Introduction to JJ Rummy
JJ Rummy is a fun and strategic card game that combines elements of traditional Rummy with unique twists, making it exciting for both beginners and experienced players. The game is typically played with 2-6 players and uses a standard 52-card deck (sometimes with jokers as wild cards). The objective is to form valid sets (groups of cards of the same rank) and runs (consecutive cards of the same suit) to score points before your opponents.
How to Play JJ Rummy
Setup
Each player is dealt a set number of cards (usually 10-13, depending on house rules).
The remaining cards form the draw pile, and the top card is placed face-up to start the discard pile.
Gameplay
On their turn, a player must:
Draw – Pick a card from either the draw pile or the discard pile.
Meld (Optional) – Lay down valid sets/runs (e.g., three 7s ♥♦♠ or 5-6-7 of ♣).
Discard – End their turn by placing one card face-up on the discard pile.
Players can also "lay off" cards by adding to existing melds (theirs or opponents').
Winning the Game
The first player to "go out" (discard their last card after melding) wins the round.
Opponents tally points from their remaining cards (face cards = 10, Aces = 1 or 11, number cards = face value).
The game continues over multiple rounds until a player reaches a pre-set score (e.g., 500 points) or has the lowest total.
Special JJ Rummy Rules (Variations)
Some versions allow "buying" a discarded card out of turn.
Jokers may act as wild cards.
A player must declare "Rummy!" if they discard their last card without melding (risk/reward scoring).