Objective
Gin Rummy is a two-player card game where each player tries to arrange cards into melds and reduce the value of unmatched cards, called deadwood. A hand ends when a player knocks, goes Gin, gets Big Gin, or the stock pile reaches the house-rule limit.
Setup
Use a standard 52-card deck with no jokers. Each player is dealt 10 cards. One card is turned face up to start the discard pile, and the rest of the deck becomes the stock pile.
How turns work
On each turn, a player draws one card from either the stock pile or the top of the discard pile. After drawing, the player discards one card. The usual rhythm is draw, improve your hand, then discard.
Melds
A meld is either a set or a run. A set is three or four cards of the same rank. A run is three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. Cards in melds do not count as deadwood.
Ending a hand
A hand can end with a normal knock, Gin, Big Gin, or stock closure. A normal knock is allowed when the player’s deadwood is above 0 and at or below the knock limit. Gin means the player has 0 deadwood after discarding. Big Gin means all 11 cards are melded immediately after drawing, before discarding.
Next steps
Once you understand the basic rules, learn how scoring works and why deadwood management is the key to good Gin Rummy strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cards do you get in Gin Rummy?
Each player is dealt 10 cards at the start of a standard two-player Gin Rummy hand.
Can you play Gin Rummy online?
Yes. This site is being built to support online Gin Rummy games against other players and AI opponents.
What is the goal of Gin Rummy?
The goal is to form melds and reduce deadwood, then end the hand by knocking, going Gin, or reaching another valid ending condition.