Know All About Rummy Points And Scoring
Rummy is one of the most popular card games and involves two decks with two Jokers. The aim is to form valid declarations by picking or discarding cards from the two available piles. The arrangement of individual 13 cards determines the rummy points. A player must form at least two orders, one of pure sequence and the remaining can be any valid sequences or sets.
Rummy Points System And Scoring
Rummy points and scoring determines the winning in the game. The game involves two to six players at a time where individuals get 13 cards, respectively. A challenger who assembles all 13 cards in required combinations and makes a valid declaration featuring different combinations (rummy sequences and sets) before others will win the game and earn zero points.
In this exclusive card game, it is possible to gain points which are not good for the one who wishes to be the winner. The successful individuals proceeding towards the win get zero points. You can understand this more easily by understanding that the losing player gets a penalty for not creating a valid combination, whereas the winner touches the zero point. The scoring system of rummy revolves around the following points:
- The challenger who completes the rummy by forming the required combination wins.
- The one who finishes the game without meeting the criteria or failed to declare ‘rummy’ even after creating the required sequences and sets, loses the game.
- The winner of the game gets zero rummy points after completion.
- The player who loses the game gets rummy points according to the cards remaining uncombined in their hand.
The calculation of the rummy points for the losing challengers:
- If a player has formed no mandatory sequences but has a set, the value of all cards in the hands of the player is evaluated & summed and gets a penalty accordingly.
- If a player created the required pure sequence but failed to form a set, the value of the remaining cards is checked and added to charge a penalty.
- If a player fails to form required combinations, then all the cards will be evaluated, added, and a penalty will be charged.
If you wish to know all about rummy points and the scoring system, continue reading to learn all the details about scoring and winning the game.
Combinations Required in Rummy
Before proceeding further with the details of rummy points, it is essential to understand the combinations of rummy. Ideally, there are two types of combinations in rummy, sequences and sets.
A winner must form at least two sequences and a set to complete the objective. These sequences and sets can be pure or impure. Kindly note that creating a pure sequence is mandatory while playing rummy, as there is no valid rummy declaration without it.
Pure Sequence: A group of three or more cards that belong to the same suit. Maintain the consecutive order of the combined cards to form a pure sequence. You can not use a Joker or wild card to create a pure sequence, such as 4♥ 5♥ 6♥ or 5♠ 6♠ 7♠ 8♠.
Impure Sequence: When a joker card is used to form a group of three or more cards of the same suit. For example - 5♦ 6♦ Q♠ 8♦ (Here Q♠ is used as a wild Joker) or 5♠ 6♠ 7♠ 8♠ PJ.
Set: A combination of three or more cards with the same value but belonging to different suits. You can bring the use of wild cards and Jokers to create sets. For example - A♥ A♣ A♦ or 9♦ Q♠ 9♠ 9♥. Here Q♠ is a wild card.
5♦ 5♣ 5♠ PJ is an example of the rummy set in which a printed joker card is used to replace the missing 5♥.
Rummy Points Calculation For Each Card
In rummy, the values of cards vary from each other, that is, each card possesses a rank. The following is the ranking chronology of rummy, starting from the lowest and proceeding toward the highest - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, -A (all cards from 10 to A, i.e., 10, J, Q, K, and A carry equal value which is 10 points).
In this, one important point to be considered is that the ace (A) card can be combined with 1 and 2 to create (A-2-3), and similarly also with Q and K to form (Q-K-A).
The following are the cards are their respective values:
- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 - The value represented on their face, that is, all the 2s will fetch 2 points.
- J, Q, K, A - Each card carries 10 points.
- Jokers - 0 point
1. Value of Jokers in Rummy
The role of Jokers in rummy points calculation is unmatchable as, at times, it can be a game changer. It can replace the missing card, forming an impure sequence or set. These joker cards fetch zero points and help create combinations faster and reduce the score.
For more practical understanding, imagine you have two consecutive cards, like 7♥ and 8♥, in hand. Here you can use a Joker card to replace the missing 9♥.
However, there are two types of Joker cards in the rummy game — printed joker (using the card with a joker imprinted on it) & wild joker (utilizing the missing number of different suits).
- An example of an impure sequence with a printed joker - 7♥ 8♥ PJ.
- An example of an impure sequence with a wild joker: 7♥ 8♥ 9♣ (Here, 9♣ is a wild joker)
2. Value of Sequences in Rummy
In a rummy game, the sequence comprises a group of three or more consecutive cards that belong to the same suit. These are of two varieties — pure sequence and impure sequence.
Rummy Points for a Pure Sequence - A♠ 2♠ 3♠ is a pure sequence as it features three consecutive cards of the same suit. Such combinations are worth zero points in rummy.
Rummy Points for an Impure Sequence - J♦ Q♦ PJ (Printed Joker) is an impure sequence where two consecutive cards of the same suit are assembled with a printed joker to form a combination. An impure sequence also fetches zero points but only after a pure sequence is formed.
3. Value of Sets in Rummy
A set in rummy features three or four cards of the same rank but different suits, like 3♥ 3♦ 3♣ 3♠. You can also create sets by using printed and wild jokers. For example - 6♦ 6♣ PJ. Here a printed joker is used to replace the missing 6-number card.
Player-wise Calculation of Rummy Points
Suppose there are two players in a rummy game. Player 1 makes the following declarations, comprising two pure sequences (3♣ 4♣ 5♣ and J♥ Q♥ K♥ A♥) and two sets (9♦ 9♠ 9♥ and 5♦ 5♣ PJ). This player gets zero points.
On the other hand, player 2 created one pure sequence (6♣ 7♣ 8♣), one impure sequence (5♥ 5♦ 10♠ WJ), and a set (4♠ 4♥ PJ). So the value of these combinations is zero, but three cards remain ungrouped. In such a case, the rummy scoring will depend on the value of these three cards. Such circumstances will cost a penalty on player 2, making the opponent wins.
Essential Rules Regarding Rummy Points
- A player who creates an invalid declaration will lose the game, and a penalty will be charged.
- If a player has created two sequences, including a pure sequence the calculation will be based on the remaining cards.
- The maximum penalty is 80 points.
- Players can anytime opt to quit to avoid losing by utilising the Drop button.
- A player who drops without discarding any card is the first drop. As per the rummy points, the player will get 20 points.
- A penalty of 40 points is on the player who plans to drop after one or more turns.
- A player who misses three consecutive chances will be dropped out of the game and gets a penalty of 40 points.
Understanding rummy points enable you to play the game in the best manner, with fewer chances of causing penalties. Download the Rummy Bo to have the best experiences of online rummy gaming.