Historical Beginnings of Online Rummy

February 3, 2010

The third most popular card game – Rummy has everyone guessing as to its origin.
There are many theories propounded by experts and each appears feasible when you think about it. There is however, no doubt as to the popularity of this exciting game and one reason for this world-wide acceptance may lie in the fact that this has been a family game since the time when card games evolved.
Even today’s net savvy kids find this challenging game interesting enough and welcome the prospect to play online rummy.

As mentioned earlier, many theories about the origins of rummy have been presented, yet we are not really certain as to which theory is closer to the truth about the origins of rummy.
People from all over the world play rummy, albeit with slight variations.
If you ask me, the modern version of online rummy games may have been a blend of the various forms of draw and discard card games played in various cultures and nations over centuries.
The basic structure of the game has endured these amalgamations – the rummy rules still require you to draw a card and discard another in its place, before your opponent has the opportunity to do so.
Almost every rummy variation, be it the Chinese version or the Italian one, requires you to create sets and runs of your cards so as to get rid of all of them.

The Chinese Origins of Rummy

One theory states that the Chinese card game of Mahjong was the earliest card games where the playing pattern of drawing and discarding a card was used.
Other games from the Orient like ‘Khanhoo’ and ‘Kon Khin’ which date back to the 18^th century share similarities with Poker and rummy.
These games traveled along with the Chinese immigrants to other parts of the world.
Portuguese and British traders who visited China during their voyages learnt these card games and popularized them in their own countries.

The Spanish Connection

The Spanish card game ‘Conquian‘ is often said to be the father of the modern online rummy games. Centuries ago, the Spaniards enjoyed this card game which they later brought to Mexico.
Some folks believe this to be true, while some believe it was the other way round – that the game actually originated in Mexico which then spread to other countries of the world.
Conquian is believed to have traveled to the US in the late 18^th century, beginning with Texas.
The Americans called it, ‘Coon-King’, ‘Coon Can’ or ‘Conkin’.

Here is an interesting anecdote about the term ‘Rummy’.
When Conquian was adopted by the English, they named the game ‘Rum’ which was their way of referring to anything that was odd, strange or queer and because there was a lot of travel between England and America, the name was carried to America where it came to be known as ‘Rummy’.

Yet another theory postulates that Coon Can actually began in America and was later brought to Mexico and called Conquian, meaning ‘with whom’.
However, it is believed the term Conquian was chosen, not for its meaning, but because the word sounded like the American name of the game, Coon Can.

Connecting Poker to Online Rummy…

Some people who love to play rummy believe that Poker is the source of this game.
This assumption may have been made because both Poker and rummy have a similar pattern of play. French settlers carried the game of Poker to the West.
The formation of sets in rummy is quite similar to the ‘three-of-a-kind’ in Poker. ‘Straights’ in Poker are similar to the run in Rummy.
Whiskey Poker which was a popular game back then was re-named “Rum Poker” and later people began calling it “Rum” and then “Rummy”, a name that continues even today.

Exploring the origins of Gin Rummy

Gin Rummy is one of the most popular variations of Rummy.
Gin Rummy is believed to have originated from Knock Rummy.
Elwood T. Baker along with his son is credited with the invention of this variation of rummy.
Baker was the one to refine the scoring system, making it easier to play rummy for money and so it became easier to play online rummy (Gin Rummy) due to Elwood Baker’s efforts.
Gin rummy became a popular fixture in the American culture, more specifically in Broadway and Hollywood, with stars popularizing the game in the movies as well as in real life.

During the period of the Great Depression, people lacked the financial resources for leisure activities.
They turned to playing rummy, which was an inexpensive source of entertainment.
It was also a great way to bond with friends and family and since those times, Gin rummy has become extremely popular as a family game.
As of today, the wave of popularity continues, with people opting to play online rummy and enjoying free games or even playing for money.

In tracing the history of online rummy, we may not find a definite answer as to its origins.
Each theory has some element of truth and hence each one appears plausible.
Various books have been written on the subject with authors supporting one theory or the other. Many of the books published before 1970 support the Conquian theory.
Scarne upholds the Poker theory while “History of Gin Rummy” by David Parlett favors the Chinese connection.
It is however, an undisputable fact that online rummy has crossed geographical barriers and is gaining great popularity.

With the present Internet revolution, online rummy has a huge fan following.
Rummy players from all over the globe compete with each other at Rummyroyal.com, irrespective of the time factors or cultural barriers.
Old timers who play rummy in the traditional manner are willing to check out new options of online play.
Net savvy teenagers are looking for the challenges that online rummy has to offer.
With the kind of recognition that online rummy is getting, it will soon be one of the most accepted and well-liked card games.
The trends show that playing online rummy is the in thing in today’s gaming scenario and online rummy is definitely here to stay.