Indian
Rummy is a card game often played with two or more decks, in which the
players try to form sets and sequences of cards. One or more standard deck
comprising 52 cards is used in the game. Two printed jokers are used in
addition to it. 13 cards are dealt to each player. The objective of the game is
to meld all the 13 cards into proper sets or sequences.
Most of us in India are used to playing the
rummy game with joker cards. These wild cards come as a jackpot during the
course of a rummy game as it allows the player to complete their
sets/sequences. However, the true test for a rummy player is to win without
jokers in the game. Rummy experts do not need the assistance of joker cards to
complete the meld as they rely more on their skills to complete the game than an
external assistance like Joker.
Let’s get this straight; a joker card makes
playing Indian rummy easy. As we have reiterated before, Indian rummy is a game
of skill and in order to test the real skills of playing rummy. In order to
gain expertise in rummy one must learn to play the game even without a joker.
It might appear easier said than done but it is possible.
The thumb rule to succeed without joker is
to keep a close tab on the cards discarded/picked by your opponent. You must be
on your toes all the time while playing the Game. You should be adept in doing
quick calculations and must predict the cards that may be useful to your
opponent.
Count
your Points
You should be aware that all cards carry a
certain number of points.
•
J (Jack) - 10 points
•
Q (Queen) - 10 points
•
K (King) - 10 points
•
A (Ace) - 10 points
•
All other numbered cards carry the same points as their face value for
ex. 7 carries 7 points and 3 carries 3 points.
•
The jokers carry zero points.
Points play a very vital role in online
rummy. If your starting hands are bad, it is advised to abort the game as you
run the risk of losing with high points if you don't. If you drop the game
initially with a bad starting hand, you will lose only with 20 points. You can
also drop out in the middle of the game when you’re finding it difficult to
make melds; middle drop will cause you to lose with 40 points. Dropping the
game is completely players’ call. You can read our article on the types of
starting hands in our blog.
Learn to Play without Joker
Professional rummy players can easily
predict the sets/run their opponents are trying to build. If their opponent is
picking more from the open deck then it is evident that you’re dropping the
card required by him. Professional rummy players would pick their cards mostly
from the closed deck and play with it. They would pick a card from the open
deck only when they are on the verge of completing the objective. Once you’re
used to picking cards from the closed deck and completing the game, you can
easily play the game even without joker card.
Try playing an Indian rummy game without
joker card and let us know how it was to play the game without it. Fortunately,
the rummy card games hosted at DeccanRummy.com
are played with a joker. If you wish to try out online rummy games for free, do
not hesitate to sign up with us. Once you sign up, we will credit your user
account with Rs. 25 as a token of appreciation. Happy Playing!
