There are two types of manipulation rummy games you can enjoy, although they are called by several different names. Manipulation rummy games are sometimes called Shanghai, Vatikan, or Carousel games, and there is a Sabra style manipulation variant called Rummikub®. All of these games involve the act of discarding cards or tiles through the formation of melds or card sets. Existing melds in these types of games can be rearranged or manipulated so that you can make new melds by integrating the cards you hold in your hand.

In manipulation rummy games players are not presented with a discard pile. The only possible moves to make are to either meld cards or to draw. Anything not melded into a viable set remains in the player’s hand. Carousel rummy involves the act of drawing one to three cards every turn. Vatikan rummy involve the act of drawing no cards or one card for each turn. Shanghai allows for unlimited numbers of cards to be drawn by players – another type of manipulation game includes Finagle, were there is no limit on card drawing. Of all the manipulation games, the most coveted is Rummikub®.

Some manipulation games limit the number of cards a player can discard through melding on a single turn. This is done in an effort to prevent card hoarding and to further prevent the creation of too many manipulated sets of cards all at once.

Carousel Rummy includes the use of 53 cards: a standard deck and one joker between two players. If playing with three to five players, then the deck is doubled. Every player gets ten cards to start.
Vatikan starts out the same way, except all players get thirteen cards at initial deal instead of ten. In Shanghai, players get ten cards dealt in sets of three, three, three, and one. This game allows for three to five players and no jokers are used. In Manipulation Rummy, more than five players are allowed to play, but an additional pack of cards has to be added to the two decks. Every card starts with seven cards in this variant.

If you want to play Rummikub® online you can do so at Rummikub.com. You can also play Shanghai at Lilgames.com. You can use the free gaming sites to hone your rummy manipulation gaming skills and try out playing manipulation rummy games at these sites.

Tags: manipulation rummy