How to play Gin Rummy

The goal

Form melds and keep your unmatched cards (deadwood) low. A meld is a set of 3 or 4 cards of the same rank, or a run of 3 or more cards in a row of the same suit. First to 100 points wins.

Setting up

• Deal 10 cards to each player.
• Turn one card face up to start the discard pile. The rest is the stock.
• Card values: face cards 10, Aces 1, the others their number.

A turn, step by step

1. 1

   Draw. Take the top card of the discard pile or of the stock.

2. 2

   Discard. Put one card face up on the discard pile. You always end with 10 cards.

3. 3

   Knock. When your deadwood totals 10 or less, you may knock: lay out your melds and deadwood.

4. 4

   Lay off. Your opponent lays out their melds and can add their deadwood to your melds.

5. 5

   Score. The knocker scores the difference in deadwood. Gin (0 deadwood) adds a 25-point bonus; if the opponent has less or equal deadwood, they undercut you and get the bonus.

Beginner mistakes

✗ Keeping high deadwood

Kings and Queens that don't fit anywhere cost 10 each. Drop them early.

✗ Waiting for Gin

A quick knock with low deadwood often wins more than waiting for a perfect hand.

✗ Showing your plan

Every discard you pick up tells your opponent what you collect.

✗ Ignoring their pickups

Note what they take, and don't discard cards that fit their melds.

Three real situations. Pick a move, then read why it works.

Frequently asked questions