Variations of Rummy Games

Rummy is a game of skill and is played popularly in Asian as well as North American and European countries alike. The rummy games are known to be played with 10 cards, 13 cards or even with 21 cards with different rules with respect to the location you are playing and that’s how multiple rummy variations took birth.

For instance, in order to play 13 cards rummy or Indian rummy, you will be dealt with 13 cards from which you have to make melds as soon as possible to gain a win. But, the number of cards as well as the rules to play the rummy games might differ if you are enjoying this game of skill in another country. This has made the game to expand his popularity as well as to bring some more new rummy variations to the map.

Rummy Variations – Dummy, Contract & Shanghai

Some of the popular rummy variations that are fun to play as well as a good source to earn some real cash are Dummy Rummy, Contract Rummy and Shanghai Rummy. Although, you can get as much information on these rummy variations just by searching “rummy wiki” it is recommended to know the rules of rummy games before you start playing. In this article, we will be explaining on rules to play as well as how to play these rummy variations so that you can join any good online rummy website and start earning real cash right from the time you start playing.

Dummy Rummy Rules and Gameplay

There is very less information on this variant of the game even if you search “Dummy Rummy Wiki”. Dummy Rummy is played with 2 to 4 players with two standard decks including 4 joker cards (108 cards). The game starts when 13 cards are dealt to each player and player sitting on the left side of the dealer starts the game. The objective of the game is to have 0 points in hand which can be attained only by making sets and sequences. The cards numbered “2” in all suits are counted as wildcard along with printed jokers which can be used to complete your incomplete melds.

12 hands are played in Dummy Rummy each with one pre-determined set/sequence which should be completed in an order as mentioned below:

1. 2 Sets of Three of a Kind
2. 1 Set of Three of a Kind and 1 Sequence of four cards
3. 2 Sets of four cards
4. 2 Sequences of four cards
5. 1 Set of Four of a Kind and 1 Sequence of four cards
6. 2 Sets of Three of a Kind and 1 Sequence of four cards
7. 1 Set of Three of a Kind and 1 Sequence of seven cards
8. 3 Sets of Three of a Kind
9. 2 Sets of Five of a Kind
10. 2 Sequences of five cards
11. 1 Set of Eight of a Kind
12. 1 Sequence of ten cards

You can use any number of Joker cards or wild cards in Dummy Rummy to complete these hands. If any of your wild card or joker card is not used, there will be a penalty of 50 points. The player who completes all the 12 hands successfully will have 0 points in his hands and will be declared a winner. If anyone fails to complete a hand, he will have to retry the hand again on the next hand.

How to Play Contract Rummy?

Contract Rummy is a popular rummy variation played with multiple decks of 54 standard playing cards which depends on the number of players. Contract Rummy has 7 rounds of game each played with different rules. In the first 4 rounds of the game, each player is dealt with 10 cards and in the last 3 rounds, 12 cards are dealt. The rest of the cards are placed face down and this set of cards are called Stock. Then the discard pile is created by placing a card from the top of the Stock facing upwards.

The game runs in a clockwise direction and each player has to complete his melds according to the round is playing. Each hand of the Contract Rummy variation requires a player to complete a contract which is predefined. The requirements for the 7 hands are as mentioned below:

1. 2 Sets
2. 1 Set and 1 Sequence
3. 2 Sequences
4. 3 Sets
5. 2 Sets and 1 Sequence
6. 1 Set and 2 Sequences
7. 3 Sequences

In Contract Rummy, the Joker cards hold the highest point value of 25 followed by Aces with 15 points. The face cards J, Q and K of all suits carry 10 points and pip cards (2-10) carry the printed points. The game continues until one of the players “goes out” by completing the required melds for that hand. When all the 7 hands are played, the player with lowest point is declared a winner.

Shanghai Rummy Rules & Gameplay

Shanghai Rummy is a variant of Contract Rummy with almost similar rules and game play of that of Gin Rummy variations. Shanghai Rummy, just like Contract Rummy, is played with multiple decks of standard playing cards including the Joker cards. Ace cards are always set high and Jokers and 2’s are taken as wild cards.

In Shanghai Rummy, a player is dealt with 11 cards and he has to play 10 hands each with a specific contract. This variation of rummy brings the term “Buy” which allows a player to take a card from the Stock. As 10 contracts are played in this variation of rummy, there is a limit in Buying too. A player can have 3 Buys per hand from contracts 1 to 8 and 4 Buys from contracts 9 to 10.

The use of Jokers or Wildcards is also limited in Shanghai Rummy. A player can only have 1 joker if he is making a set of 3 cards or a sequence of 4 cards. Similarly, a maximum of 4 jokers are allowed if a player is making a sequence of 10 cards.

A player can be a winner only if he completes the 10 Contracts with minimum points. The contracts are as mentioned below:

1. 2 Sets of 3
2. 1 Set of 3 and 1 Sequence of 4
3. 2 Sequences of 4
4. 3 Sets of 3
5. 1 Set of 3 and 1 Sequence of 7
6. 2 Sets of 3 and 1 Sequence of 5
7. 3 Sequences of 4
8. 1 Set of 3 and 1 Sequence of 10
9. 3 Sets of 3 and 1 Sequence of 5
10. 3 Sequences of 5

In Shanghai Rummy, the Black 2 Wild Cards holds the highest points of 50 Points followed by Joker cards with 25 Points. Ace cards holds 15 Points, face cards J, Q and K of all suits carry 10 Points and pip cards (2-10) carry 5 Points. The game continues until one of the players “goes out” by completing the required melds for that hand. When all the 10 contracts of Shanghai Rummy variation are played, the player with lowest point is declared a winner.