Depending on the area and population, there are a large number of variations of Rummy.
Most of the variants of Rummy are based on making sequences, while some of them are slightly different on counting points.
Rummy is actually a huge origin of many games, and some of the extensions are not even card games!
In North America, “Rummy” is always referred to a certain game called “Gin Rummy,” while people are actually talking about Indian Rummy which is known as “Paplu.” Indian Rummy aka Paplu is also known as marriage Rummy, usually because it’s played in wedding ceremonies.
Since there are a lot of variations of Rummy games, normally we can divide them into several families.
Melding family of Rummy
This is the most basic and closest family of Rummy. The main goal of “melding family” will always be making your cards into sequences and sets. Some of them even set the minimum points requirement on the very first sequence or set, while some of them must include a discard for the final meld. Also, the difference of cards’ points are the distinction.
These are all in the Melding family of Rummy games:
German Rummy
Indian Marriage
Indonesian rummy (remi)
Machiavelli
Marriage
Red three rummy
500 Rum
5000 Rum
Bing rummy
Continental
Cuajo
Desmoche
Panguingue
Penang rummy
Scala 40
Seven bridge
Shanghai rum
Speed Rummy
Ten pennies
Three thirteen
Tong-its
Treppenrommé
Contract Family of Rummy
In this variant of Rummy, players are assigned specific goals to achieve. The objectives can be known or unknown to other players. What’s more, players can even decide the goal on their own, announcing them before the Rummy starts. Eventually, players will be either prized or punished with extra points depending on whether their mission is completed or not.
These are all in the contract family of Rummy:
- Contract rummy
- Kalooki
- Dummy rummy
- Carioca
- Phase 10
- Liverpool rummy
- Zioncheck
Canasta family of Rummy
In the canasta family of Rummy, two or more decks of cards are often used, and there will be many wild cards which can replace the card you want. Rules and limitations are more on the first meld.
These are all examples of the canasta family of Rummy.
- Buraco
- Biriba
- Canasta
- Hand & Foot
- Samba
- Mille
Knock Rummy
In Knock Rummy, players have to reveal all the cards in hand at the end of the game. The reason why it’s called knock Rummy is that players may make a sign like knock or discard his final useless card to inform other players.
These are all in the category of Knock Rummy:
- Gin rummy
- Indian Rummy
- Rumino
- Tonk (aka Tunk)
- Viennese Rummy
Variations with special cards or equipments
Mahjong from East Asia, or Rummikub which is popular in the Middle East, or the four color cards are all variations of Rummy as well.
Conclusion
Do the amount of variations from Rummy make an impact on your mind? The simple rules and basic concept are the reason that makes Rummy so widely spread, for people can always find their favorite rules and variants to play.