Pools Rummy
Of all the rummy variants, Pool Rummy continues to be one of the most popular forms of the game in India. On this page, we will provide you with the rules of Pool Rummy and tell you how this game is to be played.
What is Pool Rummy?
A popular form of the game of rummy in India, Pool Rummy is played between two to six players and needs two or more packs of cards, which must include one printed joker per pack.
Are there different type of games in Pool Rummy?
Yes, typically there are three types of games in Pool Rummy, they are - 101 Pool Rummy, 201 Pool Rummy and Best of 3.
What is the objective of the game in Pool Rummy?
The objective of the game for each player is create sequences and/or sets from the cards they have been dealt. In addition, each player should attempt to score the least number of points as possible, as scoring the least amongst your competitors wins you the game. Please note that players are eliminated from the game once their score reaches 101 or 201 points in 101 or 201 Pool Rummy online, respectively.
What is the prize money in Pool Rummy?
The prize money is the total of the entry fee of all the players. It follows this formula: The Prize Money = Entry Fee Amount X No. of Players
What is the value of each card in Pool Rummy?
Knowing the value or the points that each card carries is important when totalling up a player’s score at the end of the game.
- The value of ‘Face cards’ i.e., the Jack, the King and the Queen is 10 points each.
- The value of an Ace is 10 points
- The value of the Joker (Wild & Printed) is 0 points
- Number cards are worth the same number of points as the number printed on them. For example: ○ 6♥ is worth 6 points ○ 7♦ is worth 7 points
What are the rules of Pool Rummy?
Here are the general Pool Rummy rules:
- Pool Rummy is played between anywhere from two to six players
- To begin, two or more packs of cards (53 cards, including a printed joker) are required
- Each player pays an entry fee which is added up to make the Prize Pool
- The players are then randomly dealt 13 cards each from the combined pack cards from which they are required to make sequences and/or sets using the draw and discard method
- A random card is selected to be the Joker for the game
- In the event that a printed Joker is selected as the “Joker” (as explained in the previous point), then the players can use the Ace cards (of any suit) as Jokers
- A toss decides which player is allowed to make the first move
- The next card from the pack will be placed on the open deck to signal the start of the game
- Scroll down further for specific rules pertaining to 101 Pool Rummy, 201 Pool Rummy and Best of 3.
- The next section will describe how Pool Rummy is to be played
How to play Pool Rummy?
Here’s how the Pool Rummy is played:
- Each player is dealt 13 cards each at the start of the game
- The remaining cards are placed face down on the table
- The first card is placed in the open deck to signal the start of the game
- Each player takes turns in the prescribed order and have to make sequences and/or sets from the cards they have been dealt using the draw and discard method
- When a player’s turn comes up, he or she is required to pick a card from either the closed deck or the open deck.
- If the player picks a card, they must discard one of their cards into the open deck.
- Players should not pick a Joker from the open deck unless it’s the first open card
- If a player discards a Joker, the opponents are not allowed to pick it up
- The picking and discarding of cards must be done in the alloted time.
- If the player does not pick and discard cards in the alloted time, this will be regarded as a missed move.
- Three consecutive missed moves or turns will result in the player dropping out of the game with the middle drop points added to their score. The game then continues with the remaining number of players, however, if only two players remain and one of them drops out, the other is declared the winner.
- The draw and discard play continues till a player makes a declaration or show and waits for all the other players to do so. ○ A valid declaration or show must arrange all 13 cards in valid sequences and /or sets. ○ There must be a minimum of two sequences, of which, at least one must be a pure sequence ○ A player is required to show jokers in hand as part of sequences or sets
- If a player doesn’t show or declare in the allotted time, they will be dropped from the game and awarded 80 points.
- In case the cards in the closed deck have been exhausted, the open deck is then reshuffled and used as the closed deck. Please note: that the card which was placed face up in the open deck will be excluded from this.
- The specific rules and scoring for each type of Pool Rummy will be described in the following sections
What are the rules of 101 Pool Rummy?
1. The two printed jokers and the randomly selected card (deemed to be the Joker for that game) can be used to play 101 Rummy
2. To win the game you need to have a valid declaration.
a. A valid declaration or show must arrange all 13 cards in valid sequences and /or sets.
b. There must be a minimum of two sequences, of which, at least one must be a pure sequence
c. The remaining cards should be arranged in sequences or sets of three or four cards
3. The player with a valid declaration scores 0 points
4. For all the other players, the cards unused in valid sequences or sets will be totalled up to determine their score
5. Drop Points penalty:
a. First Drop - 20 points
b. Middle Drop - 40 points
6. A Full Count is capped at 80 points
7. Each player's score is calculated at the end of each deal
8. Once a player’s score hits 101 or more, they are out of the game
9. The player with the lowest points total or score at the end of all the games is the winner
10. A player could rejoin the game if no other player has more than 79 points.
What are the rules of 201 Pool Rummy?
1. The two printed jokers and the randomly selected card (deemed to be the Joker for that game) can be used to play 201 Rummy
2. To win the game you need to have a valid declaration
a. A valid declaration or show must arrange all 13 cards in valid sequences and /or sets.
b. There must be a minimum of two sequences, of which, at least one must be a pure sequence
c. The remaining cards should be arranged in sequences or sets of three or four cards
3. The player with a valid declaration scores 0 points
4. For all the other players, the cards unused in valid sequences or sets will be totalled up to determine their score
5. Drop Points penalty:
a. First Drop - 25 points
b. Middle Drop - 50 points
6. A Full Count is capped at 80 points
7. Each player's score is calculated at the end of each deal
8. Once a player’s score reaches 201 or more, they are out of the game
9. The player with the lowest points total or score at the end of all the games is the winner
10. A player could rejoin the game if no other player has more than 174 points
What are the rules of Best of Three Rummy?
1. All players must take part in all three rounds
2. There is no drop out option in Best of Three Rummy
3. If scores are tied at the end of three rounds a fourth round will be played to decide the winner
4. A third round will not be played if the difference in scores of two players exceeds 80 (at the end of round two). In such a case, the player will the lower score will be declared as the winner
5. Two printed jokers and the randomly selected card (deemed to be the Joker for that game) can be used to play
6. The player with a valid declaration scores 0 points
7. To win the game you need to have a valid declaration
a. A valid declaration or show must arrange all 13 cards in valid sequences and /or sets.
b. There must be a minimum of two sequences, of which, at least one must be a pure sequence
c. The remaining cards should be arranged in sequences or sets of three or four cards
8. For all the other players, cards not used in valid sequences or sets will be totalled up to determine their score
9. A Full Count is capped at 80 points
10. The player with the lowest points total or score at the end of all the games is the winner
11. Best of Three Rummy does not provide a rejoin option
