Gin Rummy♠

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History and selected rules

Gin Rummy is an American rummy game; Pagat credits Elwood Baker around 1911. We select the traditional 2-player profile with gin bonus 20 and undercut bonus 10. Do not substitute other tables’ larger bonuses during a session.

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Setup and deal

Use 52 cards, no jokers. Ace is always low, worth 1; J/Q/K count 10, others their numbers. A random dealer gives 10 each, exposes the next discard and keeps a face-down stock. Nondealer may take the upcard; if declined, dealer may take it. If both decline, nondealer draws stock. A scored hand’s winner deals next; after cancellation the same dealer deals.

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Playing a hand

On each turn draw the top stock or discard, then discard one. Do not immediately return a discard just taken. Build sets of 3–4 equal ranks or same-suit runs of at least 3; each card belongs to one meld only. A–2–3 is legal, Q–K–A is not. Keep melds concealed until ending.

After drawing you may knock: discard face down and expose 10 cards with unmatched deadwood totalling at most 10. Zero deadwood is gin. Opponent exposes melds and, unless you went gin, may lay off unmatched cards on your melds by extending runs or completing triples. Never lay off on deadwood; the knocker cannot lay off on the opponent. Knocking is optional. If stock reaches 2 after an ordinary discard without knocking, cancel without score or a final extra turn.

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Complete scoring

After layoffs, a knocker with less deadwood scores the difference. If tied or higher, opponent scores the difference +10 for undercutting. Gin earns the knocker 20 plus all opposing deadwood without layoffs. First to reach 100 or more ends the game and adds 100, or 200 if the opponent never scored. Each then adds 20 per hand won. These bonuses do not help reach the target. Higher final total wins; equal totals tie. No money is needed.

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Worked example

You knock with deadwood 7. After legal layoffs your opponent has 5 and scores 7 − 5 + 10 = 12. A legal knock need not win. The pictured 4♥–5♥–6♥ accepts 7♥ only if the knocker did not go gin.

← On a small screen, scroll the diagram horizontally. →

Common questions