The reason why the Indian rummy game is so popular among people around the world is because of the large number of rummy variants. Some of these rummy variants which are really popular include the likes of Shanghai Rummy, Contract Rummy, Dummy Rummy, Gin Rummy, Classic Indian Rummy. Among these variants two which are the most played by people around the world are classic Indian rummy and gin rummy. If you are new to the rummy game then it’s important that you know the difference between these two variants so that you are able to adapt when you play these.

The number of players

Classic Rummy: When it comes to classic rummy game the number of players that can play this game on a table can be anywhere from two to six.

Gin Rummy: When it comes to gin rummy, the number of players is either two or four.

Process to choose the dealer

Classic Rummy: If you are going to play the classic Indian rummy game online, be it for real cash or free, the cards will be dealt to you automatically by the game program as there is no involvement of a human dealer. However, if you play the same variant offline, for the first game/round the dealer will be chosen randomly and in the round/games ahead the opportunity to deal the card will move clockwise among the players on the table.

Gin Rummy: While playing the gin rummy variant offline, every player will pick up a card from the shuffled deck and the player who gets the card with the lowest-value will have to deal the cards first. The same process will be followed after each hand in order to determine the dealer. Unlike in the Indian rummy variant, the chance to deal doesn’t move automatically.

Objective to play

Classic Rummy: In the classic Indian rummy variant whether you are playing a free game or for cash, the key objective is to arrange your cards in valid sets and sequences and arrive at a score of zero or get as low a score as possible in the pool rummy mode.

Gin Rummy: When it comes to the gin rummy variant a player’s objective is to arrange the cards in valid sets and runs/sequences until a player knocks or lays down their hand after forming necessary sets and runs.

How are the cards played?

Classic Rummy: According to the classic Indian rummy rules every player has to draw a card from the closed deck or the open deck/discard pile on their turn. After they have picked a card, the player has to discard a card to the discard pile as well. If a player, however, opts to draw the top card from the discarded pile, the rules prohibit them from discarding the same card to the discarded pile in the same turn.

Gin Rummy: In the gin rummy variant, the player who isn’t dealing has the option to pick the topmost card from the open deck. If this player doesn’t opt to pick that card, the dealer gets this opportunity. In case even the dealer doesn’t want to choose that card either, the non-dealing player may pick a card from the closed deck.

Calculating the scores

Classic Rummy: In classic rummy the face cards carry 10 points each and the numbered cards are worth their face value. At the time of the declaration the combined value of the unmatched cards in every rummy player’s hand is added and it is the total rummy points by which a player/players loses the game.

Gin Rummy: When it comes to gin rummy the players have the two options of declaring their hand. They can either declare the hand after arranging all the cards in sets and runs with no deadwood. It’s called going gin, for which the player scores 25 points.

The second option is by way of knocking. If the sum of a player’s deadwood cards is less than 10, then the player may opt for knocking. The knocker’s score is equal to the difference between the values of the knocker’s deadwood cards and the deadwood cards of the opponent.

The Joker Card

Classic Rummy: The Joker card plays a huge role in the classic rummy. After the shuffling process is over, a wild Joker card is also selected randomly. All the cards that have the same face value as the randomly selected wild Joker card but different suits become wild Jokers.

Gin Rummy: There are no joker cards used in the gin rummy variant.

Value of Aces

Classic Rummy: The use of an Ace card can be the lowest as well as the highest in the Indian rummy. An Ace card can be used to form a sequence with the 2 and 3 of the same suit or it can be used with the Queen and the King card of the same suit as well.

Gin Rummy: In the gin rummy variant Ace cards possess the lowest value.

The Indian rummy game which is a traditional card game over the years has become even more popular with the introduction of the internet and smartphones. Now there are many online gaming platforms where this game can be enjoyed by passionate rummy players anytime and anywhere. Technology isn’t the only reason why Indian rummy games are so loved in the country, it is also the rummy variants which players have the option of playing.

When the rummy game was only played offline with physical cards players were able to enjoy just one or two variants of the game. With the smartphone and gaming studios coming in online rummy players can play multiple Indian rummy variations. These variations and formats are not only for 13 card rummy games but for 21 cards format as well. With so many options and features in a single gaming app it is this platform that the players have loved in the past few years now. Some of the popular Indian rummy variants every player must try once are given below:

13 Card Rummy Variants

Points Rummy: It is the easiest as well as the fastest variation of Indian rummy. As the name suggests it is played for points where the monetary value of those has been pre-decided. A maximum of six players can join the rummy table at once and compete for points. The player who is the first to complete the meld and makes a valid declaration is the winner. It is the winner who takes the points of the losing contestants. In most Points rummy games, the entry value to play the contest is as low as Rs 1. It is done to make the contest accessible and affordable for new and as well as experienced rummy players. Since this is the quickest of all the rummy variants it entices people to play more games even when they are running short of time.

Pool Rummy: This is another popular Indian rummy variant. It is contested for a fixed number of points, say 101 or 201. The players entering the game are required to pay a fixed buy-in value and compete for the pre-decided points. The contestants who cross the points are eliminated from the game and the player who stays in the game is declared the winner takes away the prize money. This variant needs the player to play tactically and eliminate the opponent from the game as quickly as they can. This variant can become tiring since there are no limits in the number of deals a player can play. A player is required to play Deals Rummy games until all the opponents are eliminated.

Deals Rummy: This Indian rummy variant lasts the longest. It is usually played for 2, 3, 4 and 6 deals and can be played with up to 6 players. The winner in each deal takes the chips from the losing opponents. The game concludes once all the deals are played and the player with maximum chips is declared a winner. The most amazing aspect of this variant is that a player can make a comeback in the subsequent deals even when they lose some deals. This makes the deals rummy variant the most exciting one where every player’s skills are thoroughly tested and no one can lower their guard even when they are ahead in the game.

21 Card Rummy Variants

21 card rummy variant is a little different from 13 card rummy variants because here every player gets 21 cards. The rules for 21 card rummy are little bit complex and the games tend to run longer. To win, the participant must arrange his/her cards into:

– 3 pure sequences (3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit without a Joker) and the rest of the cards into any combination of sets and sequences

– 8 Jokers in a group

– 8 Dublees (a Dublee is a pair of 2 cards of the same rank and suit or two Jokers) in 8 different groups

– 3 Tunnelas (a Tunnela is 3 cards of the same rank and suit) in 3 different groups

Apart from the printed jokers and cut jokers, in 21 cards rummy, there will also be upper and lower jokers. For example, if 7 of Diamonds is the cut joker and if the player also has 6 of Spades and 8 of Spades, then those 2 will be your lower and upper jokers. This combination known as a marriage, wins you 100 points.

Now that you know all about the popular Indian rummy variants, download the best rummy app and play a hand to test your skill in any of those. We are sure you are going to love it.