Pandemic scare and the need to stay indoors can be quite challenging for the city dwellers. It is important to have a nice way to pass your time without getting bored. You can use this time to learn rummy card game and play it online. Here are 7 simple steps to master rummy card games all by yourself. This game helps you not just understand the game rules but also its complicated strategies that winners use to win the game. So, here are 7 easy steps to learn Indian Rummy right from scratch:
Understand the Terminology
Before you watch the rummy tutorials or read posts on Indian Rummy, you should understand the terminology used in rummy games. Some of the common terminology is listed below for your knowledge:
Sequence: A sequence is an arrangement of cards (of the same sign) in ascending or descending order of their values with or without the use of jokers. All the cards in a sequence belong to the same sign.
Set/Meld: A set or meld is an arrangement of cards of same value but of different signs. All cards in a set or meld should belong to a different sign. An example would be 7 of hearts, 7 of clubs and 7 of spades can together form a meld.
Joker: A joker is a card that can be used to replace a card in a sequence or a set. Joker cards can be used as jokers in rummy. Apart from these, blank cards and pulled out cards also play the role of joker in rummy games.
Pulled-out Joker: The player next to the dealer randomly picks a card and all cards of that value are treated as pulled-out jokers. For example, if the player next to the dealer pulls a 3 of hearts, all the 3s are treated as jokers.
Open Card: The first card in the deck is left open by the dealer as the open card. This card plays the role of top card on the discarded pile for the first player.
Discarded Pile: The cards that are disposed off by the players while replacing with another card from the deck or the disposed cards is termed as discarded pile. Each player has the option to pick a card from the deck or the uppermost card in the discarded pile.
Picture Cards: As the name rightly suggests, picture cards are cards with pictures on them. The King, Queen and Jack in every sign are picture cards. The points for these cards are counted as 10 points.
High Point Cards: As the name rightly suggests, high point cards are cards with higher points. In any deck, cards from 6 to 10 and the picture cards together fall in the category of high point cards immaterial of their sign.
Low Point Cards: Low point cards are cards with lower points and cards from 2 to 5 fall in this category.
Life: Life is the minimal arrangement of cards before which the whole hand is counted as a full hand.
Full Hand: When you have not completed your life, your hand is counted as a full hand and maximum points are counted. The maximum points counted may vary based on the type of rummy game you have selected.
Know What is Life in Rummy
The meaning of life could be different for 10 cards rummy, 13 cards rummy, 21 cards rummy and 27 cards rummy. It is important to know the meaning of life and the points charged when you don’t complete it before starting to play the rummy game. In the 13 cards standard variation of rummy, a pure sequence and a real sequence are together termed as life.
Figure Out Different Ways to Make Sequences
Take time to understand the different arrangements of cards to form sequences. A pure sequence is a sequence made without use of jokers. An artificial or real sequence may use jokers for completion. Sequences can be made with just number cards. An example is 2, 3 and 4 of hearts forms a sequence. A sequence can be made using just picture cards. K, Q and J of diamonds forms a sequence. A sequence can also be made by combining number cards and picture cards. An example of this would be 8,9, 10 and J of clubs.
Figure Out Different Ways to Make Melds
There are different ways to complete melds too. You can combine Qs of different signs to form a meld. You may also combine 3 of hearts, spades and clubs to form a meld. Understanding the different combinations of cards is the key to winning rummy games.
Understand When You Must Select First/Second Drop
If you are sure you cannot complete the hand and you see the chances of the opponent winning, you may quit the game by choosing first drop or second drop. First drop is when you quit the game at the very beginning. Minimal points are charged when you choose first drop. Second drop is when you quit the game after playing a few moves. The points charged for second drop is double that of first drop.
Grasp How to Reduce Points in the Hand
In any series rummy game, the person with more points in the hand is the loser. That is why you need to understand how to reduce the points in your hand. This can be done by getting rid of high point cards and picture cards that do not form part of a sequence or a meld. You will understand these strategies when you practice few rounds of Indian Rummy.
Try to Grasp Meaning of Opponent Moves
In rummy, it is also important to understand the meaning of opponent moves. When your opponent is disposing jokers, it could mean that he has too many jokers that prevent him from completing his life. When the opponent starts disposing low point cards, he may be very near to winning. You need to plan your moves accordingly.
Download the Khelplay Rummy app to practice rummy online. It will help you grasp the rules you just learnt and put it to practice.
