Rummies
Rummies is a family of card games for two or more players. The basic objective in any form of rummy is to meld one's entire hand. This is done by forming melds, which can be either sets (three or four cards of the same rank) or runs (sequences of three or more cards in the same suit).
The game typically involves dealing a hand of cards to each player, with the remaining cards placed face down as the stock pile. A discard pile is started next to the stock pile. Players take turns drawing a card (either from the stock or the discard pile) and discarding a card.
Players attempt to create melds in their hand. A player may "lay off" cards onto existing melds, either their own or, in some variations, melds created by other players. Laying off involves adding a card that fits into an existing set or run.
The game ends when a player successfully melds all of their cards, either by melding all cards at once ("going out") or by laying off all remaining cards onto existing melds. The winner then scores points based on the value of the cards remaining in the other players' hands. The player with the lowest score, or the first to reach a predetermined score, wins the game.
There are numerous variations of rummy, including:
- Gin Rummy: A popular version where players try to minimize the value of unmatched cards in their hand. Players can "knock" to end the round if they have a low number of unmatched points.
- Contract Rummy: A variation where players must fulfill specific meld requirements (contracts) in each round.
- Canasta: A rummy-like game typically played with two teams, involving the creation of melds of seven or more cards of the same rank, called "canastas".
- Mahjong: While not technically a card game, Mahjong shares similarities with rummy in its objective of forming sets and runs of tiles.
Rummy is a popular card game enjoyed worldwide for its strategic gameplay and social interaction. The various forms offer different levels of complexity and challenge, making it appealing to a wide range of players.