How to Play Gin Rummy

If you still do not know how to play Gin Rummy, it is time to learn this interesting and challenging game. Gin Rummy is similar to regular Rummy. The difference is in how a player goes out, and that a player does not put down combinations mid-hand.

Here is a quick guide on how to play Gin Rummy:

For a standard Gin Rummy game, the following are needed - two players, a standard deck of 52 cards, paper and pen for scoring.

The game starts with both players getting ten cards each. The unused cards are then turned into the stock by putting them in the center of the table and turning over the first card. The non-dealer gets to be offered the upcard first. If he does not take the upcard, the dealer may get it, and then the play continues.

The first upcard is considered a free card. A player must be prepared to take it even if it has no relevance to his hand because if he does not take advantage of the first upcard his opponent gets the next option to get it. Also, taking the card may mislead his opponent about the combinations in his hand so it is better if the discard is not put down right away.

The most difficult and rewarding way to go out and win the game is for a player to put all his cards into melds, which is also known as going Gin. But before he goes Gin, he needs to pick up a card first either from the stock or the discard pile. He scores 25 points when he goes Gin, plus the sum of his opponent's deadwood which refers to the cards that his opponent fails to form into complete combinations.

Here is an example on how to tally the winner's score: If the losing opponent has two 4s and two 5s, the sum of his deadwood adds up to 18 points. This is added to the 25 points the winning player gets for going Gin, for a total of 43 points.

Players can play to 100 or 250 points, depending on how long they want the contest to last.