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1. Progressive Rummy Card
2. Play Progressive Rummy
3. Shanghai Card Game Score Sheet
4. Progressive Rummy Variations
5. Progressive Rummy Phases
6. Progressive Rummy Game

• Progressive rummy As you can probably tell my website is on a beloved card game of me and my family. We love this game soooo much that we play it every chance we can.
• Deals Rummy: This variant is played for a fixed number of deals and the winner of a deal has zero points. Pool Rummy:It is the longest format of Indian Rummy that lasts for several deals. Players whose score reaches 101 points (in 101 pool) or 201 points (in 201 pool) get eliminated.

Ultimate Guide to Rummy (aka 'Rum')

Rummy is one of the most popular classic card games in the world. Often referred to as 'basic rummy” or 'traditional rummy,” or just 'Rum,' it's easy to learn and play once you get the hang of it. Though it's a simple game, playing rummy is exciting and there's a decent amount of skill involved.

Progressive Rummy; Pay Me! Gin rummy: a popular version of rummy played with two people. Often confused with traditional rummy. Go out: To get rid of the last card in your hand, to win and end a round. Go rummy: Going out in a single turn by melding or laying off an entire hand. Group: 3 or 4 same-ranking cards. Example: 10 of spades, 10 of diamonds and 10 of hearts.

How to Play Rummy: Rules & More

Players and Decks

Rummy is played with 2-6 players. It is played with a standard 52-card deck and aces are low.

Dealing

Players take turns dealing when playing a two-player game. When playing with three or more players, whose turn it is to deal rotates clockwise every round. The player who deals first is chosen at random and how many cards dealt to each player depends on the total number of players.

• 2 players: 10 cards each
• 3-4 players: 7 cards each
• 5-6 players: 6 cards each

The dealer deals cards one by one then begins the discard pile by placing the following card face-up in the middle of the table. The dealer then places the rest of the deck face down next to it, forming the stock. Players then are permitted to look at their cards and sort them.

Goal

The goal of Rummy is simple: get rid of all your cards first.

Players can rid their hand of cards in three ways: they can meld, lay off, and discard.

• To meld, a player takes multiple cards from his or her hand and places them face-up on the table. That combination of cards then stays there. Melding is the quickest way to get rid of cards.
• Sets (sometimes called groups or books) and runs (sometimes called sequences) are the two valid types of melds in Rummy.
• A set, book or group is 3 or 4 same-ranking cards.
• Example: 10 of spades, 10 of diamonds and 10 of hearts
• Example: 6 of clubs, 6 of spades, 6 of diamonds, and 6 of hearts
• A run or sequence is 3+ consecutive cards of a matching suit. Consecutive cards of different suits do not constitute a valid sequence.
• Example: 3 of spades, 4 of spades, and 5 of spades
• Example: 9 of hearts, 10 of hearts, Jack of hearts, and Queen of hearts.
• To lay off, add cards in your hand to already-existing melds.
• Example: To a set of a 10 of spades, 10 of diamonds and 10 of hearts, a player could add a 10 of clubs.
• Example: To a run of a 3 of spades, 4 of spades, and 5 of spades, a player could add a 2 of spades to the beginning or a 6 of spades to the end.
• However, players may not rearrange any melds as they lay off.
• Example: If a set of the 6 of clubs, 6 of spades, 6 of diamonds, and 6 of hearts and a run of the 3 of spades, 4 of spades, and 5 of spades are both on the table, a player couldn't move the 6 of spades from the set to the run in order to lay down a 7 of spades.
• To discard, put one of your cards in your hand face-up on the discard pile. Players signal the end of every turn by getting rid of a card in this way.

Once a player has laid down all of his or her cards, the other player's cards are totaled up and added to the previous round's total. The rounds continue in this manner until one player reaches or goes over a target score and the rummy game is over. Then, the player with the lowest score wins.

Play

Players take turns, rotating clockwise, starting with the person to the left of the dealer. In a two-player game, players alternate turns.

Each turn includes the following, in this order:

1. Drawing. Each player must start his or her turn by adding a card to his or her hand. Players can choose to take the first card from the discard pile or the stock pile.
2. Melding. After beginning his or her turn by drawing a card, a player may lay a valid set or run down if he or she has one. Players can only put down one meld per turn (see Variations of Play). (Melding is optional)
3. Laying off. After melding, players can add on to runs or sets already melded by any player. Players can lay off as many cards per turn as they'd like. Laying off is optional as well.
4. Discarding. To signal that his or her turn is over, a player must discard a card from his or her hand to the discard pile. If a player picked up the card from the discard pile at the beginning of his or her turn, that player may not discard the same card in the same turn.

When the stock runs out, the discard pile is shuffled, turned face-down and the top card is turned face up next to it. Play continues. (See Variations of Play for alternate practices)

The round immediately ends when a player gets rid of all cards in his or her hand, or 'goes out.” That player wins the round.

Scoring

Once the round ends with a player going out, total up the other players' cards as follows:

• Kings, Queens, Jacks, and 10s: 10 points
• Number cards: face value
• Aces: 1 point

The total value of the cards left in each losing player's hand is recorded and added to the previous round's total. The points are penalty points.

When any player reaches a previously agreed upon target score (often 100), the player with the lowest score wins. (See Variations of Play for other scoring options)

Strategy

Here are some tips and tricks for how to win Rummy:

• Get rid of face cards and other high-value cards. If you can, do so early on in the game. If not, at least do so towards the end when you notice that your opponent is about to run out of cards. This means you'll run your own score up less.
• Mathematically, it's easier to make a run than it is to get 3 of a kind. So if you're forced to discard either a card that could later form a run or one that could be part of a set, it's better to discard one that could later form a set.
• Pay attention to what your opponent does. If he or she grabs a 10 of spades from the deck, you can bet that they probably either have a 10 already or are trying to complete a run of spades. Do your best to block them from getting rid of their cards!
• Keep in mind that a run can have more than 3 cards in a row. Sometimes, the best way to get rid of cards fast is to form a 5- or 6-card run.

These are just the basics. For more in depth strategy of Rummy, check out White Knuckle.

Variations of Rummy

Looking to mix things up a bit? Here are some alternative house rules you can use. Be sure to discuss and decide upon any variations among fellow players before starting a game.

Set Number of Rounds

Instead of playing to a target score, players can decide to play to a set number of rounds. In this case, the player with the least amount of points after the set number of hands is the winner.

More than One Meld

Some play that players are allowed to lay down any number of melds during each turn. This is a very common variation; be sure that all players are on the same page about how many melds can be played during each turn before beginning a game.

Many also give a player bonus points if he or she goes out in one turn or 'going rummy,” as they call it. When a player 'goes rummy,' the hand's score is doubled.

Laying Off Before Melding

Some don't allow a player to lay off cards until he or she has laid down a meld. This is also a very common variation.

Aces High

The standard rules dictate that aces are only low. Hence, a run of Ace, 2, 3 would count, but a run of Queen, King, Ace wouldn't. Some let aces count as either low or high. When this rule is implemented, aces count for 15 points rather than 1 point, since they're more useful.

Even when this rule is implemented, aces can't be both high and low at the same time, such as in a King, Ace, 2 run. (Some allow these sort of runs, but it's rare)

Jokers

Standard Rummy doesn't use jokers. Some play that jokers can be used as wild cards that can replace any other card to form sets and sequences. When this rule is implemented, jokers are valued at 15 points and can be used by other players once they're on the table.

Discard Last

Some require players to discard a card even at the end of their last turn. Playing with this rule, a player wouldn't be permitted to meld or lay off all of his or her cards since he or she couldn't finish by discarding one.

Reusing Discard Pile

In old rummy rules, the discard pile isn't supposed to be shuffled before being reused as stock. However, this version of play isn't very fair because without a shuffle, any player who can memorize the discarded cards in order will have a clear advantage. Due to this, most card game books now recommend shuffling the pile before continuing play.

In both instances, using the discard pile as new stock over and over has other disadvantages. If each player hoards cards that other players want, each player could draw from the pile and discard the card he or she just drew. Theoretically, this sort of game could go on forever. To avoid that sort of repetition, players might consider limiting how many times they reshuffle the discard pile per round.

The discard pile is never reused In a variation of rummy called block rummy. Once the stock pile runs out, the game is over and all players score their remaining cards.

Scoring

In a common variation of traditional rummy, only the winner scores points after each round. The winner then gets the total number of points from all the cards in the hands of the losing players. When playing this way, the game still ends once a player reaches a target score. The player who reaches it wins the game.

Others play that the winner wins real cash from the losers according to how many points they each have in his or her hand. When playing this way, the game would end after an agreed-upon number of rounds instead of once a certain score is reached.

Glossary of Terms

Block rummy: a variation of rummy in which the discard pile is never reused

Book: 3 or 4 same-ranking cards. Example: 10 of spades, 10 of diamonds and 10 of hearts. One of two types of melds in rummy. Also called a group or set.

Discard: to play a card from your hand on top of the discard pile, signaling the end of a turn.

Gin rummy: a popular version of rummy played with two people. Often confused with traditional rummy.

Go out: To get rid of the last card in your hand, to win and end a round

Go rummy: Going out in a single turn by melding or laying off an entire hand.

Group: 3 or 4 same-ranking cards. Example: 10 of spades, 10 of diamonds and 10 of hearts. One of two types of melds in Rummy. Also called a book or set.

Indian rummy: a popular version of rummy from India played with two decks and wild cards.

Lay off: to add one or more cards from your hand to an already-existing meld

Meld: to place multiple cards from your hand face-up on the table. There are two types of acceptable melds in rummy: sets (also called books and groups) and runs (also called sequences).

Rummy 500: a popular version of rummy in which players play to 500 and score according to cards showing and cards in hand

Run: 3+ consecutive cards of a matching suit. Example: 3 of spades, 4 of spades, and 5 of spades. Also called a sequence.

Sequence: 3+ consecutive cards of a matching suit. Example: 3 of spades, 4 of spades, and 5 of spades. Also called a run.

Set: 3 or 4 same-ranking cards. Example: 10 of spades, 10 of diamonds and 10 of hearts. One of two types of melds in Rummy. Also called a book or group.

Stock: the face-down pile from which players can draw a card at the beginning of each turn

If you get bored here, we have plenty of other games to play! Maybe go play the card game hearts or the card game spades or the card game solitaire!

This page is partly based on contributions from Magnus and Greg Petras.

Introduction

Contract Rummy is a version of Rummy consisting of a series of rounds. In each round there is a different contract: players have to collect a particular combination of groups and sequences before they are allowed to meld. The contracts become progressively more demanding on each deal.

Alternative Names and Variants

This page describes several games which are so similar that they can almost be regarded as variations of or alternative names for the same game. They are:

The original game of the group was Zioncheck, invented by Ruth Armson in the 1930's, which had just six contracts.

Links to several other web pages with rules of various Contract Rummy games can be found at the end of this page.

Contract Rummy

This description is based on a contribution from Magnus.

Players

The game is best played by three to five players; the optimum number is four.

Cards

Contract Rummy is played with two standard decks of 52 cards, plus jokers.The number of jokers used should be one fewer than the number of players, sothree players play with 106 cards, four players with 107 and five with 108.

The Deal

There are seven rounds altogether. The first dealer is chosen randomly, and thereafter the turn to deal rotates clockwise. The deal itself is clockwise, one card at a time. In the first three rounds, the players receive 10 cards each; in the last four they receive 12 cards each.

The cards remaining after the deal are placed face down on the table to form thestock pile, the top card of which is turned face up and placed alongsideto start the discard pile.

Object of the Game

The object of each round is to dispose of all your cards by acombination of melding, laying off, and discarding. In order to do anymelding or laying off, you must begin by fulfilling your contract for the round currently being played.

There are two kind of melds, sequences (also called runs) and groups (also called sets or books).

• A sequence or run, in this game, consists of at least four consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 4 5 6 7. An ace can count as low or high but not both at the same time. So A 2 3 4 and J Q K A are both valid sequences, but Q K A 2 is not valid.
• A group, set or book consists three cards of the same rank, irrespective of suit, such as 5 5 5.

Once it has been melded, a sequence can be extended by adding further consecutive cards at either end, as far as the ace in either direction; the longest theoretically possible sequence being 14 cards long with an ace at each end. A group can be extended by adding further equal ranking cards.

When a player goes out, by disposing of all their cards, the other players score penaltypoints for all the cards remaining in their hands. The object of the game is to be the player with the lowest score at the end of the series of seven rounds.

The Contracts

The contracts in each successive round are as the following.

1. Two Groups of 3 (6 cards)
2. One Group of 3 and One Sequence of 4 (7 cards)
3. Two Sequences of 4 (8 cards)
4. Three Groups of 3 (9 cards)
5. Two Groups of 3 and One Sequence of 4 (10 cards)
6. One Group of 3 and Two Sequences of 4 (11 cards)
7. Three Sequences of 4 and No Discard (explained later)

The Play

The player to dealer's left takes the first turn. A turn consists of:

Progressive Rummy Card

1. The Draw

The player must either draw the top card of the stock pileor take the top card of the discard pile. A player who chooses to draw a card from thestock pile must first give any other player who wishes the opportunity to take thediscard (see below).

2. Melding

The player may place groups or sequences from hand face up on the table. This can only be done once by each player during each round. When melding, you mustlay down exactly the combination of groups or sequences which is required by the contract for the round you are in. For example, you cannot lay down one group if you need two, or if you need asequence also. When you meld, you can only meld the minimum number of cards required. For example if you have a sequence of a greater number of cards than four, or a group of more than three, you must wait until your next turn before you can lay off the additional cards.Melding is optional - you are not required to meld as soon as you are able to.

3. Laying off.

Laying off is adding cards to groups or sequences which have already been melded - both your own and those melded by your opponents. You may lay off only if you have already melded in some previous turn of the current round. You may not lay off before or on the same turn in which you meld. There is no limit as to how many cards you may lay off in one turn. Laying off is optional - you are never obliged to lay off cardsif you do not wish to.

4. The Discard.

At the end of your turn, you must discard one card from your hand and placed it face up on top of the discard pile (except at the end of round 7 - see below).

Play continues with players taking turns clockwise around the table until one person has got rid of all the cards from their hand.

It can occasionally happen that the stock pile runs out of cards. If a player wishes to draw a card when there are no cards left in the stock pile, then you take all the cards of the discard pile except the top one, shuffle them together, and place them face down to make a new stock. The top card of the old discard pile remains face up to start the new discard pile. Play then continues as before.

If there are a lot of 'May I?'s (see below), it is just conceivable that both the stock pile and the discard pile might run out of cards. In that case the play ends. There is no winner and everyone scores penalty points according to the cards that they have in their hands (see scoring).

Taking the Discard Out of Turn (the 'May I?')

Play Progressive Rummy

If at the start of your turn you choose to draw from the stock rather than take the discard, any player who desires the card on the top of the discard pile may ask for it (hence the name 'May I?' of the version described later). If several people want the discard, it goes to the earliest in turn to play after the person who is about to draw from the stock. The player who takes the discard in this way must take in addition the top card from the stock as a penalty card.

After someone has taken the discard out of turn, it is possible for a different player to take the next card of the discard pile in the same way, also taking a penalty card from the stock pile along with it. There is no limit as to how many times this can be done, but the same player is not allowed to take two successive cards from the discard pile in this way.

Only when the other players have had the opportunity to take any cards they want from the top of the discard pile does the person who was about to play draw from the stock and continue their turn. Note that the play resumes from its original point - the turn to play does not jump to the person who takes the discard.

Note also that if the player whose turn it is to play wishes to take the card at the top of the discard pile they may do so, without taking a penalty card from the stock pile, and no one else then has the chance to take any discards.

Jokers

Jokers may be used in either sequences or groups, to substitute for any missing card.

If a joker is played in a sequence, any player who has the card which the joker is representing, and who has already melded their contract on a previous turn, may, during the laying off phase of their turn to play, take the joker, replacing it in the meld with the card it represents. Any joker gained in this manner must be laid off in the current turn - it cannot be saved for play in a later turn.

Jokers played as part of a group are considered 'dead'; they cannot be reclaimed and played elsewhere.

Special Rules for Particular Rounds

Rounds 1,2,3

Dealer deals 10 Cards.

Rounds 4,5,6,7

Dealer Deals 12 Cards.

Rounds 3,6,7

In rounds in which the contract requires multiple sequences, you are not allowed to meld two sequences in the same suit which are contiguous. For example 3 4 5 6 and 7 8 9 10 are not acceptable as two sequences in a contract. To be valid, sequences in the same suit must either have a gap between them or overlap. The following are valid as a pair of sequences:

• 3 4 5 6 and 5 6 7 8
• 3 4 5 6 and 8 9 10 J

The above restriction applies only to sequences melded by a single player as part of a contract. You are allowed to meld a sequence which is contiguous with a sequence melded by a different player, and it does not matter if your sequences which were originally separated by a gap become contiguous as a result of cards laid off by yourself or another player.

Round 7

In the final round, you must meld all your cards at once. In this round only, the sequences you meld are allowed to be longer than four cards - in fact one of them will have to be longer, as you have at least 13 cards after drawing. As you have melded all your cards, there is no discard - play ends immediately after the meld.

Scoring

When someone goes out by getting rid of all their cards, play ends and the other players score penalty points for all the cards remaining in their hands, the cards scoring as follows:

Face cards (K,Q,J)	10 Points
Ace	15 Points
Joker	15 Points
Number Cards are worth their spot (index) value.

At the end of the seventh and last round, the player with the lowest total score wins.

Variation

The game can be played without jokers.

Liverpool Rummy

Paul Welty reports that Liverpool Rummy is the same as Contract Rummy, except that the player to the right of the dealer must cut the deck before the deal. If this player manages to cut the exact number of cards required to deal the hand and leave a face-up card, then the cutting player's score is reduced by 50 points (which is good).

May I?

This is related to Contract Rummy, described above, but according to Greg Petras there are the following differences:

1. In 'May-I?', one deck of cards is used per 2 people playing, including both jokers from each deck of cards.
2. The sequences or groups in your initial meld can contain more than the minimum number of cards. For example, in round 3, if you have, say, 3-4-5-6-7 and 2-3-4-5-6-7, you may lay down all of these cards at once in your melding turn. You do not have to put down, for example, just 3-4-5-6 and 2-3-4-5 first and then wait until your next turn to then to lay off the left over 7 and 6-7. The same applies to groups - the initial meld may have as many cards as you like (minimum 3) of the same rank.
3. Jokers which have been melded cannot be reused. For example, if someone has put down a sequence 3-4-joker-6, and you have the 5 of that suit, you may not take the joker out in exchange for your 5.
4. In the rounds where the contract has more than one sequence (rounds 3, 6, and 7)there is no prohibition against contiguous sequences. For example it is acceptable to meld 3-4-5-6 and 7-8-9-10 of the same suit as two sequences.
5. The special rules for round 7 do not apply. The player melding may have more than 12 cards: if they have said 'May-I?' during that round they will have two extra cards in their hand for each 'May-I?' they said. It is not necessary to use all the cards in your hand in your 3 sequences, and if the player melding has cards left over, then play continues as in other rounds.
6. The Joker is worth 25 points, not 15 points.

Shanghai Rummy

There are several versions of Shanghai Rummy. There is also a rummy game known to some people as Shanghai, which is not a contract game, but a type of Carousel or Manipulation rummy - this will be found on the Carousel page.

The description below has been put together mainly from a description by Mark Allen Davis, with variations supplied by Tahelia Powe and Deb Kolsov.

Shanghai Card Game Score Sheet

The basic rules are as in Contract Rummy; the description below concentrates on the differences.

Players, Cards, Deal and Contracts

The game is for 3 to 5 players. The game is played with two standard decks including four jokers (108 cards). As in Contract Rummy, 11 cards are dealt to each player and there are seven contracts:

1. two books
2. one book, one run
3. two runs
4. three books
5. two books, one run
6. one book, two runs
7. three runs with no discard

Melding Rules

In a run, aces are high only. A-2-3-4 is not a run. When putting down runs, consecutive runs in the same suit (such as 6-7-8-9 and 10-J-Q-K) cannot be put down by the same player in the initial meld. Runs can, however, become consecutive later, when they are extended by adding extra cards.

A player cannot put down two books of the same rank - six eights do not make two books.

A joker can be used in a meld as a substitute for a missing card. A book or run cannot contain more than one joker (but a player can meld more than one joker provided that they are used in different books or runs).

Further cards can be added to your initial meld and to other players melds in the same turn that the initial meld is laid down or in later turns.

The 'May I?'

Each player can take the discard out of turn at most two times in each round. It is convenient to use pennies or other tokens to keep track of this. The player who wants the discard must also take the top two cards from the face down stock, and does not meld or discard. Play then reverts to the person whose turn was interrupted.

You can only take the discard by a 'May I?' if the player whose turn it is does not want it. If more than one player wants to 'May I?' the same card, the one whose turn to play would be sooner has priority.

The Shanghai

This occurs when a card is discarded which could be added to one of the melds that is already on the table. There are two situations:

1. If you deliberately discard a card which could be added to an existing meld, you can call 'Shanghai' as you discard it. This prevents it from being picked up by the next player or being 'May I?'d in that player's turn. This can happen, for example, when you have not yet made your initial meld, but wish to get rid of a card from your hand which happens to fit one of the other players' melds.
2. If you discard a card which could be added to an existing meld without calling Shanghai, then any other player (even a player who has not yet put down their contract) may call 'Shanghai', and add the discard to a meld. The calling player then offers their hand to you face down, and you must draw a card from it and place it in your own hand. The player to your left then takes their turn as normal.

Note that a 'Shanghai' takes precedence over a 'May I?'. If a player calls 'Shanghai' to protect a discard or to take a discard and add it to a meld on the table, this stops any other player taking that card with a 'May I?' on that turn.

The Scoring

The penalty points for cards remaining in players' hands when someone goes out are as follows:

2 - 7	5 points each
8 - K	10 points each
aces	20 points each
jokers	50 points each

Variations

Tahelia Powe's version has the following differences:

1. Only 10 cards are dealt to each player.
2. There is an additional contract of 4 books of 3 inserted at the seventh deal; on the eighth and last deal you need three runs of 4.
3. When going out, you are never allowed to discard; all the cards from your hand must be played on the table.
4. A player cannot meld more than one run in the same suit.
5. 'May I?'s are called buys.
6. There is no Shanghai.

Deb Kolsov's version has a different sequence of contracts:

1. two sets of 3
2. set of 3, run of 4
3. two runs of 4
4. three sets of 3
5. set of 3, run of 7
6. two sets of 3, run of 5
7. three runs of 4
8. set of 3, run of 10
9. three sets of 3, run of 5
10. three runs of 5

Progressive Rummy

This section is based on a contribution from John Eveleigh

Unless otherwise stated the rules are the same as for Contract Rummy.

Players, Cards, Deal and Contracts

Two packs of cards are used, with 4 jokers (108 cards in all). 11 cards are dealt to each player.

There are fifteen contracts; the sequence is as follows:

ROUND	CONTRACT	BUYING
1	2 sets of 3
2	1 set of 3 and 1 run of 4
3	2 sets of 4
4	2 runs of 4
5	2 sets of 3 and 1 run of 4
6	1 set of 4 and 1 run of 5
7	2 sets of 5
8	2 runs of 5
9	4 sets of 3	BUY 1
10	3 runs of 4	BUY 1
11	3 sets of 4	BUY 1
12	5 runs of 3	BUY 2 and TAKE 2
13	5 sets of 3	BUY 2 and TAKE 2
14	1 set of 5, 1 run of 5 and 1 pair	BUY 1
15	2 sets of 3 and 1 run of 5

Melding Rules

The above table shows the initial meld requirements. Having laid down your initial meld you can add more cards to your own and other players' melds in the same or subsequent turns.

In runs, aces count high or low but not both. J-Q-K-A and A-2-3-4 are allowed but K-A-2-3 is not. There is no rule against a player laying down two consecutive runs in the same suit, such as 3-4-5-6 and 7-8-9-10 of hearts, as separate runs, but once they are on the table separate runs must remain separate - runs cannot be joined or split.

A set can consist of any three or more cards of the same rank - identical cards can be included. A pair (needed for hand 14) is two cards of the same rank. There is no rule against a player melding two sets of the same rank.

Progressive Rummy Variations

Jokers and twos are wild. A set or run may contain any number of wild cards to substitute for missing cards. The player must specify (if it is not clear) whether the meld is a run or a set, the rank of the set, and the rank and suit of a run. Wild cards once melded cannot be moved - a player who holds the real card represented by a melded wild card is not allowed to substitute the real card for the wild card.

Buying

To make up the number of cards required for hands 9-14 it is necessary to 'buy' the face-up card from the discard pile. Each card bought costs one penny, paid to a kitty, and you place the bought card in your hand. In hands 9-11 and 14 you can buy on one occasion during the hand; in hands 12 and 13 you are allowed to buy twice. In hands 12 and 13, at the same time you buy the up-card you also take the next blind card from the face-down stock.

Progressive Rummy Phases

If it is your turn you have the right to buy first if you wish and then take your normal turn. If it is not your turn you have to state that you wish to buy the card. The current player may only stop you if they wish to take (or buy) the card themselves. If several players want to buy the face up card, the one whose next turn to play comes soonest has priority, so any player to your right, up to the current player can opt to buy the card you wanted.

When a card has been bought, the face up card underneath it is then available to be bought.

You can only buy in hands 9-14, and you only get one or two opportunities to buy depending on the hand, as detailed on the score sheet.

Scoring

Play ends when a player 'goes out' by getting rid of all the cards from their hand. This can be done by putting down all the cards in melds or by discarding one's last card. Each of the other players scores penalty points for the cards they are holding:

Wild cards (Jokers and 2s)	20
Aces	15
Picture cards	10
3s to 10s	5

At the end of the 15 deals, the player with the lowest score is the winner, the next lowest is second, etc. The players settle up in pennies according to their position - for example for a four player game the payments are as follows:

• Winner: Receives 12
• 2nd: Pays 2
• 3rd: Pays 4
• 4th: Pays 6

In addition the winner takes all the pennies paid to the kitty for buying cards.

Other schedules of amounts are possible. Also, by prior agreement, the kitty can be split between the winner and second player - two thirds for the winner and one third for second.

Other Contract Rummy web pages

The variation 6-7-8-9-10 - which was played in Pittsburgh in the late 1940's, is described on a web page by Alan Hoyle.

A variation called Continental Rummy is described on an archive copy of Mike Gaston's page.

Rummy.com (archive copy) had rules for Contract Rummy and Russian Rummy.

12-Step Rummy is described on Kate Hanratty's page.

Archive copy of Bill Whitnack's description of a version which he calls Rummy Rummy.

The Contract Rummy pages of Randy Rasa'a Rummy-Games.com site describe several versions.

Rummy.ch is a German language site offering rules for Contract Rummy and many other rummy games, plus strategy articles and reviews of online rummy sites and a forum.

Several games described on other pages of pagat.com are closely related to Contract Rummy but with definite differences.

Software for Contract Rummy

Progressive Rummy Game

Malcolm Bain has written Windows programs for two versions of this game: Contract Rummy and California Rummy. These are available from Card Games Galore.