How to Play Gin Rummy
Gin Rummy is the classic two-player rummy game. Draw and discard to arrange your ten cards into sets and runs. Knock when your unmatched cards are worth 10 points or less, or wait for a perfect gin hand.
- Players
- You vs 1 computer player
- Cards
- Standard 52 cards
- Game length
- 10–20 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
The goal
Arrange your cards into sets and runs, get your leftover cards as low as possible, and be the first player to reach 100 points.
Setting up
- Two players use one standard 52-card deck. Each player gets 10 cards.
- The next card is turned face up to start the discard pile. The rest is the draw pile.
- The player who did not deal goes first. The deal alternates every hand.
Melds and deadwood
- A set is three or four cards of the same rank, such as 7♠ 7♥ 7♦.
- A run is three or more cards in a row of the same suit, such as 4♣ 5♣ 6♣. Aces are low: A-2-3 is a run, Q-K-A is not.
- Each card can belong to only one meld. Cards that are not in a meld are deadwood.
| Card | Deadwood value |
|---|---|
| King, queen, jack, 10 | 10 |
| 2 to 9 | Face value |
| Ace | 1 |
Playing a turn
- Draw the top card of the draw pile, or take the top card of the discard pile.
- Discard one card face up. You may not throw back the card you just took from the discard pile.
Knocking and gin
When your deadwood is 10 or less, you may knock as you discard. Both hands are then shown.
- If you have no deadwood at all, you go gin.
- After a knock (but not after gin), your opponent may lay off deadwood cards on your melds: a fourth card on a set, or a card that extends a run.
Scoring
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Knock, and your opponent has more deadwood | You score the difference |
| Gin | You score your opponent's deadwood + 25 |
| Undercut: your opponent's deadwood is equal or lower than yours | They score the difference + 25 |
| Only two cards left in the draw pile, nobody knocked | No score; the hand is replayed |
The first player to reach 100 points wins the game.
Strategy tips
- Get rid of high cards that are not close to a meld early. A stray king costs 10 points.
- Taking from the discard pile shows your opponent what you are collecting. Take it when it completes or nearly completes a meld.
- Watch what your opponent picks up and avoid discarding cards that help them.
- Knocking early with low deadwood often wins. Waiting for gin is worth it only when you are very close.
Rule variations
Popular variations include Oklahoma Gin, where the first upcard sets the knock limit, and Hollywood Gin, which scores three games at once. Many players also give an extra bonus for winning the game. Our version uses the standard rules above.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between knocking and gin?
You can knock when your deadwood is 10 points or less. Gin means all ten cards are in sets or runs, which earns a bonus and cannot be undercut.
What is an undercut in Gin Rummy?
If the opponent's deadwood after laying off cards is equal to or lower than the knocker's, the opponent scores the difference plus an undercut bonus.
Card games have many house rules. This page describes the most common way Gin Rummy is played, and the version you play on Card Sunday. Does your family play differently, or have you spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will check it.
