Gin Rummy is similar to traditional Rummy, but it is a quick-fire game as there is no melding or laying off until the end of the game. The Gin Rummy game is traditionally a game for two players, although there are versions for more than two players. It is played with a standard pack of 52 cards (no jokers). Both players are initially dealt 10 cards and the remaining cards are placed face down, forming the stock pile. The dealer then removes the top card from the stock pile and places it face up next to the stock, forming the discard pile, this is the upcard.
Play begins by the non-dealer taking the upcard if they would like it. If they do not want it, they forgo the opportunity to have the first go and that chance is then with the dealer. If the dealer wishes to take the upcard they may. However, if neither player wants the upcard then the non-dealing player begins the game by drawing the top card from the stock pile.
A player’s turn in Gin Rummy involves no melding or laying off. Therefore, a turn simply consists of drawing one card (from the discard or stock pile) and then discarding one card face up on the discard pile. Instead of laying down melds on the table it is down to the player to secretly arrange their hand into melds.
A player’s hand consists of melds and deadwood. Melds are cards that form a set or run. A set being three or more cards of the same rank, for example three Queens. A run being three or more cards of the same suit in sequence, for example the 8, 9 and 10 of Spades. Any cards that a player holds that they cannot fit into their melds are called deadwood. A player may end the hand when the cumulative score of their deadwood cards is less than 10. The score of the card is based on its rank with Aces being low (and hence worth 1 point) and all face cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) being worth 10 points. All other cards are worth the number of points equal to their rank. Therefore, if a player can meld all their cards except for a 2, 3, 4 and 5 (which are obviously of different suits) then they have a deadwood score of 14. If it is their turn and they have already drawn a card then they can discard one card (to complete their turn). They can therefore discard the 5 and be left with a deadwood score of 9. This is less than 10, hence they are able to knock if they wish.
When a player knocks their opponent then has the opportunity to meld or lay off cards in their own hand. Melding is done in the same way as the knocker, but in addition the opponent has the opportunity to add some of their cards to the knocker’s already laid melds. When laying off a player could add the fourth card of the same rank to any set, or add another card (or more) in sequence to a run (such as adding the 7 and 8 of Hearts to a run of the 4, 5 and 6 of Hearts). This gives the player who did not knock the opportunity to reduce their deadwood score. Once they have completed all the melding and laying off that is possible their deadwood score is calculated. In our example the knocker had a deadwood score of 9. If their opponent has a deadwood score more than this then the knocker is awarded the number of points equal to the difference between the two scores. So if the opponent had a deadwood score of 25, the knocker would collect, 25 – 9 = 16 points. However, if the opponent has a deadwood score of less than the knocker they would score the difference plus a bonus of 25 points for “undercutting” the knocker. For example, if the opponent had a deadwood score of just 7, they would get 9 – 7 + 25 = 27 points.
Instead of knocking with some deadwood cards remaining a player can wait until they have no deadwood and can make their entire hand into melds. This is called “Gin” and prevents the opponent from laying off any cards and means it is impossible to be undercut. In this case the player “Going Gin” scores whatever the value of their opponents deadwood is plus a 25 point bonus. Therefore, if their opponent had a deadwood score of 15 they would score, 15 + 25 = 40 points.
A game of Gin Rummy is normally played up to 100 points. Matchplay is also common. When playing a match a player gets 100 points for every game they have won (i.e. being the first to 100 points) as well a 25 point bonus for every hand won in that game. Therefore, after a game in which “Player A” reached 100 points first whilst winning 4 hands and “Player B” won 2 hands, “Player A” would receive 200 match points and “Player B” would receive 50 match points.
