Gin Rummy

How to play Gin Rummy

Gin Rummy is the classic two-player card game. You play against the computer, aiming to arrange your ten cards into melds before it does.

1. The deal. Each player gets 10 cards. One card starts the discard pile.
2. Draw. On your turn, take the top card of the deck or the top card of the discard pile.
3. Discard. Then throw one card face up onto the discard pile. You can’t throw back a card you just picked up from it.
4. Melds. A set is three or four cards of the same rank. A run is three or more cards in a row of the same suit (Ace is low). The game arranges your melds for you.
5. Deadwood is every card not in a meld. Aces count 1, number cards their value, and face cards 10.
6. Knock when your deadwood is 10 or less: discard and end the hand. Your opponent shows their hand and can lay off deadwood on your melds.
7. Gin is knocking with no deadwood at all. No laying off is allowed.

Scoring

If you knock and have less deadwood, you score the difference. If your opponent has the same or less, that’s an undercut: they score the difference plus 25. Going gin scores 25 plus your opponent’s deadwood. If the deck runs down to two cards, the hand is a draw. First to 100 points wins.

Quick tips for winning

• Throw high cards early. Kings and Queens cost 10 if you’re caught with them.
• Watch the discards. If the computer picks up a 7, don’t feed it more 7s or cards next to it.
• Knock early if you can. Waiting for gin gives your opponent time.
• Keep flexible cards. A 6 of hearts with a 6 of clubs and 7 of hearts can become a set or a run.

Gin Rummy FAQ