How to play Rummy
Here’s how to play Rummy, the 7-card version: you’re dealt seven cards and need to turn them into one meld of four and one meld of three before anyone else does. Draw a card, discard a card, and the first hand to fit wins the round. It’s free to play online.
Melds are either sets of the same rank or runs of the same suit in order. Win three rounds out of five to take the match, against one to three of ten computer players or your friends.
The basics
Everyone gets 7 cards. Be the first to turn them into one meld of 4 and one meld of 3.
Melds
- A set: cards of the same rank — 7♠ 7♥ 7♦ (7♣).
- A run: the same suit in order — 4♣ 5♣ 6♣ (7♣). Aces go low (A-2-3) or high (Q-K-A), but runs don’t wrap: K-A-2 doesn’t count.
Your turn
- Draw one card: the top of the stock or the top of the discard pile.
- Then discard one card. You can’t throw back the card you just picked up from the discard pile.
- The moment the 7 cards you keep make a 4 + 3, you win the round — the Declare button appears when your selected card is the one to throw.
- Nothing is laid on the table during play; you just hold your cards until you can declare.
- If the stock runs out, the discard pile (apart from its top card) is shuffled to make a new stock.
The match
- Best of 5 rounds: first to win 3 rounds wins the match. Who goes first is picked at random each round.
Controls
- Tap a card to select it, then Discard — or double-tap it, or drag it onto the discard pile.
- Drag cards left and right to arrange your hand. Sort cycles suit, rank and melds first.
- Coloured lines under your cards show the melds you already hold.
- Keyboard: Tab to a card, Enter selects, Shift+←/→ moves it, S draws from the stock, T takes the discard, D discards, W declares, O sorts.
- Settings () has sounds, vibration, larger cards and four-colour suits.
Opponents
- Ten computer players, from Level 1 (throws away the card it needed) up to Pete, who counts every card and won’t hand you yours.
- 1-on-1 is the Beat Pete ladder: beat an opponent to unlock the next. With 2 or 3 opponents you can pick anyone for each seat. As a guest you can play Trevor; sign up free for better opponents and the full ladder.
- Against Levels 1–3 you get hints when you’re one card away.
- You can also play your friends online from the New game sheet — and fill empty seats with computer players.
Beginner tips
- Think before you discard. Keep cards that could join two different melds, and throw away the ones that fit nowhere. Coloured lines under your cards show the melds you already hold.
- Watch what your opponents pick up from the discard pile. It shows what they are collecting, so avoid throwing the card they need.
- Aces are flexible: low in A-2-3 or high in Q-K-A. But runs don’t wrap round, so K-A-2 doesn’t count.
Frequently asked questions
How do you win a round of Rummy?
Be the first to make the seven cards you keep into one meld of 4 and one meld of 3. The moment they do, you can declare and win the round.
What is a set and a run in Rummy?
A set is cards of the same rank, such as 7♠ 7♥ 7♦. A run is cards of the same suit in order, such as 4♣ 5♣ 6♣.
Can I throw back the card I just picked up?
No. You can’t discard the card you just picked up from the discard pile. If the stock runs out, the discard pile (apart from its top card) is shuffled to make a new stock.
How many rounds are in a match, and who goes first?
A match is best of 5 rounds, so the first to win 3 rounds wins. Who goes first is picked at random each round.
Is it free to play Rummy against the computer?
Yes. Rummy is free to play in your browser, with nothing to download. Guests can play the first computer opponent, Trevor, and a free account unlocks the rest of the ten-level ladder up to Pete. You can also play your friends online, and fill empty seats with computer players.
Ready to play Rummy?
It’s free and works in your browser — no download. Start against Trevor, the friendliest opponent, and sign up free to climb the ladder of ten computer players all the way to Pete.
Play Rummy now