13-Card Rummy

The popularity of rummy in India began with the introduction of 13-card rummy. The online format of 13-card rummy is an exciting game that requires a perfect combination of skills and strategies. The most basic rule with which the game starts is by dealing 13 cards to each player at the beginning of the game.

The 13-card rummy variant is played among 2 to 6 players. The main objective of the game is centered around forming sequences and sets to make a valid declaration. To make a valid declaration in the game, the player has to form at least 2 sequences, and one of them needs to be a pure sequence. The winner of the deal is the player who makes a valid declaration before other players.

13-Card Rummy’s Popularity Continues to Grow in India

The engaging format of 13-card rummy has encouraged many skilled players to participate in the game. Every social gathering in India seems incomplete without this game. It is the most commonly played Indian rummy game that brings family and friends together for a good time.

Here are some reasons why 13-card rummy is so popular:

Quick and Easy to Learn

As it's a variant played with only 13 cards, the format of the game is easier to understand. Also, most rummy players find this format thrilling because of the quick format of the game.

Skill-Based Game

To master the game of rummy, it’s important to hone your skills. The more a player focuses on playing the game by applying their strategy, the better they will become at it.

Exciting and Fun-Filled

The constant unpredictability in the game leads to a lot of thrill and excitement. Every deal is full of surprises and challenges that help every player, even skilled ones, to learn something new.

Growing Popularity of Online Rummy

The growing popularity of the game is mainly due to its accessibility, simplified format, safe and secure gameplay, and exciting gratifications.

Also Read: Rummy Tips and Tricks

Objective of 13-Card Rummy

The game's objective is simple: when a player is dealt 13 cards at the start of the game, they must arrange those cards in valid sets and sequences. This is done by picking up a card on each turn from the open or closed deck. After picking up the card, it’s compulsory to discard a card. After a certain number of turns, once the cards are arranged in the required format, the player who declares the cards first becomes the winner of the deal.

Sets

Sets can be formed by grouping the same value cards of different suits.

Example:

A♦️, A ♠️, and A ♣️

Sequence

It is necessary to have at least two sequences to make a valid declaration in the rummy game. A sequence can be formed by grouping consecutive cards of the same suit. There are two types of sequences:

• Pure Sequence

  A pure sequence consists of 3 or more cards of the same group arranged consecutively without using a joker card. However, if a joker card fits into the sequence and belongs to the same suit as the other cards, then the sequence is considered a pure sequence.

  Example:

  A ♠️2 ♠️3♠️

• Impure sequence

  An impure sequence consists of 3 or more cards of the same group arranged consecutively using a printed or wild card joker.

  Example:

  A ♠️2 ♠️🃏4♠️

Printed Joker and Wild Card Jokers

The Joker card is the most useful card in rummy. Both printed and wild card jokers can be used as replacements for missing cards in a set or sequence. There are two types of jokers:

• Printed joker

  Every deck of cards in rummy has at least two printed jokers.

• Wild card joker

  A wild card joker is selected randomly at the start of the game. Cards from different suits that carry the same value as the wild card joker can be used to form sequences or sets.

How to Play 13-Card Rummy

The objective in every game of 13-card rummy is to arrange all your cards into sets and sequences and make a valid declaration. The player who declares their cards first wins the deal.

Also Read: How to play Rummy Online

Shuffle and Dealing of Cards

In online rummy, proper shuffling is done before dealing cards to each player to ensure that all cards are randomly selected and without any bias.

Open Card

After the shuffling is complete, 13 cards are dealt to each player. A random card is then selected to be the "open card." The player who wins the toss at the start of the game makes their first move by picking up either the open card or a card from the closed deck.

Declaration of Wild Card Joker

At the start of the game, a card is selected randomly by the system. Cards from different suits that carry the same value as the wild card joker can be used to form sequences or sets.

Drawings and Discarding of Cards

On their turn, each player needs to draw and discard a card. Players can choose a card from the closed or open deck. After picking up a card, the player must discard the unwanted card into the discard pile or open pile of cards.

Declare

The player makes a valid declaration when:

• They have at least two sequences, and one of the sequences is a pure sequence.
• The rest of the cards are arranged in valid sets or sequences.

How Points are Calculated in 13-Card Rummy Game

In 13-card rummy, points are calculated based on the ungrouped cards. Each card has a point value in the game. Every numbered card (2, 3, 4, ..., 10) is worth its face value, and all face cards (K, Q, J) and Aces carry 10 points each. Here is a table with relevant examples:

Table of 2 players (Joker 2♥️)