sequence cannot make use of the Joker. Next, another sequence is required to win the game. This sequence can be a 3 card impure sequence where the Joker can be utilized. The Joker is used to replace any card in the game. Apart from the two sequences, 2 sets are to be melded as well. A set does not require having consecutive cards. Instead, a set consists of cards that have the same value but different suits (King, King, and King). These are the requirements to win the game.
- Before the game starts, a toss is done. The deck is shuffled without any bias and laid out on the table. Every card has a value assigned to it that is the same as the number on the card (Ace, King, Queen, and Jack have a value of 10). Every player is required to pick a single card out of the deck. Whoever gets the highest value card starts the game, and the player with the lowest value card deals the cards to the other players. The rest of the deck makes the closed deck, and one card is turned to make the discard pile.
- After the game is over, the winner is declared. The points of all the deadwood cards of all players except the winner are counted. Whoever has the lowest points is placed 2nd, and so on and so forth.
To get practice in the game, the Indian Rummy can be downloaded through the app store and legitimate online Indian Rummy websites. After Rummy download, you can practice by playing free games in the lobby against real opponents.
Indian Rummy Terminologies
Certain words are used throughout the game. It is crucial to learn the meaning of these words so that you do not miscommunicate and play the game seamlessly.
- Deadwood – These are cards that are free and not included in any sequence or set at the time of counting points. The burden of these cards is counted in points, and whoever has the lowest number of deadwood cards with the lowest value is placed 2nd.
- Shuffle – The deck is shuffled at the starting of the game without bias and the cards that are dealt with the players depend on luck.
- Drop – When the player feels like dropping out of the game, he or she says Drop. A player usually drops out of the game when he is dealt a bad hand and is unable to form the required sequences and sets. This saves him from the burden of the deadwood cards.
- Count – The points of the deadwood cards are counted at the end of the game.
- Discard – A player picks up a card from the discard pile or the closed deck and discards another card.
- Wrong Declaration – A player who calls Show and fails to complete the objective of completing the necessary sequences and sets. The player is penalized with 80 points, the maximum in the game of Indian Rummy.
- Show – The player who has completed the objective of the game calls Show. If the sequences and sets are correct, he or she wins the game.
Summary
Indian Rummy is a fun way to kill time and is prevalent in Indian households through the generations. Millions of people play the game for fun and entertainment but they might not know the intricacies of the game. The aforementioned details are a stepping stone to gain experience in the game.
