21 Cards Rummy
21 Cards Rummy is played between 2 to 5 players with 3 standard decks of 53 cards each, which includes one Printed Joker per deck. Check out the following aspects below to understand the game rules:
Gameplay: 21 cards are dealt to each player and a Wild Joker is selected randomly from the deck of cards. Players need to arrange their cards into valid sequences and/or sets by picking a card from the Closed or Open Deck and then discarding one of their hand cards to the Open Deck.
| Drop Points | Mid Drop Points |
|---|---|
| 30 | 70 |
The 21 Card Rummy game rules for Jokers and Value Cards are mentioned below:
Jokers
Printed Joker: can be used as any card, to form sequences and sets.
Jokers:These are special cards that can be used to replace other cards to form sequences and sets. For example, if 5♥ is selected as the Wild Joker, then 5 of all suits can be used to form sequences and sets.
Cut Joker:The specific card which is randomly selected as Wild Joker in the beginning of the game is called as the Cut Joker. For example, if 5♤ is selected randomly as the Wild Joker, then 5♤ will be called as the Cut Joker in 21 Card Rummy.
Upper Joker:The card which is one rank above the Cut Joker and is of the same suit as the Cut Joker is called as the Upper Joker. For example, 6♤ will become the Upper Joker if 5♤ is the Cut Joker.
Lower Joker:The card which is one rank below the Cut Joker and is of the same suit as the Cut Joker is called as the Lower Joker. For example, 4♤ will become the Lower Joker if 5♤ is the Cut Joker.
Value Cards
Value Cards are used in addition to Jokers in the game. They can replace any card to form sequences and sets. There are three different types of Value Cards, which serve special functions:
Value Card Points:
| Value Cards | 1 Card | 2 Cards | 3 Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut Joker | 10 | 30 | 50 |
| Upper Joker | 10 | 30 | 50 |
| Lower Joker | 10 | 30 | 50 |
Marriage
One Cut Joker, one Lower Joker and one Upper Joker of the same suit constitute a marriage. For example, if 5♤ is the Cut Joker, you can have a Marriage in your hand if you have 4♤, 5♤ and 6♤. A player with Marriage in hand gets 100 points from each of the non-dropped player.
Note: If A♥ is the Cut Joker, you can have a Marriage in your hand if you have K♥, A♥ and 2♥.
Marriage Points:
| 1 Marriage | 2 Marriage | 3 Marriage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 100 | 300 | 500 |
Tunnela
A Tunnela, also known as London, is a group of three matching cards of the same rank and of the same suit. For example, 7♥ 7♥ 7♥ is a Tunnela, as all the three cards are of the same rank (7) and of the same suit (♥). A Joker cannot be used with two identical cards to form Tunnela.
A Tunnela is considered as a pure sequence. So, if you have three cards of the same suit and value grouped together, it will be considered as a pure sequence.
Dublee
A Dublee is a group of two matching cards of the same suit and of the same rank. For example, 5♢ 5♢ is a Dublee, as both the cards are of the same rank (5) and of the same suit (♢). A Joker cannot be used with another card to form Tunnela.
How to Win
You need to complete any of the following objectives and then discard one of your hand cards to the Finish Slot to declare your game. The 21 Card Rummy game rules for winning the game are mentioned below:
- 3 Pure Sequences and the remaining cards arranged in sets or sequences
- 3 Tunnelas in separate groups. The rest of the cards need not be arranged in sets or sequences.
- 8 Dublees in separate groups. The rest of the cards need not be arranged in sets or sequences.
- 8 Jokers in a single group. The rest of the cards need not be arranged in sets or sequences.
How to save points, if someone else declares:
- Make minimum 3 Pure Sequences and arrange the rest in sets or sequences. You will lose points only for the cards that are not arranged.
- Make minimum 6 Dublees. You will lose points only for the rest of the cards.
- If you have 6 Dublees AND 3 Pure Sequences, then you will lose points based on the option that causes you to lose fewer points.