One of the most popular skills games from India is the Indian Rummy card game. The game is a common choice in most social settings. If you are still not familiar with rules and strategies of rummy card games, you may wonder where to begin learning. Here we have shared a quick guide to help people like you to understand Indian Rummy card game in a jiffy. Read along and know how to.

Get Familiar with the Most Common Terms in Rummy Games

Unless you are familiar with all the terms used in rummy card games, it is impossible to master the strategies and tricks. Here we have shared a list of the most popular terminology:

Sequence

A sequence is the arrangement of cards of the same sign in ascending or descending order of their values. For example, 5,6,7 and 8 of hearts can form a sequence. There are many different types of sequences too. You can make a sequence using just number cards or just picture cards of the same sign. You may also make sequences combining number cards as well as picture cards.

Meld

Meld is an arrangement of cards of the same value but different sign together. For example, 4 of hearts, spades and clubs together form a meld.

Life

Life is the minimum arrangement of cards in rummy games up to which your hand is regarded as a full hand.

Full Hand

Maximum points are counted when the opponent wins before the player completes his life. This is referred to as a full hand in rummy games. The first goal of a rummy player is to prevent the occurrence of a full hand.

Joker

Joker cards present in each deck are used as jokers in rummy games. Apart from these existing jokers, some people also use blanks as jokers. The player next to the dealer pulls a random card from the deck. If he pulls 4 of clubs then all the 4s are treated as pulled out jokers. These cards can be used in place of any other card in a meld or an artificial sequence.

First Drop

When a player quits the rummy card game before the first card is played, it is referred to as first drop. Minimal points are charged in case of first drop.

Second Drop

If a player quits Indian Rummy anytime after the first move is played, it is referred to as second drop. The points charged for second drop are double the points charged in case of first drop.

False Call

If a player calls it rummy before completion of his hand, it is referred to as a false call. The points charged for false call vary based on the variation you are playing.

Common Strategies to Beat Opponents in Rummy Games

As a player of rummy games, you should also be aware of the different strategies that players use to beat their opponents in Indian Rummy. Here we have shared a few of the ace strategies:

Try to understand the meaning of opponent moves

Every move that the opponent plays, conveys some message. A good rummy player is able to understand the message being conveyed. When the opponent disposes a joker, it could imply that the opponent is struggling to complete his pure sequence because he has too many jokers. When the opponent starts disposing low point cards, it could mean that the opponent’s hand is close to completion. You must decide how to arrange your hand. This could also be the time when you must decide to quit or to play.

Focus on completion of life first

Till the life is complete, your hand is regarded as a full hand. That is why a good rummy player first focusses on the completion of life. Once that is done, he may change his focus to reducing points in the hand.

Keep track of points in all the series rummy card games

In series rummy card games, the winner is decided at the end of the series. You need to keep track of points in each round. In rummy, the player should have minimum points in order to win the game. You can choose first drop at the start of the game or second drop half way through the game to prevent loss of points. Practice will help you understand the rummy terminology and rules better.