Your first goal when playing Gin Rummy is to meld, or lay down your cards. Your initial meld will either be a set or a run. A run is made by laying down cards that are sequential, such as 2, 3, 4. In addition, these cards must be all the same suit. A set is simply a set of cards with matching numbers or values. For example, three 4’s is a set. One distinct advantage of playing Rummy online is that with a click of a mouse, your cards will be instantly sorted instead of having to do it yourself and running the risk of overlooking something.

Deadwood is another popular Gin Rummy term that you will want to know. Deadwood is comprised of the cards in your hand that don’t fit with the other cards and this is where you really want to be careful because if you’re caught with those cards when another player goes out, they’ll count against you. For this reason, it is advisable to get rid of your highest value deadwood cards first. For example, if you’re holding a 3, an 8, and a King that don’t match any of the cards in your hand, it is advisable to discard the King because it has a point value of 10, and will hurt you the most should the game end before your next turn.

There are a lot more Rummy terms you will want to become familiar with and we will introduce more of them as we go along. We’ll also talk about various game playing strategies and how you can strengthen your Rummy game. Until then, practice makes perfect and remember, look for the bonuses at Rummy Royal!

Tags: Deadwood, Gin Rummy, initial meld, Rummy game, Rummy Royal