Rummy card game rules
There are many types of the card game rummy such as Gin Rummy, Oklahoma Gin, Michigan Rummy, Contract Rummy, Rummy 500, Samba, Boliva, Pennies from heaven, and more. Rummy is a generic term for the rummy family of games. The game could best be described as a matching card game. Another member of the rummy family is Canasta. The Mexican game of Conquian is thought to be ancestral to all rummy games but no one really knows for sure where the game originated. Expect to see more on-line rummy games on the internet in the near future.
Each player tries to dispose of all the cards in their hand. There are three ways to get rid of the cards: melding, laying off and discarding. When a winning player gets rid if his last card, this is called going out. The other players then add up the value of all the remaining cards in their hands. This sum is added to the winners cumulative score. The game continues until a player reaches the designated points target, or when the designated number of deals occurs. This must be agreed upon before play begins.
Two players –
The first dealer is chosen randomly and the deal alternates between the two players. 10 cards are dealt.
Three to four players –
The first dealer is chosen arbitrarly and the following deal rotates clockwise. 7 cards are dealt.
Five to six players –
The first dealer is chosen randomly and the next deal rotates clockwise. 6 cards are dealt.
A standard deck of 52 cards are used –without jokers–: Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen and King. Cards are ranked from low to high in each suit. In some games two decks of cards are used. Numbered cards are face value. The Ace is worth 1 point, King, Queen and Jack worth 10 points each. In some games the ace may rank either high or low.
The players may cut or draw to see who deals. The player that has the lowest card deals first. After the designated player shuffles, the person to his right cuts the cards.
After shuffling, Starting with the player on the dealrs left, card are dealt face down. After all players have their hands, the remaining cards are placed face down on the table, forming the stock. The top card is then turned face up and placed next to the stock to start a discard pile.
You should try to order your hand in a manner to better identify sequences (run), and groups (books).
Sequence or (run) –
Three or more cards of the same suit in increasing value or consecutive order, such as: 
3, 4, 5 or 
9, 10, J, Q.
Group (set) or (book) –
Three or more cards of the same rank such as: 
9, 
9, 9.
Each turn consist of
– Draw, (obligatory)
– Melding, (optional - only if you have a valid group or sequence)
– Laying off, (optional)
– Discard, (obligatory)
Each player in turn, beginning with the player to the left of the dealer draws. The player must drawn from the stock pile or the discard pile. If you choose to draw from the stock pile, you should do it so that others cannot see the contents of your card. If you choose to draw from the discard pile, be aware that all the players can observe your choice as the card is face-up.
From your hand, you place a valid combination of cards face up on the table in front of you. You cannot meld again during your turn.
You can meld with a valid sequence or run. A valid sequence consists of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit such as: 3, 4, 5 or 9, 10, J, Q.
You can also meld with a valid group, set or book. A valid group consists of three or more cards with the same rank, such as: 9, 9, 9. Remember, you are not required to meld just because you can, it is optional.
A player in turn can add additional cards to existing matched set on the table formed by you or others. These additional cards must form another valid meld. For example, if you have a meld of 3, 4, 5 and you have a 2 and 6 in your hand, you can form a new meld of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. By doing so you have expanded your sequence. If you have a group on the table such as: 9, 9, 9, and you have a 9 in your hand, you can form a new meld of 9, 9, 9, 9. You are not permitted too rearrange the melds on the table, that is take a card from one meld and add it to another.
When your turn ends, you are required to discard one card, placing it face up on the discard pile. If you drew a card from the discard pile in this turn, you cannot discard that card during the same turn. If you draw a card from the stock pile you are allowed to discard that one on the same turn.
A player goes rummy, and wins by getting rid of all of the cards he holds in his hand. This can be done by either, melding, laying off or discarding. Getting rid of all of your cards is called going out. Upon going out, all play ceases.
After the winner goes out the other players add up the value of the cards remaining in their hands. This value is credited to the winner. Cards are valued as follows:
– Numbered cards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, are worth their face value
– Aces are worth 1 point
– Jack, Queen and King are worth 10 points
The game continues until the agreed method of termination is reached.
The software engineers who design online rummy games try to keep the game as life-like as possible. In doing so they try to design a game that emulates the real world rummy. Sometimes normal rules may have to be changed slightly for virtual rummy. There are some helpful things about online rummy that you don't have with the table game such as automatic card arranging.
One thing is certain, if you enjoy rummy you will really enjoy online rummy. 
