How to Play Rummy: 13 Card Rummy Rules for Beginners (Step by Step)

If you want to learn rummy, this guide is for you. Here we explain the basic rules of Indian Rummy (13 cards) in simple language.

Cards and decks in rummy

Indian Rummy is usually played with two standard 52-card decks plus printed jokers. Every player is dealt 13 cards, and one card is opened to decide the wild joker.

The goal of the game

Arrange your 13 cards into valid sets and sequences and be the first to declare.

• Sequence: three or more consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 5♥ 6♥ 7♥.
• Set: three or four cards of the same rank in different suits, such as 9♠ 9♥ 9♦.

To declare you need at least two sequences, and one of them must be a pure sequence.

How a turn works

1. Pick up one card from the closed deck or the open pile.
2. Discard one card from your hand.
3. Keep regrouping your cards as your hand improves.

How to declare

When all 13 cards form valid groups, place one card in the finish slot and declare. An invalid declaration usually costs the maximum penalty points, so check your groups once before you declare.

Common beginner mistakes

• Working on sets before making a pure sequence.
• Holding high cards (K, Q, J) for too long.
• Ignoring the cards your opponents pick up and discard.

Now you are ready to play. Start at a small table, and always read the in-app rules because some details differ between platforms.