How Many People Play Rummy
Shanghai Rummy Rules
Follow this simple rummy rules and instructions to know how to play the game from start to end: Rummy card game is played between 2 to 6 players with 2 decks of cards. Each player is dealt with 13 cards and a random card is selected as wild joker or joker card of the game.
Shanghai Rummy is a variation of Contract Rummy. The principal differences between Shanghai Rummy and Contract Rummy are:
- There are ten rounds.
- Eleven cards are dealt to each player in every deal.
- The game uses the term 'buying' for when an out-of-turn player takes an upcard.
- There is a limit to the number of buys allowed.
- There is a limit to the number of jokers used in a set or sequence.
- If you 'go out blind' (discard all your cards in one play), you earn a bonus of 25 points (50 if youhaven't used a joker). Note that a bonus subtracts points from your score, not adds them.
- Number cards count as 5 points each for scoring, rather than the index value of the card.
Contracts: Each deal has a different contract, which consists of some combination of sets and sequences:
| Deal Number | Contract |
|---|---|
| 1 | Two Sets of 3 |
| 2 | One Set of 3 and One Sequence of 4 |
| 3 | Two Sequences of 4 |
| 4 | Three Sets of 3 |
| 5 | One Set of 3 and One Sequence of 7 |
| 6 | Two Sets of 3 and One Sequence of 5 |
| 7 | Three Sequences of 4 |
| 8 | One Set of 3 and One Sequence of 10 |
| 9 | Three Sets of 3 and One Sequence of 5 |
| 10 | Three Sequences of 5 |
When two people play, each person gets 10 cards. When three or four people play, each receives seven cards; when five or six play, each receives six cards. The remaining cards are placed face down on the table, forming the stock. The top card of the stock is turned face up and becomes the upcard. Like Oklahoma Gin and Hollywood Gin, this is a variation of Gin Rummy, but for three players. The goal of the game is to collect sets (three or four of a kind, or three or more consecutive cards of the same suit) to earn points. The game is played over several rounds. Use a standard 52-card deck. Importance of Jokers in Rummy. Jokers play a very special role in rummy and can help you win. There are two types of Jokers used in the game. Printed Joker: As the name suggests, a printed Joker has the picture of a Joker printed on it. This card can be used as a substitute for any missing card and can help you form a set or an impure sequence. Shanghai Rummy Rules. Shanghai Rummy is a variation of Contract Rummy. The principal differences between Shanghai Rummy and Contract Rummy are: There are ten rounds. Eleven cards are dealt to each player in every deal. The game uses the term 'buying' for when an out-of-turn player takes an upcard. There is a limit to the number of buys allowed.
Buying: A 'buy' is when an out-of-turn player takes the upcard. The works basically the same as it does inContract Rummy - the player has to draw an extra card from the stock, and cannot play the cards immediately, but mustwait for his turn. If more than one player wants it, the one closest to the dealer's left has precedence.
There is a limit to the number of buys allowed. In contracts 1 through 8, each player is only allowed 3 buys per hand.In contracts 9 and 10, each player allowed 4 buys per hand.
Jokers: Use of jokers works the same as in Contract Rummy, except that there is a limit to the number of jokers used in a set or sequence:
- 1 joker may be used in a set of 3, or a sequence of 4
- 2 jokers may be used in a sequence of 5
- 3 jokers may be used in a sequence of 7
- 4 jokers may be used in a sequence of 10
For the remainder of the rules, refer to the Rules for Contract Rummy,which are the same as for Shanghai Rummy.
Shanghai Rummy Variations
Pagat.com describes two additional versions of Shanghai Rummy,the first with 3-5 players and only seven contracts, and a second that deals each player 10 cards, and uses 8 contracts.
Other Shanghai Rummy Rule Links
Additional Information
Over the years, as rummy traveled the globe, it evolved. Several variants of it developed. Though the fundamental rules of rummy are the same across the spectrum of its variants, there are individual rules in each version of the game. In India, the 13 cards rummy is a favorite. If you are wondering what the hype is about, we would urge you to play 13 cards rummy to witness it for yourself.Before you start, you will need a brief introduction to 13 cards rummy. Then, you will have to practice as much as possible to master the game.
Number of players in 13 cards rummy
A minimum of two to a maximum of six people can play 13 card rummy games.Deck in 13 cards rummy
Depending on how many people are playing 13 card rummy games, 1 or 2 decks are used. Each deck has 52 cards and 2 Jokers.Dealing cards in 13 card rummy games
Each player in 13 cards rummy is dealt 13 cards. The remaining cards are placed with their faces down. This is the closed deck. The topmost card from the closed deck is placed facing up and this will form the open deck. This card is also declared the Joker and all cards of similar rank from all four suits become Jokers.Dropping from 13 cards rummy
How Many People Can Play Rummy
Players can opt to quit the 13 cards rummy game. This is called a drop. If the drop happens before the players even pick a card, then he/she is penalized 10 points. If the drop happens when the game is underway, then he/she is given 20 points.
How to win 13 cards rummy games?
The chief objective of 13 card rummy games is to arrange all the 13 cards into valid sets (3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit) and sequences (3 or more cards with the same value/rank but from different suits). There have to be at least two sequences (at least one pure, the other can be impure). The remaining cards can be arranged into any combination of sets and sequences. The first player to arrange all of his/her cards into valid sets and sequences can hit the declare button. If the cards are melded as per the rules, then this player will win the 13 cards rummy game.Why should you play 13 cards rummy?
How To Play Rummy Cards
If you are a beginner, then it is better to play 13 cards rummy because there are fewer playing cards and it is less elaborate than 21 cards rummy.