Gin Rummy

Gin Rummy

The two player card game of Gin Rummy, also known simply as Gin, was created way back in 1909 and was fashioned with the intention of being faster and more fun to play than its predecessor, Rummy. Like so many of the popular card games, Gin Rummy is easy to learn and simple to play, using a standard 52 card deck.

Object of the game

The aim of the game in Gin Rummy is to meld your cards as quickly as possible into "runs" or "sets". A run is three of more cards of the same suit in sequence and a set is made up of three or more cards of the same rank in different suits.

Playing the game

The designated dealer deals each player ten cards, the rest of the cards are used for the stock pile, barring one which is turned face-up to create the discard pile. Taking alternate turns to draw, starting with the opponent of the dealer; players must decide whether to take a card from the discard pile or the stock pile. Once a card is chosen it must be added to the 10 cards and a player must then study his hand to decide which card is of least use, this card will then be added, face-up, to the discard pile.

Knocking

"Knocking" allow you to end a game early on an opponent. You can "knock" by tapping the table or saying the word out loud. The player that has "knocked" must then lay his cards on the table face-up and place unmatched cards, or "deadwood", in a separate pile beside them. A player may only knock if the "deadwood" amounts to a score less than 10.

Laying off

The opponent of the player that has "knocked" will have the chance lay off cards onto the tabled melds to reduce their own deadwood.

Going Gin

If a player manages to meld of their cards they can declare Gin, which instantly gives them a score of 25 bonus points as well as the deadwood count of the opponent. Laying off is not possible against a player that has "gone gin".

Scoring

Scoring in Gin Rummy is pretty straight-forward. When scoring the deadwood cards, the Aces count as one point and picture cards count as ten points, all the other cards are in order of rank. If your deadwood score happens to be lower than that of your opponent you will receive the difference between the scores. If the deadwood score of a "knocker" is equal of higher than that of an opponent then the opponent will receive a 20-point bonus and the difference between the two scores. If the opponent is able to lay off all of their unmatched cards they will receive the 25 point bonus for "going gin". If the game gets to a point when there are only two cards left on the stock pile and no player knocks or is able to make gin, a game will restart with no winner. Now that you know all about Gin Rummy, the only thing left to do is find a deck of cards and start playing!