Edition: Basic Rummy as played in the US with one deck, plus the popular Northern European version (Rommy in Danish) with two decks and jokers, 13 cards each and a first meld of at least 40 points. Last checked October 25, 2026
Rummy Rules: How to Play Rummy
Rummy is a classic card game where you collect runs and sets and race to get rid of your cards. Americans usually play basic Rummy with one deck, while Danes play Rommy with two decks and jokers. In Denmark the name is also used for 500 Rum. Here are both versions and the most common variations.
- Players
- 2 to 6
- Age
- 8 and up
- Playing time
- 30 to 60 minutes
How to win: Be the first to get rid of all your cards. In basic Rummy the winner scores points for the cards left in the other hands. In the Danish version everyone else takes penalty points instead, and the lowest total wins.
Who is right?
The classic arguments at the table when you play Rummy.
How many points does your first meld need?
It depends.
Basic Rummy has no minimum. In the common Northern European version, the first meld must be at least 40 points.
Some use 30 points, others 51, and some families have no requirement at all.
Can you lay off on other players' melds on your first meld?
Not in the Danish version.
In basic Rummy you may lay off at any time on your turn. In Danish Rommy your first meld must be your own runs and sets. Only after that can you add to others.
Some allow laying off on others' melds right away.
Can you go out all at once from your hand?
Yes.
You may lay down all your cards in the same turn. This is called going rummy.
Many double the points or penalty points when someone goes rummy.
Can a run wrap around the ace, like queen, king, ace, 2?
No, not normally.
In basic Rummy the ace is low, so ace, 2, 3 is a run but queen, king, ace is not. In the Danish version the ace may go before the 2 or after the king, but a run cannot continue around from king over ace to 2.
Some families allow runs that wrap around the ace.
What you need
- One standard deck for basic Rummy, or two decks with jokers for the Danish version
- Paper and pencil for scoring
Setup
- 1Basic Rummy: shuffle one deck without jokers. Danish Rommy: shuffle two decks together with the jokers.
- 2Basic Rummy: deal 10 cards each with 2 players, 7 each with 3 or 4, and 6 each with 5 or 6. Danish Rommy: deal 13 cards each.
- 3Place the rest face down as the draw pile.
- 4Turn the top card face up next to it to start the discard pile.
How to play
- 1The player to the dealer's left goes first. Play goes clockwise.
- 2Draw either the top card of the draw pile or the top card of the discard pile.
- 3Lay down runs and sets, called melds. A run is at least 3 cards in a row in the same suit. A set is 3 or 4 cards of the same rank.
- 4In basic Rummy there is no minimum for your first meld. In Danish Rommy your first meld must total at least 40 points.
- 5You may also lay off, meaning add cards to any run or set on the table. In Danish Rommy you can only do this after your first meld.
- 6In the Danish version a joker can stand in for any card. If you hold the card a joker represents, you may swap it in and take the joker.
- 7End your turn by discarding one card.
- 8The first player to get rid of all their cards goes out, and the hand is over.
Card points
In basic Rummy, aces are low, face cards count 10 and number cards count their face value. The Danish version uses the values below for the first meld and for penalty points.
- 2 to 9: face value
- 10, jack, queen and king: 10 points
- Ace: 11 points in the Danish version, but 1 point when used before the 2 in a run. Always 1 point in basic Rummy
- Joker in a run or set: the value of the card it stands for
- Joker left in hand: agree on the value before you start, for example 25 or 30 penalty points
House rules
Pick the rules you want to play with tonight. Everyone at the table has to agree.
Our Rummy rules for tonight
Everything else follows the official rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Rummy and 500 Rum?
Both are rummy games. In 500 Rum you score points for the cards you meld and race to 500. In basic Rummy and the Danish version, the goal is to get rid of your cards first.
How many cards do you deal in Rummy?
In basic Rummy, 10 each with 2 players, 7 each with 3 or 4, and 6 each with 5 or 6. In the Danish two deck version, everyone gets 13 cards.
How many jokers are used in Rummy?
Basic Rummy uses no jokers. The Danish version uses the jokers from both decks, usually 4 to 6 jokers.
Source: Standard American card game references and common Danish and Northern European tradition for Rommy. The rules are written in our own words. Ask the referee if you are unsure.