Basic Rummy, also called Straight Rummy, is the small, flexible baseline of the Rummy family. It is not German Rommé: this version uses one deck, no jokers and no 40-point opening meld.
Goal and setup
Be first to empty your hand by making sets, making runs, adding cards to melds already on the table and discarding.
Use one ordinary 52-card deck without jokers.
| Players | Cards each |
|---|---|
| 2 | 10 |
| 3–4 | 7 |
| 5–6 | 6 |
Put the rest face down as the stock and turn one card face up beside it as the discard pile.
The two legal melds
Set = at least 3 cards of the same rank
Run = at least 3 consecutive cards of one suit
4♣ 5♦ 6♣ mixes suits. 4♣ 6♣ 7♣ has a gap. Neither is a run.
Your turn
-
Draw
Take the stock’s top card or the top face-up discard.
-
Meld
Optionally place one complete set or run.
-
Lay off
Optionally add fitting cards to table melds.
-
Discard
Place one card face up to end your turn.
Laying off
You may extend any meld on the table without rearranging it. Add 3♣ or 7♣ to 4♣ 5♣ 6♣, or add the missing fourth suit to a three-card set.
Moving cards between melds belongs to Robber Rummy, not Basic Rummy.
Going out and scoring
You go out by getting rid of your final card through melding, laying off or discarding. The hand ends immediately.
| Card left | Points |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2–10 | Face value |
| Jack, Queen, King | 10 |
The winner usually receives the value of every opponent’s remaining cards. Some families instead record each player’s penalties and let the lowest total win. Choose one method before play.
Agree these house rules first
- Is the ace low only, or also high?
- May players place one new meld per turn or several?
- Must players meld before laying off?
- Must the final card be discarded?
- Is the discard pile reused when the stock runs out?
Ready for the next branch?
Play Royal Robber Rummy free in your browser and learn its extra table moves while playing.
- Rummy, Pagat.com — Rummy-family rules reference
- Rummy, Wikipedia — Basic/Straight Rummy overview