Rummy has been designated a game
of skill or mere skill. Indian Rummy is a popular 13 card
game. The basic objective of these games is to improve one's Hand, that
is, whatever cards one has, by drawing and discarding cards and forming sets.
Certain rules have to be followed while making these sets.
A Deck of cards consists of 52
cards of 4 Suits with 13 cards each and a joker - A joker can be used in place of any card to form runs or sets.
One card from the rest of the
deck (remainder after dealing the cards to the players) is randomly selected
and becomes a Joker for that particular game. All cards of the exact rank in
any suit similar to the card are considered as that. If during the deal a
player receives the Printed Joker, an Ace is also considered to be a joker in
that game. A Joker is allowed to be used in place of any cards when forming a
set. However, the player has to ensure that they have a sequence without a Joker
card to be eligible to use the one as stated above.
Joker is the key card for the player, more the jokers in their hand; more is the
possibility of winning the game. Jokers
are important in the game of rummy and
players need to focus on making the best use of that in their game. They must
use the joker card to complete a run or set of higher point’s value.
The beginning of a game of Rummy
may seem slow, but as the table builds up, more and more handlings are
possible. In the early stages of the game it may be a good idea to hold back some
cards, so that other players also open their game and provide more
opportunities for manipulation.
Keeping a joker on one’s hand may
also be a good strategy – although one risks being caught with a joker on the hand
when another player places a show. They can be substituted for any card in a
set, irrespective of the card’s value or suit, and they always score the value
of the card they represent.
A joker can be retrieved from a set played on
the table, by any player who can replace the joker on his turn with a card of
the exact same value and suit it represents. In the case of a group of three
cards, the joker can be replaced by a card of either of the missing suits (with
the correct value).
A joker that has been replaced
must be used on the player’s same turn, as part of a new set, along with a card
or cards from player’s hand.
Jokers are needed in a deck of cards;
it builds the enthusiasm of players and supports them throughout the play.