🏆 Objective

Each player is dealt 13 cards. On your turn, draw one card and discard one. Arrange all 13 cards into valid melds and declare. The first valid declaration wins — all other players score penalty points.

• 2–6 players, standard 52-card deck plus printed Jokers
• One card is randomly chosen as the Wild Joker at the start
• You must have at least one Pure Sequence to declare
• Lowest penalty score wins over multiple rounds

🃏 Melds — The Three Types

A meld is a valid group of cards. All 13 cards must form melds to declare. There are three types:

• Pure Sequence — 3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit, no Jokers. This is the only mandatory meld. You must have at least one.
• Sequence — 3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit, where a Joker may substitute for a missing card.
• Set — 3 or 4 cards of the same rank, different suits (e.g., 7♠ 7♥ 7♦). Jokers may fill a missing slot.

Examples:

🃏 Jokers

There are two kinds of Jokers, both of which can substitute for any card in a Sequence or Set — but not in a Pure Sequence.

• Printed Joker — the physical Joker card in the deck. Always a wildcard.
• Wild Joker — one rank is randomly chosen at the start (e.g., all 8s become Jokers). Any card of that rank, in any suit, acts as a Joker.
• Jokers score 0 penalty points if left unmelded when another player declares.

🔄 Taking a Turn

On your turn you must do two things: draw one card, then discard one card.

• Draw — take the top card from the closed deck, or pick up the top card of the discard pile
• Discard — place one card face-up on the discard pile to end your turn
• You cannot pick up a card from the discard pile and immediately discard the same card
• Plan your melds as you go — group cards in your hand visually to track progress

✅ Declaring

When your 13 cards can be arranged into valid melds with at least one Pure Sequence, you can declare. Tap DECLARE, arrange your cards into groups, and submit.

• A valid declaration requires: ≥1 Pure Sequence + remaining cards in valid Sequences or Sets
• All 13 cards must be part of a meld — no leftover cards allowed
• An invalid declaration results in an 80-point penalty and you continue playing
• First valid declaration ends the round — the winner scores 0 points

🔢 Scoring & Penalties

When someone declares, all other players count the points of their unmelded cards. Face cards (J, Q, K, A) are worth 10 points each. Number cards are worth their face value. Jokers are worth 0.

• Winner scores 0 points
• Other players score the sum of their unmelded card values, capped at 80
• Invalid declaration: 80 points (automatic)
• First Drop (leaving before drawing): 20 points
• Middle Drop (leaving after drawing at least once): 40 points

🧠 Winning at Rummy

Rummy rewards patience, card memory, and knowing when to drop. A disciplined player who drops early with 20 points beats one who chases a hand and takes 80.

• Build your Pure Sequence first. Without at least one Pure Sequence, you cannot declare. Prioritise connecting your purest run before anything else — middle cards (5, 6, 7, 8) offer the most connection opportunities.
• Watch the discard pile. The card your opponent discards tells you what they don't need — and sometimes reveals their hand. Never pick from the discard pile if it telegraphs your meld to everyone.
• Hold onto Jokers. A Joker is your most flexible card. Don't waste it in a Set when it could complete a critical Sequence that unlocks your declaration.
• Drop early if your hand is bad. Starting with scattered high cards and no runs? Drop immediately for 20 points rather than risk 80. Over multiple rounds, disciplined drops add up.
• Discard high cards first. If you haven't melded your Aces or face cards, they'll cost 10 points each if someone else declares. Dump them early unless they're part of a forming meld.
• Track what's been discarded. If three 7s have been discarded, the fourth 7 will never complete your Set. Abandon that group and reorganise.