Gin Rummy Rules: How to Play
Gin rummy is a fast two-player card game. The goal is to form your cards into sets and runs and be the first to reach 100 points. Play gin rummy free
Overview
Two players, one standard 52-card deck, no jokers. Aces are low. Face cards count 10, aces 1, and number cards their face value.
The deal
Each player is dealt 10 cards. The next card is turned face up to start the discard pile; the rest form the stock.
On the first turn, the non-dealer may take that face-up card or pass. If they pass, the dealer gets the same choice. If both pass, the non-dealer starts by drawing from the stock.
Playing a turn
Draw one card from the stock or the discard pile, then discard one card face up. You can't discard the card you just picked up from the discard pile on the same turn.
If only two cards are left in the stock and the player who just drew discards without knocking, the hand is a draw and nobody scores.
Melds and deadwood
A set is 3 or 4 cards of the same rank. A run is 3 or more cards in sequence in one suit (A-2-3 counts; Q-K-A does not). Unmatched cards are deadwood.
Knocking and gin
If your deadwood totals 10 or less, you may knock after discarding. With no deadwood at all, you go gin. If all 11 cards in your hand form melds right after you draw, you can lay them all down without discarding — that's big gin.
Scoring
Knocker scores the difference in deadwood. Gin scores 25 plus the opponent's deadwood. Big gin scores 31 plus the opponent's deadwood. If the defender's deadwood is equal or lower after laying off, it's an undercut: the defender scores 25 plus the difference.
2-player game
Standard gin rummy is played by two players. Play continues hand after hand until someone reaches 100 points. The deal alternates between players; after a drawn hand, the same player deals again.
3-player gin rummy
With three players, the dealer sits out each hand and the other two play a normal hand. The loser of the hand deals the next one.