16 Entertaining Rummy Variations to Play With Friends and Family

Please note that the explanations of these Rummy variations aren’t 100% complete. They are only meant to give you a good overview of how the games are played. You must also know that many of the listed Rummy variations come with their own modifications where the rules have been slightly changed. There are many ways to play Rummy games and people come up with their own ideas. 

Good to Know Before We Get Started

• Sequences often refer to three or more consecutive cards of the same suit, whereas pure sequences are the same, but with no joker cards included in them. 
• Sets often refer to three or four cards of the same numerical value, but can include more cards in some Rummy variations. 
• Meld is a common Rummy term to describe a combination of cards, such as a set or sequence.
• Laying refers to placing melds face-up on the table as opposed to holding them in your hand. 
• Laying off or building refers to adding additional cards to sets and sequences that have been melded on the table (on your own as well as your opponents’).
• In every Rummy variation, points are either won or lost based on certain factors. This can be the number and types of melds created, as well as cards still left unarranged in a player’s hand.
• All jokers, face cards, aces and numeric cards are worth a certain number of points which can vary widely from one Rummy variation to another. 

Now let’s get started checking out the Rummy variations!

1. 13 Card Rummy

13 Card Rummy, which is also commonly known as Indian Rummy and Paplu, is the most played Rummy variation in India. It is quite a basic game which is frequently enjoyed online in three different game modes:

• Points Rummy
  Played in single game rounds where the winning player earns money based on the losers’ points.
• Pools Rummy
  Played over several game rounds in a knock-out format. Players are eliminated once they reach
  a certain number of points. Last man standing wins a prize.
• Deals Rummy
  Played over a fixed number of game rounds. At the end of these, the player with the least accumulated points wins a prize.

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2. 10 Card Rummy

This Rummy variation is almost identical to the above described 13 Card Rummy. The main difference is that only one pure sequence is required to win a game round as opposed to one pure sequence + one additional sequence. In other words, in 10 Card Rummy you can win by melding a single pure sequence followed by sets and sets only. 

Yet another difference of this variation is the fact that only 10 cards are dealt to each player in every game round. 

3. 21 Card Rummy

Known as 21 Card Rummy or Marriage, this Rummy variation is quite an interesting one that comes with unique features that no other game on our list has. However, finding correct rules for this Rummy variation appears to be very difficult as players seem to have many different opinions on how the game is played. That’s Rummy in a nut-shell, but more confusing than you’d normally expect.  

The most hardcore version of the game is Wikipedia’s explanation of Marriage which originates from Nepal. In this, all players receive points for certain value cards regardless if they are melded and regardless if they win a game round or not. A simpler variation can be learned about at Khelplay, which also offers the game to be played for real money against other people.

4. Canasta

Created in Uruguay in 1939, Canasta is all about combining cards with the same numerical rank. Sequences are not included in this Rummy variation. Whenever a set is created, a player can choose to place this on the table. After that, a set can be built on by adding additional cards of the same value to it. Played in teams, a player is allowed to build on his partner’s sets. However, never on the opponents’. 

When a game round ends, all cards placed on the table will add points to a player, while all cards still left in the hand will give minus points. For the first laying in a game round, there is usually a points requirement, such as the points value of the set having to be 15, 50, 90 or 120. This requirement increases the more points a player or team has.  

Explained above is only one popular version of Canasta. You must know that this Rummy variation alone comes with over 10 different ways to be played.

5. Gin Rummy

Dating back to the early 1900s, Gin Rummy, also known as Gin, is an old variation of Rummy which is often enjoyed between two people. Unlike many Rummy variations, a player can win a game round without having all of their cards arranged. This, however, is only true if the cards that are left unarranged have a total points value of 10 or lower. 

When a player ends a game round by laying down their melds (known as knocking), the opponent also gets to lay down theirs. Unless the game round was ended without any unarranged cards left in the hand (known as going Gin), the opponent is also allowed to add cards to the knocking player’s melds.

Do note that there are many variations of Gin Rummy, such as Straight Gin, Mahjong Gin, Oklahoma Gin, Hollywood Gin and Tedesco Gin.

6. Oklahoma Rummy (Arlington)

Oklahoma Rummy, also known as Arlington, is not to be confused with Oklahoma Gin which is a variation of Gin Rummy. This game is much more similar to Canasta. 

When a game round ends, all players receive plus points for any melded sets and sequences on the table and minus points for any cards in their hands. The player winning a game round also receives bonus points. Some variations of this Rummy game state that players can trade joker cards laid down in melds for the cards they represent. For instance, holding the 7 , a player could trade this card for the joker in the following meld: 5 6 Joker 8 .

7. Contract Rummy

Contract Rummy is a type of Rummy variation that comes in many different playstyles that are similar to each other. It’s a progressive Rummy game where no game round is the same as the goal is to complete different contracts. These contracts are the following: 

Once a completed contract has been placed on the table, players are free to add cards to them or lay down additional sets and sequences. When a game round ends, all cards on the table earns a player plus points while all cards left in the hand earn minus points.  

In addition to the contracts, a unique thing about this Rummy variation is buying cards out of turn. Any player can at any time ask to buy a discarded card (up to 3 times). Doing so, he would also have to pick up an additional card from the draw pile. Thus, the total number of cards in his hand would be increased.

8. Kalooki Rummy (Jamaican Rummy)

Kalooki, also known Kaluki or Jamaican Rummy, is a Rummy variation very similar to Contract Rummy, commonly played in Jamaica. There are a couple of difference though which include the following:

• The game is played in 9 instead of 7 game rounds.
• Multiple melded sets are not allowed to be of the same numeric value. 
• Multiple melded sequences are not allowed to be of the same suit.
• Jokers are worth 50 points instead of 20.
• The contracts that have to be completed are different.

Here are the contracts in Jamaican Rummy:

9. Shanghai Rum (California Rummy)

Originating from China, Shanghai Rum, also known as California Rummy, is yet another Rummy variation based on Contract Rummy. There are differences though, which include the following:

• The game is played in 10 rounds with different contracts.
• In each game round, 11 cards are dealt to all players.
• When a player buys a discarded card, he must pick up 2 extra cards instead of 1. 
• On the 9^th and 10^th game round, a player can buy cards up to 4 times instead of 3. 
• When a player has laid down a contract, he is no longer allowed to make any buys. 

Here are the contracts in Shanghai Rum:

10. Dummy Rummy

Just like Shanghai Rum and Kalooki Rummy, this Rummy variation is based on contracts and played similarly to Contract Rummy. There is one thing that really makes it stand out though:

• Sequences do not have to be in suit (source), which is normally the case no matter the Rummy variation you play. This means that a sequence of 4 5 6 7 would be valid.

Additionally, the contracts in Dummy Rummy are as many as 12, with some being quite unique. Here are all of them:

You must also know that whenever a player decides to buy a card from the discard pile, two extra cards must be picked up and not just one as in Contract Rummy.

11. 500 Rummy

Unlike the other Rummy variations listed so far, 500 Rummy comes with the unique feature of being able to draw any card from the discard pile and not just the top one. This means that all discarded cards must be visible at all times.

Picking up a card from the discard pile can only be done if the card can be instantly used to add a meld to the table or to build on an already existing meld that has been previously laid. All cards that are placed on top of the picked-up card must also be added to the player’s hand.   

Whenever a game round ends, a player’s score is calculated by adding together the value of all cards laid on the table and subtracting this with the value of all cards still left in the player’s hand.

12. Persian Rummy

This variation of Rummy is the same as the above explained 500 Rummy, with the following differences:

• Played in two teams with two players in each team.
• One full deck is used along with four joker cards.
• Players in a team can add cards to each other’s sets and sequences laid down on the table, but never on their opponent’s. 
• Joker cards cannot be used in sets and sequences. Instead, jokers alone can make up their own hands which are worth extra many points. 

13. Dealer’s Gambit

Like Persian Rummy, this Rummy variation is based on 500 Rummy. While its gameplay is similar, it’s considered a much more strategic version thanks to one unique feature. The dealer of a game round gets to decide 1 of 3 different qualities that the joker card will have: 

• Wild Card. As is normally the case, the joker will act as a wild, but will not be worth any points.
• Double Card. The joker will not act as a wild. Instead, it can be placed on top of a melded set or sequence, which will double the points value of that meld. If done, the meld cannot be built on.
• Split Card. The joker will not act as a wild. Instead, it can be used when picking up a discarded card. If it is used, all cards that are under the picked-up card will be removed from the game round. All cards above the picked one will still have to be picked up.

14. Panguingue

Panguingue, also known as Pan, is a highly competitive Rummy variation that is very different from the previously explained ones. It is thought to have originated from the Philippines and it used to be played a lot in Las Vegas and American casinos. 

The game is preferably played with chips that represent real money. On every game round, players have to put in an ante to participate. Once they have looked at their cards, they can choose to fold or continue playing. This is a crucial move as any picked-up card must always be melded immediately.  

Whenever a player wins a game round, he will win all antes. Additionally, every player that did not fold must also pay him for his valid conditions. These conditions are special melds that include the following:

• A set of value cards of different suits (1 chip)
• A set of value cards of the same suit (2 chips)
• A set of none-value cards of the same suit (1 chip)
• A sequence starting with an Ace or ending with a King (1 chip)

This Rummy variation can be played with one or more decks having their spades removed. If so, making a condition in spades is worth double the chips.

15. Penang Rummy

Thought to be originating from Malaysia, Penang Rummy is quite a special Rummy variation. Unlike all other listed ones, there is no drawing or discarding of cards. 

In every game round, players are required to put down a melded set or sequence on the table, or, build on an already existing one that a player has laid down. Failure to do so will result in the player being eliminated from the game round. 

In difference to most Rummy variations, you want to be very careful about the melds you choose to place on the table. These will give your opponent’s more options of staying alive and possibly allow them to get rid of all of their cards. At the same time, you must minimize the points you hold in your hand. 

Whenever a game round ends, all players will receive points based on the cards left in their hands.

16. Robber’s Rummy

Dating back to the early 20^th century, Robber’s Rummy plays like a basic Rummy game but comes with a twist that changes everything up. The unique feature of this Rummy variation is that any cards that have been laid on the table are allowed to be rearranged to benefit a player. Here’s an example:

• 8 9 10 J Q is placed on the table and you hold another 10 . Cards can now be arranged as 8 9 10 and J Q where your 10 would fit behind the J .

According to rules posted at Wikipedia, this variation seems to be played in single game rounds where a final winner is crowned in each. However, one can easily add their own points system to make the game more interesting and last longer.

Other Rummy Variations 

There are many Rummy variations, to say the least. Here are some that we haven’t mentioned in this article as they have been deemed too similar to the ones already explained:

• Bing Rummy
• Biriba
• Buraco
• Carioca
• Conquian
• Continental Rummy
• Desmoche
• German Rummy
• Liverpool Rummy
• Machiavelli
• Rumino
• Ten Pennies
• Tong-its
• Treppenrommé
• Viennese Rummy
• Zioncheck

Check them out if you like to, but bear in mind that we already have and didn’t find them worth adding. 

Making Your Own Rummy Variation

Rummy is a game that comes in many different variations and many of these have derived from people and cultures making their own adjustments to fundamentals that are pretty much the same. Creating your own Rummy variation to your own particular liking isn’t very difficult. Here are some ideas on how you can do it: 

• Set limits to how long sets and sequences are allowed to be.
• Decide if joker cards are allowed to be swapped from melds placed on the table.
• Decide if laid melds are allowed to be rearranged or not.
• Include as many jokers as you like (any card can be a joker) or exclude them all together.
• Switch up the number of cards that are dealt to each player.
• The number of cards received could be different for the dealer.
• Be creative and create your own contracts that must be completed in each game round.
• Play with points or spice things up by setting a real cash value to the points.
• Whenever the draw pile runs out of cards, re-shuffle the cards and create a new draw pile or decide that a game round is over.
• Set your own rules to the discard pile. For instance, when a player is allowed to take a card from it and if he has to take extra cards along with it.

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