How to Play Gin Rummy

Gin Rummy is a round-based card game, where the goal is to win as many rounds as possible and be the first to reach 100 points. When a player reaches 100 points, the game ends, and the final scores are revealed.

How to Play Gin Rummy

It can be a little bit complicated to learn how to play Gin Rummy at first. However, as you begin to gain more experience, it will only get easier and easier. Continue reading to learn the rules, as well as some variations of the classic game.

Rounds

At the start of a round, each player is dealt 10 cards. The remaining cards in the deck are stacked face-down in the middle of the play area. There is always one card face-up next to the deck. Players can choose to pass or take the face-up card. In later turns, you can choose to take the face-up card, or draw a card from the deck. After that, you have to return one card, face-up, to the center of the play area.

Melds

Melds can be formed by having a sequence of three or more cards of the same suit that increase in rank by 1 (3 of diamonds, 4 of diamonds, 5 of diamonds), or 3 or more of the same rank (6 of diamonds, 6 of clubs, 6 of spades). Melds are automatically highlighted in your hand. Keep an eye on the face-up card in the middle -- your opponent may drop the card you need to complete one of your melds!

Deadwood

Deadwood refers to all the cards in your hand that are not part of any Melds. The Deadwood value is calculated by adding the values of these cards, regardless of their suit (Ex. two Kings and a 5 = 25). Face cards are worth 10 points, number cards are worth their number, and Aces are worth 1 point. Try to keep your Deadwood as low as possible by forming melds and discarding higher cards strategically.

Knock

You can Knock when your Deadwood has a value of less than 10. When you knock, all cards are revealed, including your opponent's Deadwood. If your Deadwood is lower, you win the round.

Scoring a Knock is simple: subtract your Deadwood from your opponent's. For example, if your Deadwood is 5 and your opponent's is 40, you score 35 points. This is the "Deadwood difference". The bigger the difference between your scores, the bigger your score.

Gin and Big Gin

If your Deadwood is 0 or can be 0 after discarding your last Deadwood card, you have a Gin. This guarantees a win and awards you a bonus of 25 points plus the Deadwood difference.

A Big Gin is even better: if your entire hand, plus the card you just drew, forms Melds, you receive a larger bonus. Always Knock on a Big Gin as soon as you have it!

Goal

The goal is to win as many rounds as possible and be the first to reach 100. When a player reaches 100 points, the game ends, and the final scores are tallied. You earn an extra 25 points for each round you win and some additional points for being the first to reach 100 points.

Variations of Gin Rummy

There are 4 kinds of Gin Rummy available for you to choose from, each with its own unique flair. However, you are not just constrained to this, you can always tweak the rules to be exactly what you prefer. Continue reading to learn about each variation.

Default

The version that we just described is the Default version. It’s the one we recommend starting out with, as it is the most common kind of Gin Rummy.

Time Freedom

If you get stressed out with the clock, consider playing on Time Freedom mode. This will give you an unlimited clock to ponder your moves, so you can really get adjusted to the game. If the Default mode is just a little bit too fast for you, give Time Freedom a chance!

Straight Gin

For those who want an even simpler version of Gin Rummy, Straight Gin is a great option. In this alternative, there is no knocking and no bonus. This means that the entire goal is to form a perfect hand in order to win. 

Oklahoma Gin

The last preset version that we have on the site is Oklahoma Gin. The difference in Oklahoma Gin is that the knock limit is set by the first discard in the game. If the first discard is a 2 through 10, then that is the knocking limit. If it is a Jack, Queen, King, or Ace, then the value is also a 10. 

So now that you have learned how to play Gin Rummy, as well as some of the variations that come with it, make sure to check it out! You can either hop online to play an opponent from around the world, or just play a bot. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be a great time.