What is Indian Rummy?

Rummy is the most popular card game played in Indian households and the same holds true for online rummy. Indian Rummy is a widely played version of the rummy card game. A total of 2-6 players can engage in this game. There are several variations of rummy with slightly different rules.

13 Card Rummy: The most popular version of Indian Rummy is the 13 card game. In this format, 13 cards are distributed from a standard 52 card deck to all the players. If there are 6 or more players involved, then another 52 card deck is used. Players have to draw and discard cards, until one player makes a valid declaration by completing sets and sequences. A pure sequence is a must for a valid declaration.

21 Card Rummy: This is a variant of Points Rummy, where 2-6 players can play at a time. Three standard decks of cards are used and it is slightly more complex than the traditional Indian Rummy. In 21 Card Rummy, players must make 3 pure sequences and use extra jokers to maximize their strategy.

Variations of Indian Rummy:

Points Rummy: It is a widely played version of the Indian Rummy game. 13 cards are distributed to the players from a standard deck of 52. The game is played on a preset point value, the winner collects the total points lost by the opponents. For example: If each point is played at a value of ₹1 and the total points lost by defeated players is 107, the winner will get ₹107 as winnings.

Pool Rummy: This version of Indian Rummy is also played with 13 cards, but for a longer period of time. There are three preset point values (61, 101, and 201) on most online rummy platforms. Players have to avoid reaching those numbers before their opponents to win the game.

Deals Rummy: This format of Indian Rummy is very similar to Points Rummy. However, instead of points, the players have to collect chips from their opponents during each session. Deals Rummy is usually entered with a set Buy-In value, which the players contribute to the total pot or prize pool. For example: In a Deals Rummy contest involving 6 players with a Buy-In of ₹10 per player, the total prize pool is ₹60. The player who collects the most chips from defeated opponents wins the total prize money.

Indian Rummy Terms and Terminologies:

Rummy Glossary:

101 Pool Rummy: 101 pool rummy format involves a process of elimination. There is a preset value limit, and the player who reaches that limit first is eliminated. In this case, the preset value is 101 points. Losing players gain points equal to the value of cards they have failed to form sets and sequences with.

Ace: A standard deck of 52 cards has four aces of four different suits (Spades, Clubs, Hearts, and Diamonds). Ace can be used to make a lower sequence like Ace-2-3 or a higher sequence like Queen-King-Ace.

Declare: In rummy, a player declares when they have finished arranging their cards in sets and sequences. In a 13 card rummy game, you have to finish arranging your cards and drop the 14th card face down on the discard pile to complete a declaration.

Draw Pile: In a game of 13 card rummy, after cards are distributed to the players, the remaining cards are kept face down on the table - this forms the draw pile.

Shuffle: After every session of rummy, the dealer mixes the cards well before distributing for the next round. This action is called ‘Shuffle’.

Discard Pile: During a game of rummy, players pick and drop cards, and the dropped cards are left face up in a pile called the ‘Discard Pile’. Players on their immediate turn can pick up the topmost card from the discard pile.

Wildcard Joker: The card selected by the dealer after distributing cards to all the players is considered a wild joker. Players can use a wildcard joker to form sets or sequences.

Set: A group of three or a maximum of 4 cards of the same rank but different suits is called a ‘Set’.

Sequence: A sequence is made of 3 or more cards of the same suit. For example, Ace-2-3-4-5 is a sequence.

Pure Sequence: A pure sequence is made up of 3 or more cards of the same suit without a joker. For example: 9-10-J.

Suit: In a standard deck of 52 cards, there are always 4 suits: Spades, Clubs, Hearts, and Diamonds.

Local Terms used in Indian Rummy:

Rummy is deeply rooted in Indian culture and traditions. This game is played in almost every other Indian household and thereby has developed vernacular or colloquial terms. The most common of these terms are: Paplu, Nichlu, and Tiplu.

Paplu: This term is locally used for the King card. The King holds the highest point value of 10 and can help in forming a set or sequence.

Nichlu: Similar to the King, Nichlu is commonly used by locals to describe the Queen card. It holds the same value of 10 as the King.

Tiplu: This local term is used for the Jack card, which also holds 10 points.

Rules for Indian Rummy:

The card game of rummy has basic rules that remain the same for all 13 card variants. The differences are in point values and calculations for different variants. The basic rule is that each player starts with 13 cards and has to form valid sets and sequences to complete the game. A valid declaration must have one pure sequence.

Sets: A ‘Set’ is a group of 3 or 4 cards of the same rank but different suits. Sets can also be formed by using jokers.

Sequence: A ‘Sequence’ is a run of 3 or more cards of the same suit. Any sequence that contains a joker becomes an impure sequence. A pure sequence cannot contain a joker, example: Ace-2-3-4.

Printed Joker and Wildcard Joker: There are two printed jokers in a standard 52 card deck. A printed joker can replace any missing card to complete an impure sequence or a set. A wildcard joker is designated by the dealer at the start of the game as a joker and works similarly to the printed joker.

Learn How to Play Indian Rummy:

The 13 card version of Indian Rummy is easy to learn and play. The main objective is to create sets and sequences to make a valid declaration.

Shuffling and Dealing of Cards: The dealer must shuffle the cards properly before each round. 13 cards are then dealt face down to all the players.

Open Card: ‘Open Card’ refers to the open deck of cards from which players can draw during their turn.

Declaration of Wild Card Joker: Wild card jokers can be used to form sets or impure sequences. For example, if you’re making 7-8-9 but 9 is missing, you can use the wild card joker to complete the sequence.

Drawing and Discarding of Cards: Players can draw from the ‘Open Deck’ or ‘Discard Pile’ during their turn. After drawing, they must discard a card to keep the total in hand at 13.

Declare: To win, a player must make a valid declaration with at least two sequences, one of which must be pure.

How Points are Calculated in Indian Rummy?

The objective is to earn zero points by making a valid declaration. Players who fail to make the required combinations receive penalty points equal to the value of their ungrouped cards.

The example of points calculation in a standard game of rummy with 6 players is shown below:

How Winnings are Calculated in Real Cash Rummy Games?

When playing rummy cash games online, it's all about how much money you can win. Here's how the winning amounts are calculated in different variants of cash rummy:

Winnings in Points Rummy:

In Points Rummy, there is always a predetermined amount set to each point. The winner receives an amount equal to the value of all the points lost by the opponents.

For example: If the point value is set at ₹2 per point and an opponent loses 90 points, the winner will get 90 x ₹2 = ₹180 as real cash winnings, minus platform fees.

Winnings in Pool Rummy:

In Pool Rummy, players pay a fixed entry amount for the table. The winner receives the total amount of entry fees, minus the platform fees.

For example: If the entry fee for a table of 6 players is ₹10, then the total prize pool is ₹60. The winner will receive this amount after platform fee deductions.

Winnings in Deals Rummy:

In Deals Rummy, the points are set in chips. The winner collects chips from defeated opponents, and the sum is converted into cash based on the value of each chip.

For example: If player 1 wins 20, 10, 35, 40, and 30 chips from other players, they have won a total of 135 chips. If each chip is worth ₹1, the winner gets ₹135 as cash winnings, minus platform fees.

Indian Rummy Tournaments on Rummyprimes:

On the Rummyprimes app, players can join multiple online tournaments throughout the week. These tournaments include cash events that require a Buy-In for entry, as well as free-entry events like Evening Googly, Saturday Googly, and Big Game Sunday. In free tournaments, players can register at no cost and stand a chance to win up to 20 lakh+ in rewards.