Rummy Variations

There are numerous variations to Rummy 500. Below a few of the more interesting variations are listed:

Calling Rummy: Players call out “Rummy” when a player discards a card that could be played off of other cards. The player who says “Rummy” gets to play that card to his advantage. Note: A card is considered to be discarded as soon as the player’s hand leaves the card. Also Note: If no one says “Rummy” before the next player discards, the opportunity to do so is lost. It does not matter if the person who calls “Rummy” is up next, he will still get his normal turn AND he gets to play the card that he called “Rummy” on.

Variations in Scoring: To speed up the game or slow it down, there are several variations in scoring:

• All aces are worth 15 points, whether they are “high” or whether they are “low”.
• All aces are worth 25 points.
• High aces are worth 15 points, unless a single player plays all four aces. Then, the player receives 100 points for the sequence.
• Cards 2 through 10 are worth face value. Jacks, Queens and Kings are worth 10 points and Aces and Jokers are worth 15 points. An ace in a sequence with a 2 and a 3 is only worth 1 point.

Joker: Some versions play with the Joker. The Joker is worth 15 points and is considered a wild card. Consequently, it represents any card in a sequence, even if that card has already been played. The player who is using the joker must state which card it represents and it cannot be switched after the statement has been made.

Boathouse Rule Rummy

Boathouse Rule: Players must discard on the turn where he or she goes out. Thus, if a player has two 4’s and draws another 4, he cannot go out until he discards.

Reshuffling the Stock: Usually, if the stock is gone, players can draw from the discard pile only if the want to. If no one wants to draw from the discard pile, the hand is over. OR, in this variation the cards are reshuffled and play continues.

Partnership 500 Rum

Similar to 500 Rummy, except four players are divided into two teams composed of two players. Partners sit across the table from each other. Partners play off of their melds. When the hand is complete, the score is calculated for the partnership. First partnership to 500 wins.

Persian Rummy: Jokers are worth 20 points, and cannot be used in melds or as wild cards, but only as a series of jokers. If a sequence of four cards is laid down at one time, the score is double (points are calculated via face value). For example, four 2s put down together are worth 16 points, but three 2s are only worth 6 points, and the fourth 2 adds only 2 points. 25 additional points can be earned if a player has no cards left in his hand.

Two deals: After two deals the game is over. After each deal the score is calculated and the winner receives an additional 50 points.

Winning: To win you must get rid of all your cards and you must have a cumulative score of 500 or more. Even if you have a score of 500+, you cannot win if you did not get rid of your cards. So, if player ONE goes out and has a score of 520 and player TWO has a score of 580, Player ONE wins.