How to Play Rummy
Rummy is the parent of a whole family of card games. This is the basic version: collect sets and runs, lay them down, and be first to empty your hand.
The deal
- Two players: ten cards each. Three or four: seven each.
- The rest is the stock, face down, with its top card turned up to start the discard pile.
Your turn
- Draw either the top card of the stock or the top card of the discard pile.
- Play, as much as you like:
- Meld: lay down three or four cards of the same rank, or three or more cards in sequence of one suit (ace low).
- Lay off: add a card to any meld on the table, yours or another player's: a fourth 7 to a set of 7s, the 9♠ to 6-7-8♠.
- Discard one card onto the discard pile. If you took the top discard this turn, you can't discard that same card.
Going out and scoring
The first player to get rid of every card goes out and wins the hand. Each other player adds up the cards left in their hand: ace 1, number cards face value, J Q K 10. The winner scores the total.
If the stock runs out, the discard pile (except its top card) is shuffled to make a new stock.
Playing on kawu
- Play against one, two or three computer players.
- Click cards to select them, then Meld; select one card and click a meld to lay off; select one card and Discard.
- Hint suggests the next action.
Next, read the Rummy strategy guide. For the two-player version with knocking, try Gin Rummy.
Frequently asked questions
Can an ace be high in a run?
On kawu the ace is low only: A-2-3 is a run, Q-K-A is not. That's the most common basic-rummy convention.
Can I lay off on another player's meld?
Yes. Once a meld is on the table anyone can add matching cards to it on their turn, after drawing and before discarding.
Do I have to discard to go out?
No. You go out the moment your last card leaves your hand, whether by melding, laying off or discarding.
Last updated 2026-10-20