Liverpool Rummy

Liverpool Rummy is a game intended for a relatively large number of players, with a few round, similar to the traditional Rummy game in series melding. In this game you play with 2 decks of cards when there are 4-5 players, and 3 decks when there are more players. Each deck contains 52 cards and the Ace can perform as one point (the lowest card) and the highest card which comes after the King card.

The dealer is switched in each round. The player who gets the lowest card is the first one to begin. The dealer deals 10 cards for each player (in certain rounds, 12 cards are dealt). After dealing the cards the dealer places one card facing up (revealed) in the middle of the table, this card represents the discard pile.

The process of the game:

In every round the following moves are being executed:

1. Each player is allowed to "buy" as many cards he wants from the discard pile.

2. Each player draws one card whether from the discard pile (top card) or from the deck pile.

3. Each player is allowed to reveal the series in his hand whether they are sets or runs.

4. Each player is allowed to add cards to existing series that other players already melded on the table earlier.

5. Discarding a card at the end of each round to the discard pile. If the deck card was already used by the same player or by a different player who melded and revealed his cards, any other player is then allowed to declare "Rummy", and in this case each player passes one card to the next player in the round. If the next player starts the round by drawing a card or enables buying, the option for declaring "Rummy" passes on.

The object of the Liverpool Rummy is to meld as quickly as possible and before the other players. The hand can be arranged in 2 different possible series:

1. A 3 or 4 cards with the same value but of different shapes for example 9, 9, 9, 9 – this is called a set.

2. A 4 cards and more sequence with the same shape, for example 3,4,5,6,7 heart shaped – this is called a Run.

What are the required for melding then?

First round – 2 sets (6 cards)

Second round – 1 set and 1 run (7 cards)

Third round – 3 sets (9 cards)

Fourth Round – 3 sets (9 cards)

Fifth Round – 2 sets and 1 run when a single card is left which is discarded to the discard pile (10 cards).

Sixth round – 1 set and 2 runs when no cards are left in the hand at all.

After melding the hand, the player is allowed to add cards which are suitable for series melded by other players, also for sets and runs.

Counting the points at the end of each round:

When a player completes all the cards in his hand and wins the round, the cards which are left in the hands of the other players are counted, as the value of the cards is as follows:

Ace and 2 are equal 25 points each.

3 – 9 are equal 5 points each.

10, J, Q and K are equal 10 points each.

The player left with the lowest number of points at the end of all round is the winner. This is why the object of the players is to stay with the minimum score at the end of each round.

Cards with the value of 2 are used as Jokers and can be used to arrange series instead of any other card, but only in a legit way. In a set series you can arrange the 2 if there are at least 2 cards which build the series and are not the – 2. For example: 8 Heart shaped + 8 clover + 2 of some sort which is used as a Joker.

You can't compile a series like that when you use two 2 cards and only one 8 card. The same goes for a running series – you can use the 2 as a Joker when there are at least 3 cards which compile the series – for example: 4 Heart shaped + 5 Heart shaped + 2 as a Joker + 7 Heart shaped.

Back to Rummy Articles