• Home
• Rummy news and articles
• Rummy online at Rummy Royal

Canasta Rules

January 27, 2010

Canasta Rules Explained

Canasta is a card game, more specifically, a variation of rummy that originated in the South American country of Uruguay.
The game took roots in the United States in 1949 and became such a rage that it threatened the Number 1 position of Contract Bridge, a card game that was hugely popular in America back then. Canasta became such a sensation that card manufacturing companies began producing special edition decks and thematic souvenirs like ash trays, coffee mugs, key chains and place mats.
Due to the popularity of the game, more and more people began to play rummy and the structure and rules of Canasta also began going through changes. 
Interest in the game of Canasta gradually waned in a span of ten years and other card games like Bridge and Poker began to rule the roost.
However, Canasta still has a loyal following and fans who play online rummy have kept up the interest in the game.
Even today, many sites offer the online version of Canasta and there are thousands of players who enjoy playing this game of Rummy Online.

Here, we explain some of the rules to play the Classic Canasta Game.
The main aim of this game is to make ‘Canastas’.
Canasta is described as a meld of at least seven cards of the same rank. 
Players can “go out” by playing all the cards in hand and discarding.
The ideal number of players is four, forming two teams and playing with two standard card decks with 4 Jokers making a total of 108 cards. 
There are other variations of Canasta meant for 2 or 5 players which are equally popular. Partnerships are pre-determined or can be decided by drawing cards.
The deck is shuffled, cut and each player is dealt eleven cards, face down.
The stock is kept face down in the center of the table and the first card is turned face up.
If a Joker, Two or Three appears, this process has to be repeated till a ‘natural’ card appears.

The point value of the cards in Canasta is as follows:

Joker equals 50 points

Each Deuce or an Ace equals 20 Points

Cards from 8 to 10 as well as King, Queen and Jack equal 10 points

4, 5, 6 and 7 equals 5 points each

Each Black 3 equals 5 points and

Each Red 3 equals 100 points.

Jokers and Twos of all suits are ‘Wild’ cards whereas all the others are considered as ‘Natural’ cards.

Canasta accords a special status to the Red 3 – these are bonus cards.
If any player has been dealt the Red 3, he must place the card face down on the table and replace it with a card from the stock, before the play begins.
So also, if a player draws the Red Three from the stock or the pile, he must place it on the table. There is a penalty of 500 points if the player does not drop the Red 3 at the first opportunity. When the hand is over and the team makes no melds, the point value of the Red 3 is deducted from their score.   

In Canasta, scoring of points is possible by completing melds and accumulating bonus cards. Although the normal limit is 5000 points, players could mutually agree to change it.
When you play traditional rummy or rummy online, the melds can be formed with three or more cards of the same rank or you can form sequences.
However, in case of Canasta, sequences are not considered in the game.
A meld in Canasta should have at least seven cards of the same rank.
Another important point to note is that there should be no more than three wild cards and there must be at least a couple of natural cards to form a meld in Canasta.
A natural canasta has all natural cards while a mixed canasta contains both, wild and natural cards. Black 3’s can be melded only when the player goes out of the hand.
Most importantly, to have your meld considered in the game, you have to expose them on the table.

If the player has failed to make a meld during a hand, he must meet additional point score requirement as detailed below, in order to make the first meld.
The total point values of the cards played by him during his turn must satisfy or exceed the initial meld requirement as per the total score of the team.

Player score	Initial meld
Between 0 and 1495	50
Between 1500 and 2995	90
Over 3000	120

 

The players play as a team and all the melds as well as the Red 3s are placed before one member of the team.
After making the melds, the player will discard a single card on to the pile.
He could drop a card on his partner’s meld, if the meld is on the table.
The team should have at least one Canasta to go out.
A natural Canasta will earn 500 bonus points while the mixed Canastas will earn 300 points. Illegally melded Canastas (i.e. those having the wrong number of wild or natural cards) will attract a penalty of 100 points.
The team is not allowed to pick up the discard pile unless they complete the first meld.

In Canasta, the top card of the discard pile can be used by the player to make the first meld.
If however the discard pile has a black 3 or wild top card, it is deemed to be ‘frozen’ and it remains frozen until it is taken by a player having a natural matching pair.

The Canasta hand will end when the player ‘goes out.’
This means that the player has discarded the last card either by melding it or dropping it on to the discard pile.
Bonuses are earned for going out.
Each Red 3 will yield 100 points, going out is 100 points, a natural canasta and mixed canasta will earn 500 and 300 points respectively.
Points remaining in the partners hand are deducted from the points earned for melds and bonus cards. Sometimes, the team could also have a negative score.

Canasta is a complex game that requires you to adopt numerous strategies to create as many melds as possible.
To become an expert at Canasta, you can play on this site or on sites which offer the option of free online Canasta.
Reading up some of the books on the game will also help you understand the game better.

Did you know that you can now play rummy online?
At Rummyroyal.com you can play for fun or for real money against other players on the Rummy Royal site.
At the moment they offer $5 free for new players who open a rummy account.
If you want to try online rummy and get the $5 free then Click Here to Join

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Seasonal Rummy

January 16, 2010

Seasonal Rummy – you gotta be kidding me!

When someone mentions card games, the first thing that comes to my mind is Rummy!
The funny part is that although I’m not a big fan of rummy, I’m a fairly good player, so I can never resist playing any of the Rummy online variations.
Several rummy variations have shown up in the recent years and I’ve had the opportunity to check out most of them.
Last week my friend Allan purchased a new variant called “Seasons – The Calendar Rummy Game”.
He invited and a couple of friends over to try out this new variant.
What is unique about this particular game is that each player has his own specific deck.
There are other changes to the basic game of rummy, the main one being the addition of a calendar theme.

After trying out the Calendar Rummy Game, I feel I’d prefer any of the simpler versions of rummy that are available online – say Mystery Rummy #4 or the all time favorite Gin Rummy Online.
Although we read and discussed the rules of game, frankly, I found Season rummy too complex. The game overwhelms me completely and every now and then I have to refer to the rules to get a grip on the game.
Ordinarily, people who opt to play rummy want to enjoy a quick game.
With Calendar Rummy, there is a distinct disadvantage on this front as the game takes more than two hours to finish.
Obviously, people who are accustomed to playing rummy online expect a quick result and may not find this rummy variant interesting.

Calendar Rummy also has a complicated scoring card for each player.
I found the scoring process to be long and unmanageable, perhaps because these have to be maintained manually.
Playing rummy online has a distinct advantage – the computer keeps the score for you, reducing the monotony of the game.
A quick card game is a plus if you have nothing to do on a long train journey.
Calendar Rummy would certainly not be your choice to pass the time in such a situation –you’d more likely go for the traditional game of rummy, with a pack of cards.
And, if you have the luxury of a laptop with net connectivity, there are so many rummy online games to choose from like Rummyroyal.com

The only bright side of it I think was the bright and colorful artwork of the Seasons: Calendar Rummy Game.
For rummy fanatics who are looking for something unique, or for collectors, this variant of the game delivers.
In fact, if you stretch things a bit, this game might actually pack a lot of fun; only, you need to get the hang of the game to truly enjoy it.
With rummy online, simplicity is the name of the game!
The graphics are great, they hold your interest and of course, you can enjoy the thrill of the game right from the comforts of your home. Besides, you have a lot of players on the scene.
You could make new friends, pick up a few tricks and tips from the pros or simply share your experience with other like-minded people who love rummy.

Well, as I said, rummy online is my first choice when it comes to card games played on the internet.
But if you are one of those rummy enthusiasts who prefer to try new variations of the game with a bit of challenge, try out progressive rummy.
It is a challenging game, with many twists and turns, guaranteed to exercise your skills at playing rummy.
Progressive rummy is classified under ‘Contract Rummy’ games where you have a specific number of deals comprising a game. Each of these deals (known as contracts) must be met to lay down any cards. 

Progressive rummy can be played among a maximum of eight players.
If you are a group of three or four people, you will need 2 decks of cards with three jokers.
3 decks with 2 jokers totaling to 158 cards are required for 5-6 players.
The ideal number of players would be four, whether you are playing progressive rummy online or with a pack of cards.
To begin play the dealer deals 6 cards to each person in the first deal for which you need to make two sets.
7 cards are dealt to each in the second deal for which the players need to make one set and one sequence.
8 cards are dealt in the third deal where two sequences need to be made.
The deals progress in this manner and for deal no.7, players get 12 cards each.
This is the last hand, where three sequences must be made.

Just like any other game of rummy, you draw a card from either the stock or the discard pile. You need to meld or lay the cards when it’s your turn.
To win, you must be the first person to meld or lay out your cards or discard all your cards.
After the last hand, the score is calculated and the player with the lowest score wins the game. Like all other variants of rummy, you can also play progressive rummy online at some of the gaming sites.

Other card games like Poker have become synonymous with Hollywood stars enjoying these games on and off-screen.
With Poker, the glamour quotient has reached a high.
However, games like rummy have also had their share of celebrity status.
Although they may not be creating headlines like Poker, they are quite popular and proven to be addictive among the fans of the game –and these run into thousands. 
With most of the popular versions like Gin Rummy and Rummy 500 going online, rummy fanatics have never had it better.
Not only the old-timers, but the newer generation of card players (like me) has been attracted to Rummy online.
So, now you know why I’ going Rummy online!
Check out the site Rummyroyal.com and I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it is the best venue to enjoy the thrills of rummy online.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Tracing the Origins of Rummy Online

January 15, 2010

Rummy is considered to be the third most popular game in the world. 
Perhaps, this popularity stems from the fact that rummy has been a family game since time immemorial, an activity you could believe to be as old as the hills!
Such is the popularity of the game that even your teens today would jump at the prospect of challenging their minds and competitive skills with a Rummy500 tournament!
Of course, today’s kids would find the prospect of playing rummy online at sites like rummyroyal.com more appealing rather than sitting around a table and playing a quaint card game the traditional way.
Besides, you can play rummy online with like minded players and at a very furious pace rather than having to depend on players sitting around a table who might take frequent breaks and crack jokes that don’t make sense to you.

Numerous theories have been floated about the origins of rummy and its variations; all of them may have some element of truth in them.
Different cultures and nations have been credited with the invention of this game.  The modern day version of rummy online games may have evolved by the amalgamation of the games played by these different cultures.
I say this because the characteristic pattern of the draw and discard game has endured the test of time.
The main aim of rummy still remains the same – getting rid of the cards in your hand before your opponent does so, by creating runs or sets of your cards. 

The Oriental Connection

One theory propounds that the Chinese game of Mahjong was one of the earliest card games to integrate the draw and discard playing pattern.
Other games like ‘Kon Khin’ and ‘Khanhoo’ dating back to the 18^th century have similarities with rummy and poker.
These games spread swiftly around the world along with the Chinese immigrants and were also popularized by the British and Portuguese traders who got familiar with the games on their visits to China.

The Spanish Lineage of Rummy Online

Many believe rummy to have originated from the Spanish game ‘Conquian’ that the Spaniards enjoyed centuries ago, which was later brought to Mexico.
Yet others believed that it was the other way round – the game in fact originated in Mexico and was later passed on to the rest of the world. 
In the latter part of the 18^th century, it is believed that Conquian traveled to America, beginning with Texas.
In America however, the game was known as ‘Coon Can’, ‘Coon-King’ or ‘Conkin’.

The term ‘Rummy’ has an interesting history.
As Conquian spread to England, it was tagged ‘Rum’, referring to anything odd, queer or strange.
The English name was brought to the US by people who traveled between England and America, which was then accepted all through the world as Rummy.

Another theory suggests that Coon Can originated in the US and was later brought to Mexico and called Conquian, a Spanish word that sounded like the American name.

Rummy Online Has its Roots in Poker

Some presume Rummy has its roots in the game of Poker.
This inference may have been drawn since both the games have similarities in the playing structure.
It was believed to have been started by French settlers in the American continent. Three-of-a-kind in Poker is greatly similar to the Rummy set while the straight in Poker is much the same as a run in Rummy.
The game of Whiskey Poker went through a name change when people began calling it ‘Rum Poker’ and ‘Rum’ which later evolved into ‘Rummy’, as it is known today.

 

The Origins of Gin Rummy Online

Among the numerous variations of rummy online games, Gin Rummy is probably the most popular.
Gin rummy is said to have originated from the older version known as Knock Rummy.
Elwood T. Baker in1909 created this variation of rummy and named it after the alcoholic drink ‘Gin’ on his son’s suggestion.
Gin Rummy was greatly accepted and played till 1930 after which it almost disappeared from the gaming scenes till 1941.
Hollywood film stars were crucial in reviving the game in the forties as they enjoyed this game on the sets, between filming.

The great depression was also another reason for the popularity of Gin rummy. Lacking financial resources for entertainment during that period, people preferred to enjoy the affordable game of Gin Rummy with friends and family.
Ever since, the popularity of Gin rummy has never looked back.
Today, you find thousands people playing Gin Rummy online, having a great time and making some serious money as well.

The history of Gin Rummy would be incomplete without mentioning the legend of the game.
Stuart Errol Ungar or ‘Stu Ungar’, as he was popularly known, was one of the best gin rummy players in the world.
Having an excellent memory and the IQ of a genius, Stu Ungar won his first gin rummy tournament at the young age of 10.
During his professional rummy playing days, he beat some of the best players of his time.
He was so successful that no other player wanted to compete against him, which ultimately made him turn to playing Poker, with equal success.

Unfortunately, tracing the history of rummy online is not so easy, since all the theories propounded appear to be feasible.
Many books supporting one theory or the other have been published over the years.
It could be presumed that Rummy has advanced due to its popularity and has journeyed across geographical barriers, in a relay fashion, gathering numerous variations of the game along the way.
But the fact remains that rummy is here to stay.

Today, numerous variations of rummy are being played online and the game’s fan following is increasing by the day.
Adults, who played traditional rummy as kids, are opting to play rummy online. Teenagers are hooked to the game as the present net savvy generation is looking for the thrills and excitement that Rummy and its variants have to offer.
Rummy will always have a special place in the gaming world as it’s a simple game that offers the thrill and excitement that few other card games can match.
If you haven’t tried rummy online yet, it is high time you did so.
At Rummyroyal.com you can play agaist other players online for fun or for real money.
As a bonus to new members, you will get $5 absolutely free when you sign up.
Real money players also get up to $200 free when they make their first deposit.

Click here to get started today

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Rummy Online – Between Poker and Bingo

January 15, 2010

 

Card games like Poker and Bingo have spread due to the westernization of cultures. These popular games are great favorites with those who enjoy the thrills of gambling and also with those who wish to simply pass their time by engaging in an entertaining activity.
Rummy is another such card game that is extremely popular, more so because each culture has its own variation of the game, and it can now also be played online for fun or for real money at sites like Rummyroyal.com 
Unlike Poker or even Bingo for that matter, Rummy did not require globalization because it has always been played locally, although known differently at different places.
Regional variations of rummy online have a unique and traditional flavor that is appealing to the local population.

Apart from traditional rummy online that is now available on the Internet, other variations like Mah Jong, Canasta, Gin Rummy and Kalooki Rummy are equally popular.
However, among all these variations, Gin Rummy is probably the most accepted; it is one game that is enjoyed among families as an entertainer and taken up as an activity to pass the time.
A recent survey also shows an increase in the number of kids enjoying rummy online.
The movers and shakers are addicted to the game due to the excitement it creates for the duration of play.
Since it is a hot favorite with Hollywood stars, it is no wonder that it is a hot favorite with their fans too.

Whether it is traditional rummy or rummy online, the main aim of the game is to make sets or runs with the cards in hand before your competitor achieves the goal. 
In all other rummy variations, even though there may be slight changes in the rules, they follow the same method of play.
The scoring system is roughly similar to that of Poker gambling.
If you really sit down and go through the playing conditions and rules of Bingo or Poker and compare it with Rummy online, you would find many similarities.

Some people feel that the rummy card game developed from Poker.
Poker itself is believed to have originated among the French settlers who populated the New World.
It is said that Rummy originated from the game ‘Whiskey Poker’ which later changed to ‘Rum Poker’ and later got to be known as just ‘Rum’ or ‘Rummy’.
There are marked similarities in both the games, especially in relation to the concept of formation of sequences like the ’straights’ in Poker.
Formation of sets in Rummy is quite similar to the group formation (three-of-a-kind, for instance) in Poker.

The game of Poker also has variations like Omaha, Texas Hold’em or Seven Stud.
So also with rummy online, you have Kalookie, Rummy500 or Gin Rummy that are prevalent variants. 
Rummy is one of the time-honored card games that is being played globally by people of all ages and cultures, even today.
It has become such a universal game that you could just as easily play with an American, an Italian or a Chinese as with your fellow countrymen.
This universal appeal of rummy could probably be attributed to the structure of the game which follows the draw and discard method of play.
It could also be the reason for the great popularity of rummy online.

For centuries, rummy has been played all over the world.
It has its own standing in the entertainment and gaming niche.
The trend has been taken further into the market with rummy online being popularized with the widespread reach of the Internet.
Just like Poker, Rummy does not depend on any side games; due to this feature, it has a strong business module that attracts many players.
There is stiff competition among casinos to acquire Poker or Bingo players; this acquisition comes at a high cost too.
This isn’t the case with Rummy Online as it is a different ball game altogether. Slowly, but steadily the rummy online player network is expanding to include more players who love the game.

Rummy Online is a game of skill and it is a known fact that the element of skill far outweighs the element of luck in the game.
This fact has been proven mathematically over the years.
But that is not to say luck does not play a role in the game of rummy.
Sure, it is possible for the most terrible of players to win a round of rummy through sheer luck.
Rummy online tournaments are now becoming quite popular as there are numerous legal advantages for the organizers of these tournaments as well as for the players of the game. For one, there are few legal restrictions on rummy online tournaments, making it easier to break through the market in most of the countries.
In the US, you have only state laws to contend with, no federal control.

Statistics show that rummy online player value is not far behind that of Bingo or Poker.
The daily yield per Bingo player is about $5 while the yield per Poker player on a day-to-day basis is higher at $12.
With rummy online, the yield per player is a cool $10.
The multi-player rummy online community network is just a few years old.
By now, it has thousands of players who play for cash daily.
Online Poker and Bingo have really evolved in the recent years with newer versions of gaming software being introduced in the market almost daily.
It all began by creating multi-player suites imitating the offline games to target the players of specific games.
The next step was to provide a stand-alone product or a network with the assistance of large gaming operators.

The spread of rummy online is also following a similar trend.
Rummy online has tied up with world leaders rummy royal and brings you truly world class rummy experience.
You can use real or play money on dozens of tables and varying stakes.
What’s more, the software is distinctive and resembles a great poker lobby.
So if you’re a rummy fan or fan of any card game, rummy online is definitely the place for you to start.
Happy winnings!

Play against other players online right now - Click Here to play

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Playing Rummy Online

January 14, 2010

Playing Rummy Online: What You Must Know

Playing rummy online has become extremely popular with players who have been enjoying the traditional game of rummy.
Numerous websites are adding to the thrill of the game to give rummy enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy their favorite game from the comforts of their home.
New websites offering rummy online are coming up almost daily.
Although these sites are new entrants on the online scene, they all have managed to gather a huge number of registered online rummy players.
Rummy online gaming sites like rummyroyal.com hold the interest of the players with their capability to provide a variety of rummy games with some nice twists and turns so prepare to be captivated. Check a few sites you’d probably find a preppy rummy variation that you’d enjoy more than the conventional fare.
And of course, there are plenty of sites to explore your passion for rummy online.
Since the online gaming sites attract rummy players from around the world, you have the opportunity to play with a wide variety of individuals coming from different backgrounds, bringing a different perspective into the game.
With a huge group of people playing rummy online at any given point in time, you can make new friends at the global level who share your passion for the game.
Besides, people with different levels of experience and expertise in rummy prefer to play online, so you have the prospect of playing with the pros – certainly a great way to brush up your rummy playing skills.
With so many expert players frequenting the websites, the site operators must make every effort to earn a good reputation or they simply won’t survive the stiff competition.
It helps a great deal if you play at a rummy online venue that is trusted and respected by the other players.
The quality of customer service also matters because you would need to deal with them at some point or the other.
While playing rummy online, it is important to choose a website that is extremely user friendly.
Most of the sites utilize software of the highest quality and the security protocols are of the highest standards as well.
Selecting a secure online gaming site has an added advantage; you can rest assured that your money or the information you provide on the site will not fall into the wrong hands.
Now, we come to the best part – the game of rummy itself.
With so many sites offering rummy online, you are literally spoilt for choice; there are so many interesting variations to choose from.
Canasta, Gin Rummy, Kalooki or Oklahoma Gin Rummy, all these and more can easily be played online.
Want to experience something different?
Why not try your hand at some of the continental variations of rummy online?
Another great advantage of playing rummy online is that you get to play just for fun in case you don’t fancy spending serious money.
Free games are a good way for a beginner to learn the ropes of playing rummy.
You could easily practice your game for free so that when you play rummy for real money online, you are well prepared.
Rummy online is a relatively recent development and players who wish to gain more information on the nuances of online gaming can do some reading on the subject.
Loads of articles are available on some of the sites.
They offer advice on playing rummy online, winning strategies, rules of the game, latest gaming news, etc.
Some of them even offer free tutorials for the benefit of the newbie along with tournament announcements, reviews and tips for the readers.
Here at rummy online network you can find loads of articles, but there are also many other great online rummy sites. 
Multiplayer rummy online games are a great option if you are a rummy fan; there is always someone with whom you can play at any of these online gaming venues.
There is a wide selection of games to suit any skill level from the beginners to the experts.
Budgets are not a problem either – there are many rummy online games to suit every budget.
You could even play rummy freeroll tournaments and win fabulous prizes!
Participating in Rummy tournaments held by online gaming sites is a great way to learn new strategies of playing rummy and experience a thrilling time as well.
Usually many websites have a number of rummy tournaments which players can join, making this a huge social activity.
When you play rummy online, you would be expected to download the software from the site.
The next step is to select the game you want and choose whether you want to play a free game or play for money.
Although there are step by step instructions to guide you with the whole process, you may encounter some problems.
But don’t worry; help is usually available 24×7 to sort out your problems in a jiffy.
For a quick response, you can contact the customer service through live chat, in most cases.
There is also the option to contact the staff via email.
Since rummy online attracts players from around the globe, the sites are available in a number of languages including German, French, Spanish and Turkish, apart from English.
If you are new to rummy, or you want to make the switch from the traditional method of play to the world of rummy online, the best way is to visit one of these online gaming sites.
Currently the best site for playing rummy online, is at rummyroyal.com
You can get $5 free and you will also get up to $200 free as a welcome bonus, when you make your first deposit.

Click here to play rummy online

 There is a lot of information available in the form of articles, news items, tips, strategy guides, game rules and tutorials which is useful for beginners and experienced players alike.
There are other sites that offer books on Rummy.
These books are usually authored by professional players and contain a lot of tips that would prove very useful to you.
Equipped with this knowledge, you could well be on your way to becoming a pro at playing rummy online and winning large enough sums of money to make your friends drool!
We look forward to reading about your expertise at rummy online in the years ahead and who knows?
You might end up writing a book yourself.
Best of luck!
Play Now – Click Here

Thirty Minutes or Less Rummy Online

January 12, 2010

 

How would you like to earn some serious money while on a long, boring journey somewhere?
If the answer is “yes” then get out those laptops for some rummy online.

An excellent version of the card game I have in mind for you is the ‘ first to score hundred points wins’.
The points you accumulate depend on the cards you’re left with when an opponent has knocked.

Have you ever been on a train or plane with your laptops and little else to do and you’d felt the need for a time pass activity and of course, bet and win some money? The pros are usually fond of some poker game or the other.
Other pros elsewhere are usually fond of playing “crash” (it’s the old 13-card Brag). Poker and Crash both have severely complex rules that you could easily forget, especially after enjoying some beers or seeing some pretty faces around.

Regular blokes might pick up online rummy.
So which rummy online game version would it be?
If you are playing with regular guys, then it is best to go with ‘first to knock’ online Gin Rummy.
However, for the brave hearted, there are some nice and very interesting variations…

Before we begin, let me tell you that you have to to avoid trying to predict how the rummy online would play out.
Nosterdamus might have tried to predict the future some four hundred years ago; however had the poor bloke been alive today he wouldn’t have had a whiff of a chance of helping you by predicting how the cards would be dealt out.
In rummy online you can’t really predict anything.
Besides, where’s the fun then uh?
In fact, it wouldn’t even be associated with gambling at all and would be a different ball game altogether.
So let’s get to the meat of it all – the scoring…

Points Make for Prizes in Rummy Online

The top version of this game is ‘the first to hundred points is the winner’.
Your rummy online score is going to be based on what cards you hold when the other players have knocked.
So if you see that the player who has knocked has a lower total as compared to the other players in the game, you should add the difference to his total.
Do it in a way so the other player can see you do it.
The first player to knock will also get a further twenty points if he has a gin (i.e. a completed 10-card hand).
Incase the player who knocks has a score that is more than that of the other players, the difference, along with a 10-point bonus will be added to all other players’ score card.
This is called ‘undercut bonus’ of the rummy online game.

You get a cool twenty points every time you knock first.
But remember, these are not added to your hundred point total.
Any bonuses you earn are only added to your total at the end of the rummy online game.
Another hundred points are added to the winner’s score – a cool two hundred points are added if the other player failed to get points.

How do you keep the score in rummy online?
My favorite method is to open the Microsoft Excel and enter the scores there. Microsoft Excel makes it very easy to total up and keep tabs on each others points. But chances are the other players (specially if they are not your friends) might think you’ve fiddled with the figures so the next best alternative is to simply take a pen from some unfortunate co-passenger and jot the tally on a piece of paper or blank part of a newspaper or magazine and you’re ready to go.
Offcourse, if you are playing rummy online at rummyroyal.com then you wont need a paper to keep score.
So how does one go about betting in this game?
You may well have a ten buck wager on who acquires hundred points first.
Or, you can have each point to be worth a buck with the loser shelling out the difference.
At first glance you might think you couldn’t possibly make much out of this rummy online game.
However, let me tell you that this may be very deceptive and the game can easily turn out to be a costly one to lose or a very lucrative game in which you could make some serious money.
So you must ensure that you write down the simple rules on a piece of paper and pass it around amongst the other players so everyone agrees to whatever the rummy rules are before game begins.
You don’t want fights afterwards – especially not when you’ve won it.

Variations on the rummy online game include a twenty-five point bonus, a bonus of twenty-five points for the undercut.
Throw in another twenty-five points for being the first to knock.
Another version could be to consider the winning player scoring double if his adversary does not earn any points.
Again, decide on the scoring method before the game begins as well as how you propose to start the game.

As in the game of poker where variations are named after states so also in Rummy Online, you have similar variations.
Instead of Omaha or Texas, in Gin you have Oklahoma.
In this game version of rummy online the total points you have to knock is not set but rather it is decided by the first face up card.
The picture cards usually denote ten while an ace card usually equals one.
If an ace turns up, you can only knock by directly going for gin.
Irrespective of how the online rummy places out, you can work out your own scoring techniques.
But just make sure everyone’s in agreement with the scoring rules.

Group Stages

If you are a group of four, you could try the four-player rummy online.
This game however requires quite a bit of teamwork.
In this type, two games take place concurrently and players separate into two teams of two players each.
Scoring is similar to the 2-player version.
Both totals are summed up and the difference between the scores of the two teams goes to the higher scoring team.
The first side to reach hundred twenty five points wins.

There is also the 3-player version of Rummy Online that has one player performing as dealer for every game.
The one who loses the game goes on to become the next dealer.
If you really want to earn some cool dough, I’d suggest you play this version as you can win twice the amount.

So if you’re ready, all you need apart from your laptops is a pen, some napkin or blank piece of paper and optionally, a few beer cans.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I did the first time I played with my buddies while on a train from Boston to Philadelphia. Enjoy!

Click here to play rummy online at rummyroyal.com

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

How to Play Kalooki Rummy

August 5, 2009

Kalooki Rummy online, or Kaluki Rummy, is one of the most popular rummy card game variations in Britain.
Kalooki Rummy is much the same as Gin rummy, with some distinct variances that set it apart from other rummy online games.
Kalooki Rummy online requires 2 decks of cards, plus 2 jokers, and allows up to 4 players.
There is no Knocking or Lay-Off phase, as in most rummy games. A player must run out of cards in order to win.

Object of Kalooki Rummy

The object of Kalooki Rummy is to be the first player to run completely out of cards.
This will only win you the hand. Score is then calculated, and more hands played.
At the end of the session, the player with the most points wins the overall game.
There will either be a specific number of hands played, or a predetermined point value that must be reached, to end the game and declare a winner.
Structure of Kalooki Rummy

Kalooki Rummy Online is played with 2 standard decks of playing cards, plus 2 jokers, for a total of 106 cards. 2 to 4 people can participate.
Glossary of Kalooki Rummy Terms

The following is a list of terms and definitions often used in Kalooki Rummy.
Set: A grouping of 3 or more same-rank cards.[Ex: 3-3-3, K-K-K-K]
Run: A grouping of 4 or more sequenced cards of the same suit. In Kalooki Rummy, Aces are always High Card.
Therefore J-Q-K-A is a valid Run, but A-2-3-4 is not.
Meld: All sets and runs placed on the table are called Melds.
When a player places Sets and/or Runs on the table, it is called Melding.
Joker: There are two jokers in Kalooki rummy.
Both are considered wild cards, and may take the place of any other card in a Set or Run.
A player may take a Joker for his own hand from a Meld so long as he replaces it with the correct card.
For example, a Set of 9-9-Jkr would require any 9 in place of the Joker.
A run of 4h-5h-Jkr-7h would require a 6 of hearts.
Building: You may build on each player’s Melds so long as it is your turn, and you have the required cards to continue a Set or Run previously Melded.
Note that a player may only Build if they have already Melded.
Going Out: When a player runs completely out of cards by Melding, Building and discarding his final card on the Open Pile, he has Gone Out, winning the hand.
Score is then calculated.
Going Kalooki: This is when a player completes all of the requirements to go out in a single play.
If the player is holding all other their cards at the start of the play (has not yet Melded), then Melds, Builds (optional) and plays the last card on the discard pile all in the same play, he has gone Kalooki.

Taking Score in Kalooki Rummy Online

When a player wins the hand by Going Out or Going Kalooki, all cards remaining in their opponents’ hands are added up.
This becomes the score of the winning player.
Card values are scored in the following manner: 2-10 = Face Value [2 = 2 points, 3 = 3 points … 10 = 10 points] Face Cards = 10 Points Aces = 1 Point Bonus

Scoring in Kalooki Rummy

If a player Goes Kalooki, all opponents must take a penalty of 25 points subtracted from their score.

How To Play Kalooki Rummy  online– The Deal

The game begins with each player drawing one card.
The highest card determines the dealer.
Cards are shuffled and cut, then dealt; 10 cards to each player.
A final card is placed face up to start the Open Pile (discard pile).
The remaining cards are placed face down as the Draw Pile, or Stock Pile.
Players then take turns, starting left of the dealer and continuing clockwise.
On a player’s turn, they must first draw one card, then Meld if they wish, and end their turn by discarding on card on the Open Pile.
The game continues in this manner until one player runs completely out of cards.
Score is taken and a new hand begins.
This continues until one player has won the game. Kalooki Rummy – Notes Should the draw pile decrease to only 2 cards remaining, the hand immediately ends.
There is no winner.
A new hand is dealt.
It is not acceptable to draw a card from the open pile at the start of your play, then discard the same card at the end of the same turn.

Play Rummy Online Today – Click Here

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

How to Play Oklahoma Gin

August 3, 2009

 
Oklahoma Gin is a popular spin-off from the most favored rummy online game, Gin Rummy. Card players round the world have been playing Oklahoma Gin and other rummy card games for countless years, but the recent introduction of rummy online games over the last decade have further solidified its unwavering presence.
 
Oklahoma Gin rummy online follows the exact same rules as Gin Rummy, with one distinct, and very interesting, variation.
It has everything to do with the first card played in the Open Pile, immediately after players are dealt their hands.
In Gin Rummy, players must have 10 or less ‘Deadwood’ in order to knock.
In Oklahoma Gin, this ever-important card determines the amount of Deadwood they may knock with.
In some cases, they may be required to Go Gin to win, they may even receive double score for certain cards.
 
 
Object of Oklahoma Gin
The object of Oklahoma Gin is simple enough – be the first to run out of cards. Players can accomplish this by placing “melds” on the table.
Melds are combinations of cards, including “sets” – 3 or more cards of the same rank – and “runs” – 4 or more sequenced cards of the same suit.
When each hand ends, score is taken.
The first player to reach the predetermined winning-score amount is the winner.
 
 
Structure of Oklahoma Gin
Oklahoma Gin is a rummy card game played by two people, with a standard deck of 52 cards.
Home games will sometimes make way for 4 people to play, requiring two decks of cards.
 
 
Glossary of Oklahoma Gin Terms
Various terms are used to define different hand structures and ways to win Oklahoma Gin.
We have listed all of the common Oklahoma Gin terms below, along with their basic meanings.
 
Set: A combination of 3 or more cards of the same rank. [Ex: 3-3-3, K-K-K-K]
 
Run: A combination of 4 or more same-suit cards running in sequence. Note that Aces are always low in Oklahoma Gin.
A Run of Ah-2h-3h-4h is valid, but Jh-Qh-Kh-Ah is not.
 
Meld: All sets and runs placed on the table are called Melds.
A player may play Melds only when it is their turn, after drawing a card, but before discarding.
 
Knock: Once a player has Melded, if they have equal or less than the required Deadwood left in their hand, they may Knock.
This means the other player has one more turn to Lay-Off before the hand is over. When a player knocks, they must place all Deadwood on the discard pile.
 
Lay-Off: If you opponent Knocks, you have one more play in which to Meld, and build on current Melds.
Building on a Meld means to add appropriate cards to a current Meld.
For example, if a player has Melds a Run of 5-6-7-8-9 in Hearts, you may add a 4 of Hearts or 10 of Hearts.
If you add a 4 of Hearts, you may also add a 3 of Hearts, and so on.
A player should try to get rid of as many cards as possible when Laying-Off.
All remaining cards will count against you when scoring.
 
Deadwood: The cards left in a players hand when the hand is over are called Deadwood.
The player who knocks must have a minimum amount of Deadwood, corresponding to the first card placed in the discard pile, or Open Pile, when the hand begins.
The player to Lay-Off will try to have as little Deadwood as possible.
 
Going Gin: Going Gin is the best way to win Oklahoma Gin.
This means a player has gotten rid of all of his cards, without any Deadwood remaining.
When this happens, the player does not need to knock, therefore his opponent is not able to Lay-Off cards.
 
 
Taking Score in Oklahoma Gin
Oklahoma Gin is scored the same as Gin Rummy, in most ways.
When the hand ends, all cards remaining in a player’s hand are added up.
The player who Knocks or Goes Gin is awarded these points, minus his own Deadwood.
There is normally a predetermined “winning-score”.
The player who first reaches this score wins the rummy online game.
 
If one player Knocks, his Deadwood is calculated.
The opponent then Lays-Off, and his own Deadwood is added up.
The player to knock will subtract his own Deadwood from his opponents.
The difference becomes the winner’s score.
Should the loser end up with less Deadwood than the winner (the one who Knocked), the winner is awarded an additional 25 point bonus for “Undercutting”.
 
If a player Goes Gin, there is no Lay-Off phase.
All cards remaining in the opponents hand are added up, and this becomes the winners score.
The winner is also awarded an extra 25 point bonus for going Gin.
 
Card values are scored in the following manner:
 
2-10 = Face Value [2 = 2 points, 3 = 3 points … 10 = 10 points]
Face Cards = 10 Points
Aces = 1 Point
 
 
Bonus Scoring in Gin Rummy
We mentioned a few ways to get bonus score in Oklahoma Gin.
We’ll better define these below.
 
Going Gin grants the winner an extra 25 point in bonus score.
A player must Meld all of his card, with no Deadwood remaining, in order to Go Gin.
 
Undercutting happens when a player Lays-Off, and ends up with less Deadwood than his opponent knocked with.
Let’s say you knock with 5 Deadwood.
Your opponent then Lay-Off and ends up with 3 Deadwood.
This is Undercutting, and is worth 25 bonus points to the winner.
 
 
How To Play Oklahoma Gin – The Deal
Each player will first draw a card to determine the dealer.
The highest card deals first.
Cards are then shuffled and cut.
The dealer will give each player 10 cards.
The next card will be placed face up to start the discard pile, or Open Pile.
This card is extremely important!
 
The first card on the Open Pile determines how much Deadwood a player can have in order to knock.
If this card is a 7, the Deadwood limit is 7.
A King gives a deadwood limit of 10, and so forth.
There are sometimes special rules given to certain cards and suits.
The most common rules are:
 
If the first card is an Ace, a player must Go Gin to win. Knocking is not allowed.
If the card is a Spade, standard rules apply, but Double Score is taken at the end of the hand.
 
The game continues with each player taking turns.
On a player’s turn, they will first draw one card from the Draw Pile, or Stock Pile (the stack of cards remaining after the deal phase).
The player may then Meld, if they wish.
When they are done, they must discard one card into the Open Pile.
 
Play continues in this fashion until one player Knocks or Goes Gin.
If the player Goes Gin, the hand is over and score is taken.
If the player Knocks, the opponent enters the Lay-Off phase, after which the hand is over and score is taken.
 
 
Oklahoma Gin – Notes
If the Draw Pile decreases to only 2 cards remaining, the game immediately ends.
There is no winner, no score is taken.
A new hand will be dealt.
 
A player may not pick up a card from the Open Pile, and at the end of the same turn, discard that same card.

Play Oklahoma Gin today at Rummyroyal.com

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

How to Play Traditional Rummy Online

July 30, 2009

 

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Rummy Royal $25k Guaranteed Tournament

July 29, 2009

Rummy Royal has announced another great promotion for all Rummy Online players that have an account with them. 
Players can play in a Kalooki 51 tournament that has a guaranteed prize pool of $25,000! 
This means that no matter how many players enter, you will have a chance to win a share of $25,000. 
This guaranteed rummy tournament is a multi-table tournament that will be held on September 13th at 19:00 GMT or 15:00 EST.

For those who are unaware of Rummy Royal, it is an online platform where Rummy players can play Gin Rummy online (or basically any type of Rummy) for real money. 
There are over 5000 players online at peak hours, and over 1000 tables running.  Players can play on a no download platform, or can download the full software that has great graphics and features.

This massive guaranteed rummy online tournament has a buy-in of $100 and players can rebuy up to four times in the first hour of the tournament. 
$100 buy-in too big for you? 
No worries – players can qualify for the Rummy Online tournament for as little as $3.25 through the smaller qualifying tournaments. 
Players can also play for a qualifying voucher in smaller 2 or 4 seat single tournament. 
More information on how to qualify for the $25,000 guaranteed tournament below.

Everyday at 18:00 GMT there will be a $7 buy-in tournament that will have one guaranteed voucher up for grabs, and most likely more depending on the player turn out. 
Everyday of the week at 21:00 GMT Rummy Royal will hold a $16.50 buy-in tournament that has a guaranteed two vouchers up for grabs.  

Every Saturday at 23:00 GMT there is a $22 buy-in tournament with a five guaranteed vouchers for the $25k Rummy tournament! 
Players can win a seat to this $22 buy-in qualifier through smaller daily satellites.  Sunday through Friday at 23:00 GMT Rummy Royal will have $3.25 buy-in qualifiers, where 2 guaranteed vouchers for the $22 Saturday qualifier will be given away. 
This gives smaller players a legitimate shot at winning a seat into the $25k rummy online tournament for less than four dollars!

On top of all these great Rummy $25k tournament qualifiers, there are daily qualifiers run 24/7. 
A $27 buy-in four player tournament gives the winner a $100 seat to the tournament, and a $55 buy-in two player tournament will give the winner a $100 voucher as well. 
These rummy online tournaments run around the clock when players are ready to play and can be found int he tournament lobby. 
So sign up for RummyRoyal.com if you don’t already have an account, and get started today for you shot at winning part of the $25k prize pool!

Next Page »