Playing card games has been part of Indian culture for centuries. Many card games like rummy, teen patti, etc. are played by Indians, but there is one card game that remains everyone’s favorite: 13 card rummy.
Also known as Indian Rummy or Paplu, 13 cards rummy is very simple and easy to learn. The game is played with one or two standard decks (with one Joker per pack) by two or more players. When playing cards got digital, online rummy games came into existence and became immensely popular. You can simply download a rummy app on your smartphone and play the game at your fingertips.
Remember that 13 card rummy is a game of skill. You require a lot of practice and patience to master the game. Moreover, the right balance between strategies and skills can help you become a successful rummy player. If you are a beginner or want to brush up on your skills, keep reading as we walk you through the nitty-gritty of the online rummy game.
Basic terminology used in 13 card rummy
Before you play rummy online, there are a few basic terms you need to know. Let’s explore them below.
Card deck: A standard card deck consists of 52 cards. Depending on the number of players, one or two card decks, plus one Joker per deck, is used in a 13 card rummy game.
Players: Minimum 2 and maximum 6 players can participate in a rummy online game. Many rummy apps/sites offer separate tables for 2, 4, and 6 players.
Jokers: There are two types of Jokers in the game: printed Jokers (one per deck) and wild Jokers. The wild Joker is picked randomly from the cards that remain after dealing 13 cards to each player and all the cards of that rank/value act as wild Jokers. For example, if the 5 of Spades gets selected as the wild Joker, the 5 of each suit will act as a wild Joker. Jokers can be used in place of any missing cards in sets and sequences. However, a sequence in which a Joker replaces a card is an impure sequence. It is mandatory to form at least one pure sequence in the game.
Deal: At the beginning of the game, cards are dealt (distributed) to each player. Then the leftover cards are kept on the table face down. The deck formed by the remaining cards put face down is known as the closed pile or closed deck. One card from the deck is placed face-up on the table to form the open deck. When the game begins, each player has to pick a card from the open deck or the closed deck and discard a card to the open deck on each turn.
Drop: A player can choose to drop out of an ongoing 13 card online rummy game. If a player drops before picking up any card, it becomes an initial drop and he/she gets 20 penalty points. If a player drops anytime after picking their first card, it becomes a middle drop. For a middle drop, the player gets 40 penalty points.
The objective of the 13 Card Rummy Game
The objective of this game is simple. A player has to arrange all their 13 cards invalid sequences and sets and then make a declaration to win. But what are sequences and sets in a rummy card game? Let’s take a look at them below.
Sequence: When 3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit are grouped together, it is a sequence. There are two types of sequences: pure and impure. Take a look at these examples.
Pure sequence: 3♥-4♥-5♥
Impure sequence: 3♥-4♥-Joker.
Set: When 3 or 4 cards of the same rank but different suits are grouped together, it is a set. See the examples below.
Set: 3♥-3♦-3♠.
There should be at least two sequences out of which at least one must be a pure sequence. All other cards should be arranged in sequences or sets. The player who successfully arranges all their cards first and declares their hand wins the game.
How to play the 13 Card Rummy Game?
A 13 card rummy game starts when cards are dealt with all the players at the table. Each player gets 13 cards from the deck and the remaining cards form a closed deck and an open deck. The cards are sorted and the game begins. Players have to wait for their turn to pick cards either from the closed pile or the discard pile.
After picking a card, a player has to discard one card from their hand. This can be done by selecting the card and clicking on the ‘Discard’ button. The discarded card is kept face up in the discard pile and becomes available for the next player to pick.
The game of 13 cards rummy progresses in this fashion. The game ends when a player arranges all their cards and makes a valid declaration.
Hopefully, this guide will help you play online rummy games confidently. You can also play rummy and win money online. Don’t forget to play practice games before joining cash games. That will help you understand the platform well and sharpen your rummy skills. Happy gaming!
