Rummy Variations
RummyCulture offers a variety of different rummy variations to suit all kinds of players. The 3 popular types of rummy on RummyCulture are Points, Pool, and Deals.
All these formats, while they follow the same basic rules of rummy, have many different sub rules that make for an exciting gameplay experience for pros and beginners alike.
Points Rummy
One of the popular and faster formats of rummy on RummyCulture is the Points rummy. There’s only one deal in each game.
Each point has a monetary value to it. Your total Buy-In would depend on the maximum points you can lose in a game. For example, 1 point = ₹0.05, and you can lose a maximum of 80 points. So, your Buy-In would be ₹0.05 × 80 = ₹4.
If you win the game, you don’t spend any money, but if you lose the game the winner will get money as per your points.
If you wish to read more, you can visit our points rummy page.
Pool Rummy
On RummyCulture, Pool rummy has 3 variations: 61 Pool, 101 Pool, and 201 Pool. There is no limit on the number of deals; players are eliminated from the game when their score reaches 61 (in 61 Pool), 101 (in 101 Pool), or 201 (in 201 Pool). These games have a fixed Buy-In, which can go as high as ₹40,000!
Since there is no limit on the number of rounds, a Pool format game can be very lengthy and requires players to think long-term. Pro players think strategically and often drop to minimise losses so they can stick around for more rounds. It is a game of patience and far-sighted planning.
If you wish to read more, you can visit our pool rummy page.
Deals Rummy
Deals rummy is another rummy variation on RummyCulture that goes on for a predetermined number of deals. All the players start with the same amount of points. At the end of each deal, the deal winner gets the total of the losing players’ points. The player with the highest points at the end of all the deals is considered the winner.
RummyCulture offers 3 formats of Deals rummy: 2 players-1 deal (fastest with only 1 round), 2 players-2 deals, and 6 players-3 deals. The Buy-In for Deals rummy starts from ₹5, going all the way to ₹20,000.
If you wish to read more, you can visit our deals rummy page.
Comparison Factors Between Points, Pool and Deals Rummy
| Factors | Points Rummy | Pool Rummy | Deals Rummy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cards Per Player | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Pure Sequences | At least 1 | At least 1 | At least 1 |
| Minimum Sequences | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Number of Decks | Up to 2 | Up to 2 | Up to 2 |
| Printed Joker in Deck | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Open Card Joker | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Joker Utilization | To make sets and impure sequences | To make sets and impure sequences | To make sets and impure sequences |
| Game Play Type | Cash and Free Play | Cash and Free Play | Cash and Free Play |
| Table Size | 2 and 6-player table | 2 and 6-player table | 2 and 6-player table |
| Calculation Unit | Points | Points | Chips - For free games Points - For cash games |
| Drop Availability | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Initial Drop Value | 20 Points | Varies depending on the variant | 20 Points |
| Mid Drop Value | 40 Points | Varies depending on the variant | 40 Points |
| Maximum loss | 80 Points | 80 Points | 80 Chips/Points |
| Invalid declaration | Loss of 80 Points | Loss of 80 Points | Loss of 80 Chips |
| Next Game Auto-Starts | Yes | No | No |
| Empty Seats on Table | Yes | Yes | No – Starts when all seats are occupied |
| Sub-variations | Points Calculation | 61, 101, 201 | Number of decks vary |
| Number of Deals | 1 | Till 1 player remains with score below selected points | 2 or 3 deals |
| Initially Dealt Chips | N/A | N/A | 2 Deals - 160 Chips 3 Deals - 240 Chips |
| Number of Winners | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Winning the Game | Make the first valid declaration | Be the player with the lowest points | Be the player with the most chips at the end of all deals. |
| Rejoin Option | N/A | Yes | No |
| Split Winnings | No | Yes | No |
| Winning Calculation | (Losing Players’s Points) × (Point Value) | Fixed Prize | Fixed Prize |
Other Variants of Rummy Popular Outside India
The card game rummy, the way we know it today, traces its origins back to some similar 19th-century card games played in the United States. Some theories suggest that rummy may have evolved from a game called Conquian in Mexico.
It eventually spread to other parts of the world in the 20th century, including Europe and Asia, where it was transformed into various regional variations. Today, various rummy variations are played by millions of people across the globe.
21 Card Rummy
In a 21-card rummy variation, 21 cards are dealt to each player and the larger number of cards comes with rules unique to this type of rummy. This variant of the game has 21 cards and uses 3 decks instead of 2. To win, a player needs to make 3 pure sequences plus additional sets and sequences.
There are many differences between this and 13 card rummy. For instance, unlike 13 card rummy where one pure sequence is enough for a valid declaration, in 21-card rummy a player needs to have three. In 21-card rummy, there are groupings called ‘dublee’ (two cards of the same rank and suit) and ‘tunnela’ (three cards of the same rank and suit). Eight Joker cards are also considered a valid group.
In this variant of the game, players use value cards along with jokers. These value cards can be used in the same way as Jokers. 7,8 and 9 of spades together are known as a Marriage Hand. It gives the player an additional 100 points from the other players.
500 Rum
Also called Pinochle rummy, this game can be played with 2-8 players and is quite popular in America. Its rules have inspired 13-card rummy. While in the other types of rummy the objective is to score the least amount of points, in this version the player who scores more than 500 points first is the winner.
Gin Rummy
Gin rummy is considered one of the predecessors of the popular 13-card rummy variation we play in India. It uses only one deck of cards and is one of the easiest versions of this game. Gin rummy is a 2-player game and each is dealt 10 cards. Players need to create sequences and sets with their cards.
Hollywood Rummy
Hollywood rummy is a slightly advanced version of Gin rummy. It is played between 2 players and with a single standard 52-card deck. The rules are different from 13-card rummy, such as an Ace is worth one point, unlike 10 points in Indian Rummy. Apart from that, face cards are worth 10 points each and number cards are worth their face values. The goal of the game is to collect sets to earn points. The game is played for several rounds.
Contract Rummy
Inspired by Gin rummy, this game is played between 3 to 8 players. In this game, one or two decks of 54 cards (including 2 Jokers) are used. There are a total of 7 deals, with players playing with 10 cards during the first 4 hands, and then with 12 cards during the last 3 hands. Each deal has a ‘contract’, or a set pattern of melds one needs to win. In this rummy variation aces equal 15 points, Jokers are worth 25 points, and face cards equal 10 points each.
| Deal Number | Cards Dealt | Contract |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 2 sets |
| 2 | 10 | 1 set and 1 run |
| 3 | 10 | 2 runs |
| 4 | 10 | 3 sets |
| 5 | 12 | 2 sets and 1 run |
| 6 | 12 | 1 set and 2 runs |
| 7 | 12 | 3 runs |
California Rummy
California rummy is a card game based on Gin rummy, and a variation of Contract rummy. It uses multiple decks of cards, including the Jokers, and goes on for 10 rounds. Up to 4 players can participate in a California rummy game. Each player is dealt 11 cards.
Oklahoma Rummy
Oklahoma rummy is quite similar to Gin rummy, except that it can be played by up to 4 players. All players are dealt 10 cards each, and they can also use a Joker in this game to create impure sequences and sets.
Liverpool Rummy
Liverpool rummy is a multi-round variation of Gin rummy. There are 7 deals in a game and the objective is to have the least amount of points at the end of all the deals. Here, sets and sequences are called Books and Runs, respectively. 10 cards are dealt to each player for the first 4 rounds, then 12 cards are dealt for the last 3 rounds.
Canasta Rummy
Canasta is a popular form of rummy from South America and Spain. It is played by 4 players in partnerships. In this variant, 4 Jokers are used in the game. All the 2s in the deck are treated as wild card Jokers and can be used to complete sequences and sets.
German Rummy
German rummy or Rommé is the most popular form of rummy played in Germany and Austria. It is played between 2 to 6 players using two decks of French playing cards (52 cards and 3 Jokers). The aim of German Rummy is to organise one's hand into sets or runs and to meld them by placing them on the table. The players’ first melds need to be at least 40 points.
Dummy Rummy
The rules of Dummy rummy variation are quite simple to understand. All 2s are treated as Jokers in this game (like Canasta) and players use 2 decks of cards along with 4 jokers. Players dispose of cards from their hands when they make sets and sequences. The following are the types of melds that people can create:
| Meld | Type |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2 sets of three cards each |
| 2 | 1 set of three cards and 1 run of four cards |
| 3 | 2 sets of four cards each |
| 4 | 2 runs of four cards each |
| 5 | 1 set of four cards and 1 run of four cards |
| 6 | 2 sets of three cards each and 1 run of four cards |
| 7 | 1 set of three cards and 1 run of seven cards |
| 8 | 3 sets of three cards each |
| 9 | 2 sets of five cards each |
| 10 | 2 runs of five cards each |
| 11 | 1 set of eight cards |
| 12 | 1 run of ten cards |
Conquian
Conquian, also known as Coon Can, is typically played by two players. Conquian has a different structure compared to the standard rummy games. In Conquian, each player is dealt 10 cards from a standard 52-card deck (excluding Jokers). The remaining cards are set aside as the stockpile. Unlike most other types of rummy, there is no open card in Conquian. Instead, players take turns drawing a card from the stockpile or the discard pile created by their opponent.
Rumino
Rumino is an Italian variation of rummy, where 2-6 players are each dealt 7 cards. It uses 2 decks of cards. The objective of the game is to push other players over 100 points and keep one’s own score low. Melds work similarly to 13-card rummy; one can make 3 or 4-card sets or sequences. Aces can be played low (i.e. Ace-Deuce-Three) and Jokers are wild. If a player has all 7 cards in a straight flush or a set, they declare ‘Rumino’ and automatically win the game. If they make one 3-card meld and one 4-card meld, they get - (minus) 10 points.
Kalooki
Kalooki or Kaluki is a card game popularly played in Jamaica. There are usually 3-8 players, and up to 4 decks of cards can be used. The objective of the game is to club all cards into 3s and 4s (sets and sequences). The point values of the cards are not the same as a standard 13-card rummy game: here a Joker equals 50 points, and a red ace (specifically) is 0 points.
