Types of Rummy Games

Around The World With Rummy

Why are there so many types out there?

Rummy games were one of the most popular card games played throughout the world. By the mid 20th century, they became a worldwide fad. It is unknown where Rummy card games originated and many different countries around the world seems to have their own type of card game that may have been the start. Although there are many types of Rummy, and each region uses their own set of rules, there are only slight differences between them. This card game lost its worldwide appeal over time, but is making a comeback in the world of card games and is now the second most popular card game in the Western world.

Every country has its own origins of rummy. The first type of Rummy to have appeared in America is Panguingue, which is said to have become a popular card game in California during the gold rush. In Germany, it is said that Rummy began with a card game called Robber's Rummy in the early 20th century. One of the most developed and distinctive Rummy versions are said to be from Central America and is called Canasta which means "basket" in Spanish. It is in Asia, however, that many believe Rummy had its first true start through the popular game of Mah Jong which is over a thousand years old; Mah Tiao is the card version of this game. Rummy cube or Rummikub is a tile-based Rummy game that was invented in Israel by Ephraim Hertzano.

Are there any differences?

To explain the regional differences between the Rummy games in the different countries, a basic understanding of the very basic rules must be explained. First the game is played clockwise, starting with the player on the left hand side of the dealer. Anyone can shuffle the deck as long as the dealer is the last to shuffle. It is the player on the right hand side of the dealer who cuts the deck. The dealer then hands out the cards to each player, starting with the left and the remaining cards are left in the middle of all players to create the stock. The dealer must take the first card from the stock and place face up. When the game begins, each player must take a card and also discard a card. A meld is optional and occurs when a player has at least a set of three cards that are in sequence and in the same suit and puts them in front of them face up. Points are scored after a player has run out of cards, but how much each card left in the hands are worth depends on the version being played.

In Asia, the game Tonk is much like standard Gin Rummy, except that there are several things agreed on formally before the game is played. These things include how many melds and points can be made during the game. The players must also agree on an amount of money to play in a pot for the winner of the game.

A popular form of Rummy is Contract Rummy. This is when a certain way of melding is required in each round. There are several versions of contract Rummy which are: Shanghai Rummy, with 10 contracts, Liverpool Rummy with 7 contracts, and Continental Rummy with 1 contract.

Canasta, the most distinctive version of Rummy has several differences that separate it from regular Rummy. One of the most notable difference is the fact that the melds you form in front of you may be added to and changed into different melds as long as they still follow the basic melding rules. A seven card meld is also highly regarded as it gives the player an added bonus, this type of meld is usually a deciding factor in winning the game. When a player chooses to take a card from the discard pile, all the cards in that pile must be taken instead of just the first in the pile. These differences can make the game much more challenging.

Out of all the different types of Rummy, the most popular is Gin Rummy. What makes it different is that not only do players form melds, but they must also get rid of what is called deadwood which are cards that are not part of a meld. There is also the concept of knocking which involves counting the number of deadwood cards. A score of zero deadwood cards is called a Gin hand. The scoring is slightly complicated as they calculate knocking points, underknocking points, three types of bonuses and Big Gin.

Rummy card games have been popular since the 20th century but now online and desktop games are most accessed and played. There are countless number of variations played throughout the world and many theories on how Rummy began. Although there are so many versions of Rummy, most ways are very similar to the basic version of Rummy with only few changes according to regional preferences. The more distinctive variations have become popular worldwide, regardless of their origin. It is a fun game that requires strategy that can be played with anyone from any country.