Play Rummy for Free Online
Rummy is a classic draw-and-discard card game built around making melds. The playable game above uses a straightforward two-player Rummy ruleset with sets, runs, laying off, discards, and scoring from the cards left in the opponent's hand.
Objective
The objective is to go out by emptying your hand. You can do that by creating melds, laying cards off onto melds already on the table, and discarding your final card when possible.
Setup and Play Area
- Rummy uses a standard 52-card deck with no jokers in this version.
- Each player receives 10 cards. One card is turned face up to start the discard pile, and the rest become the stock.
- Players take turns drawing one card, optionally melding or laying off cards, and discarding one card.
- The game is played across hands until one player reaches 100 points.
Available Moves
- Draw the top card from the stock pile or take the top card from the discard pile.
- Meld a set of three or four cards of the same rank.
- Meld a run of three or more consecutive cards in the same suit.
- Lay off a card onto an existing set or extend an existing run.
- Discard one card to end your turn.
Rummy Strategy
- Keep connected cards that can become runs, especially middle cards such as 6, 7, and 8 of the same suit.
- Use the discard pile carefully. Taking a discard can complete a meld, but it also shows the opponent what you want.
- Meld when it meaningfully reduces your hand, but avoid exposing a meld if it helps the opponent lay off too easily.
- Discard high-value cards when they are not close to a meld.
- Watch the opponent's melds so you can lay off cards and reduce your hand faster.
Variants
- Rummy has many variants, including Gin Rummy, 500 Rummy, Contract Rummy, and Indian Rummy. This page focuses on a simple two-player basic Rummy ruleset.
- Some tables require an initial meld value before laying cards down. CardGamesHQ currently allows any valid set or run.
- Some versions use jokers or multiple decks. CardGamesHQ currently uses one standard deck without jokers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a meld in Rummy?
A meld is a valid group of cards. It can be a set of three or four cards of the same rank, or a run of three or more consecutive cards in the same suit.
What does laying off mean in Rummy?
Laying off means adding one of your cards to a meld already on the table, such as adding another 7 to a set of 7s or extending a same-suit run.
How do you score Rummy?
When a player goes out, they score the value of the cards left in the opponent's hand. Lower card values in your hand reduce the damage if the opponent goes out first.
Play Rummy Online
Rummy is a two-player draw-and-discard card game where you make sets and runs, lay off cards on existing melds, and race to empty your hand.
How to Play
Draw one card from the stock or discard pile, then meld sets or runs, lay cards off on existing melds, and discard to end your turn.
Rummy Rules
Sets are three or four cards of the same rank. Runs are three or more consecutive cards in the same suit. The goal is to get rid of every card in your hand before the computer does.
Scoring
When a player goes out, they score the value of the cards left in the opponent's hand. Aces count 1, face cards count 10, and number cards count their rank.
Controls
Use Draw Stock or Take Discard, then use Meld Best, Lay Off, or tap a card to discard. Use Undo to step back, or press Ctrl+Z on desktop.