Gin Rummy

Gin Rummy

Gin Rummy (or simply Gin) is one of the most popular two-handed card games. It not only can be played for money but is fun to play in its own right. All 52 cards are used. Suits, however, do not play a role in the game. Face cards are worth 10 points each; numbered cards are worth their face value; and Aces are worth one point each. One common variation, however, is to allow Aces to be either high or low. Usually when this is done, Aces are worth 15 points instead of one. The object is to get rid of the cards in your hand by creating sets of three or more cards that can be “melded.” Timing is important, though – the sets are played differently depending on who melds his or her cards first. The sets can be formed in two ways:

• Series: Three or more cards form a series in sequential order, such as a 4-5-6-7 or a 10-I-Q.
• Matching Sets: This is when cards are put in groups of the same value, such as an 8-8- or an A-A-A-A.

To play the game, 10 cards are dealt to each of two players and the remainder of the deck is placed in a pile between them. The dealer turns over the top card from this pile and places it face up to begin a discard pile. The second player then has the option of taking this card and switching it with one of the cards in his hand or passing and giving the dealer the same option. If the dealer also passes, the second player takes the card that is on the top of the pile – so that momentarily there are 11 cards in his hand. One of the 11 cards is then placed face up on top of the discard pile.

The dealer must then either take the card that has been discarded or the next card from the deck. This continues until a player decides to end the round of play, by melding his or her cards to reveal the hand.

Beautiful girls. Photo by Elena

Here’s where it gets complicated. The first player to meld or “knock” must have fewer than 10 points in hand that are not part of sets. For example, after several rounds of drawing cards, a player might knock with the following hand: 5-5-5 (a set), 8-9-10-J (another set), and A,2,2,K (not a set). This player can discard the King and then meld with the set of 5s, the 8 through Jack sequence, and five points (A+2+2).

The second player then must meld his or her cards, too. In doing so, the second player has the added advantage of being able to play cards off the first player’s hand.

For example, the second player might have the following hand: 2-3-4, 9-9-9, 4,5,8,Q. The 2 through 4 sequence and the 9s would be played in their own right. However, the Q could also be played off the 8 through Jack sequence of the first player, as would the 5 with the three 5s. This would leave the second player with only 12 unused points (4+8). The player who knocked would earn the difference between the two hands, or seven points (12-5).

If a player knocks and then is beat (or underscored), then the second player gets an additional 25 points for the feat. If a player melds an entire hand, with no extra cards, then he is entitles to say “gin” and obtains an extra 25 points. The winner of each round deals the next hand.

The game continues until one player reaches 100 points (or any pre-determined score). To play for money, players typically bet a certain sum per point. For example, a final score of 105 to 80 would result in 25 points to the winner.