Play Rummy 500
Rummy 500 is a fun and relaxing version of the card game Rummy. In this game, points are scored by “melding;” that is, by laying down certain combinations of cards from your hand. Rummy 500 is played over multiple rounds, and the game is complete when one player reaches 500 points. This game can be played by 2 to 8 people, and is a great option for parties. By taking some time to set things up, making sure you understand the objectives, and executing the rules of play, you will soon become an expert at Rummy 500.
Contents
Steps
Setting Up
- Gather materials. In order to play Rummy 500, you are going to need a few simple materials. You will also need 2 to 8 players (including yourself). Gather your friends, plus a standard deck of cards (with two Jokers), a pen or pencil, and some paper.
- Shuffle your cards. “Shuffling” is just a fancy way to say “mixing up the cards.” The most effective shuffling method is known as the “riffle shuffle,” but you can try any method that works for you. Chances are, at least one person you’re playing with is good at shuffling.
- Try the “riffle shuffle” by dividing the deck in half, bending each half in each of your hands, and “riffling” the two halves together.
- You may also try an “overhand shuffle” or a “Hindu shuffle.”
- Deal Playing Cards. Start by selecting one player to be the dealer for the first round. The first round will begin with the person to the left of the dealer. During the next round, the player who went first will deal, and the person to the left of them will begin. The dealer will deal the cards by placing one card face down in front of each player, moving clockwise, until the right number of cards have been distributed to each person. The dealer always deals to their self last.
- In a game with 3 or more players, each player will receive 7 cards.
- In a game with only 2 players, each player will receive 13 cards.
- Create a “stock pile." The remaining cards will be placed in a pile in the center of the table. This is called the “stock pile” because it is where players will draw cards at the beginning of each turn. Be sure to position the stock pile in a place where all players can reach it.
- This is sometimes called a “draw pile.”
Understanding the Objectives
- Learn the objective. The objective of Rummy 500 is to lay down sets of 3 of more cards. These can be matched sets of 3-4 cards (such as Queens, 5s, 2s, etc.), and/or sequences of 3 or more cards in the same suit (such as the 4, 5, and 6 of spades). The round is finished when one player uses all of their cards or the stock pile runs out. All points are then tallied.
- These groups of 3 or more cards are called “melds.”
- Additionally, players can lay down 1-2 cards that match with existing melds on the table. (For example, if one player has a meld of 3 Aces, another player can lay down the fourth Ace.)
- Jokers are used as wildcards, and can represent any card a player wants.
- Understand card values. Whenever cards are laid down in these patterns, they accrue points. To win Rummy 500, one player must reach 500 points, over multiple rounds of play. Card values are as follows:
- All face cards are worth 10 points.
- Aces count as 15 points when used “high.”
- Jokers (used as wildcards) are worth 15 points.
- All other cards (Ace low – 9) are worth their value (e.g., the 6 of hearts is worth 6 points.)
- You may choose to have all cards A-9 worth 5 points, to simplify the scoring system.
- Scoring the game. When one player uses all of their cards, the round ends and points are tallied up. Players who still have cards in their hands tally the value of those cards, and then subtract that amount from their score for that round. Alternatively, if the stock pile runs out of cards, the round ends, but players do not subtract the value of their hands.
- For example, if the value of a players hand equals 70 points, and the value of what they have laid down equals 100 points, they will earn 30 points for that round.
- If a player loses more points from their hand than they have earned in the round, the negative value will be subtracted from their overall score.
- Learning additional rules. There are some additional, optional rules that you may like to use. Be sure to discuss these rules and accept or reject them before you begin game play.
- 30 points rule: This rule states that players must earn at least 30 points in one round before they are able to add points to their overall score. Once players are on “on the board,” any point value can count.
- Boathouse rule: This rule states that players must discard on every turn, including the one in which they “go out.”
- Stock pile re-fill rule: In standard Rummy 500, when the stock pile runs out of cards, the round ends. However, some players instead choose to reshuffle the stock pile and continue playing until one player goes out.
- Rummy rule: This rule states that any time a player discards a card that could meld with an existing set on the table, the first player to call out “Rummy” gets to take that card and lay it in front of them (earning that card’s score).
Playing the Game
- Draw a card from the “stock pile.” Begin each round with the player to the left of the dealer, and continue play clockwise. Each player’s turn begins by them picking up the top card from the stock pile and placing it in their hand.
- Draw a card from the discard pile. Another option is for a player to pick up a card from the discard pile. The discard pile should be spread out, so that each card is visible. Rather than choosing a face-down card from the stock pile, a player may select a card that they can use from the discard pile. But there are a few rules when drawing a card from the discard pile:
- The player must pick up all cards on top of the card they want.
- The player must use the bottom card to create a meld during that turn.
- The remaining cards may either be melded during that turn, or added to the player’s hand.
- Lay down any “melds.” After a player picks up a card (or cards), they can lay down any melds from their hand. This includes 3-4 matching cards, such as 3 Aces, 4 Jacks, or 3 2s. This also includes 3 or more sequential cards of the same suit, such as the 10, Jack, and Queen of hearts. Finally, this can include additions to any meld already on the table. For instance, if 3 10s are already melded on the table, a player possessing the 4th 10 could lay it down during their turn.
- Discard. Each player’s turn ends when they place a card down on the discard pile. All melds must be completed before this is done. Once a discard is placed, play moves on to the next player. A discard cannot be taken back.
- Keep playing until one player reaches 500 points. After each round, the scores are tallied and written down. Continue playing rounds in this fashion until one player reaches 500. If more than one player surpasses 500 during the same round, the player with the highest score wins.
Tips
- The same rules that apply to 500 Rummy, also apply to just regular "Rummy". The only difference is that with 500 Rummy, you keep score, and that the game ends when one player reaches at least 500 points.
- If playing Rummy 500 with 5 or more players, you may choose to use two decks of cards. Shuffle them together thoroughly before dealing.
Things You'll Need
- One standard deck of cards, including two Jokers
- Pencil or pen
- Paper
- 2-8 players
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