Rummy is played between 2 to 6 players and each player is dealt 13 cards. For 2 or 3 players, two 52-card decks (104 cards) and 4 jokers (wild cards) are used. For 4 to 6 players, three decks (156 cards) and 6 jokers are used. Each player turn by turn (in clockwise order) deals the cards. Rummy is interesting and challenging. It requires skill, use of memory and complete focus and involvement in the game.

The Object of the Game. The object is to form Runs (or sequences) and Sets. And when a player has formed required runs and sets using all the 13 card, the player declares his/her turn. A valid declare must have minimum two runs and out of these runs one run must be pure (called First Life). The second run can be pure or non pure (called Second Life). Either First Life or Second Life must have 4 or more cards. On a valid declare the scores of the rest of the players are counted.

For the rest of players all the unmatched cards are counted. A player must meet the requirements of minimum two runs (First Life and Second Life) else all the 13 cards are treated as unmatched and are counted. When all the 13 cards are unmatched, the player loses 80 points. A Run (or Sequence). A run consists of 3 or more cards of same suit and are in consecutive order. The valid order being A-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-J-Q-K-A. Thus with ace you can form the run A-2-3 or Q-K-A but you can not form K-A-2. Examples of valid runs are 4-5-6 , 9-10-J, 9-10-J-Q, A-2-3-4 and 8-9-10-J-Q-K. These are pure or straight or natural runs (runs without a joker).

A run can also use a joker as substitute for any missing card. Such a run is non pure run. Examples of non pure runs are 4-5-joker, 2-3-joker-5. In a run you can use only one joker as a wild card

Each player is dealt 13 cards face down. The next card from the deck is placed face up on the table; this starts the discard pile. Rest of the cards are placed face down in the centre of the table; this is the stock pile. Each player picks his/her 13 cards and views them and then sorts them according to his/her choice. In Rummy a card is picked from the stock pile and placed face up under the stock pile so that it is visible. All the cards of that rank regardless of the suit can be used as additional jokers. For example in a 2 or 3 players game using two decks, the card picked and kept visible under the stock pile is 9, then the additional jokers are 9, 9, 9 of one deck and 9, 9, 9, and 9 of the second deck; total seven in all. Thus in a 2 or 3 players game there are 11 jokers in all and in a 4 to 4 players game there are 17 jokers in all except if the card kept under stock pile is a printed joker.

A Valid Declare. The player who is first to use all the 13 cards to form runs and sets that also meet the basic requirement of two runs (at least one is pure and one has minimum 4 cards), declares his turn.

Declaring in Rummy. When you have used all the 13 cards to form the runs and sets that meet the basis requirement, instead of putting your 14th card on the discard pile, you put it on the areas “Tap to throw your card and Declare.” Rummy will ask for your confirmation that you are ready to declare. After your Yes, you are ready to declare (or show) your cards.

Select the cards of a valid run or set and tap on the plank. Then select cards of second valid run or set and tap the next plank. And so on. If you have unused jokers, select these jokers and put on a separate plank. When you are all set to declare, select Declare. It is your responsibility to declare your cards properly and you must keep each run and set separate. If you make any mistake while declaring, you can undo it. Select the plank with cards that you want to rearrange. Then select Reset.

Legality. In India playing rummy online is legal. Rummy has been declared by the courts of law to be a game of skill or mere skill and is excluded from the applicability of laws prohibiting betting and gambling.