Deals Rummy
Deals rummy is a 13-card rummy variant with some similarities to points rummy. The players in this variant play a predetermined number of deals, after which the player with the most points is declared the winner. In many ways, this game rewards those who can consistently win one deals after another, as opposed to a variant like points rummy, where only one deals determines the winner.
Let’s take a closer look at the rules of deals rummy.
Before the game
Before the game begins, the number of deals to be played is determined.
Two or more standard decks of 52 playing cards (with Joker cards) are typically used.
The decks are thoroughly shuffled before the game begins.
The Objective of Deals Rummy
The goal of the deals rummy game is to earn more points at the end of the predetermined number of deals.
Rules of Deals Rummy
The game can be played with 2 to 6 players.
Each player must bring a minimum amount of money to the game, and points are distributed equally to all players as follows:
In 2-player games, each player receives 160 points (2 x 80)
In 6-player games, each player receives 480 points (6 x 80)
Every player is dealt 13 cards, and the undealt cards are placed on the table in a closed deck (face down), while one card is drawn at random and placed on the table to create an open deck (face up).
Every player attempts to arrange his cards in melds (sequences or sets).
With each turn, the players must choose a card from either the open or closed deck and discard one card from their hand to the open deck.
The first player to complete two melds (2 pure sequences, 1 pure sequence and 1 impure sequence, calls for a show (typically by saying ‘declare’) and has his cards validated.
The other players are assigned points based on the cards in their hands (conventionally capped at 80 points).
Each card is worth the following points:
10 points for an ace.
Joker – 0 points.
King, Queen, and Jack – 10 points each.
Numerical cards have the same number of points as face value.
The winner receives points equal to the value of their points from the other players.
The game continues until a predetermined number of deals are completed, at which point the player with more points is declared the winner.
Drop Option
Dropping is not an option in 2-player deals rummy. However, three consecutive misses by the same player result in an 80-point penalty, and the player is automatically removed from the game. If there are more than two players, dropping on the first turn results in a 20-point penalty. Dropping on any subsequent turn results in a 40-point penalty. Three consecutive misses by the same player result in an 80-point penalty, and the player is automatically removed from the game.
Best of 2 Deals Rummy
In this variant, the winner is determined after two deals are completed.
Best of 6 Deals Rummy
In this variant, the winner is determined after six deals are completed.