What is Points Rummy

Points Rummy is one of the fastest formats of 13 card rummy. It is played between 2 to 6 players and has only one deal. The objective is to make the first valid declaration, which is equal to 0 points. Being a quicker variation of the beloved 13 card rummy, Points Rummy offers a thrilling opportunity for players to test their strategic skills to win real rewards in a short span of time.

In this format, each point has a monetary value to it. Your total Buy-In would depend on the maximum points you can lose in a game. For example, let’s say 1 point = ₹0.5, and you can lose a maximum of 80 points in a game. So, your Buy-In would be: ₹0.5 × 80 = ₹40.

On platforms like RummyTime, the Buy-In for Points Rummy starts from as low as ₹0.05 per point and goes up to ₹500 .

To win at a Points rummy game, one has to make a valid declaration, which must have at least 2 sequences (one of which mandatorily has to be pure). The winner gets a cash reward worth all the remaining players’ points.

So, in the end if the combined total of the losing players’ points is 200 and the point value is ₹0.5, the winner would get: ₹0.5 × 200 = ₹100 - platform’s fee. Thus, players should always aim at having the least amount of points at the end of the game to reduce losses.

How to Play and Rules of Points Rummy

A game of Points Rummy follows a standard rummy rules of 13 card format and it is played between 2 to 6 players and uses 2 decks of 52 cards plus printed Jokers.

Toss: One card is dealt to each player at random. The player with the highest-ranking card would go first.

Dealing: The act of distributing cards is called dealing. 13 cards are dealt to each player randomly.

Objective: To make the first valid declaration, or leave the least amount of points possible on the board.

A valid declaration includes at least two sequences, one of which has to be a pure sequence. The rest of the cards can be grouped into sets or sequences.

Once cards are dealt to all players, the remaining cards are placed face down on the table to create the closed deck. Then, the top card from the closed deck is flipped face up as the open deck or discard pile.

Some rules to keep in mind:

• The game Buy-In is fixed in advance–this is the minimum wallet balance one needs to enter a Points Rummy game.
• If you win, no amount gets deducted and the winning amount gets added to the wallet directly. In case a player loses the game, only the amount equivalent to their points are deducted. So, if your Buy-In was ₹0.5 × 80 = ₹40, and you ended with 20 points on the board–₹0.5 × 20 = ₹10 will be deducted from your balance.
• Dropping is a strategic move some players use when they have been dealt a bad hand. If you choose to drop on your first turn, 20 points are added to your score. Dropping midway would add 40 points.
• Penalty on consecutive misses: On RummyTime, missing two consecutive turns is also considered a midway drop. The player drops out of the game and 40 points are added to their total. This setting can be changed on every platform; a player can choose to automatically drop after 3, 4 or even 1 missed turn.
• Making an invalid declaration costs 80 points, which is the maximum amount of points one can lose in any 13 card rummy variations.
• The winner takes the monetary equivalent of the combined total of the remaining players’ points.

How the Score is Calculated in Points Rummy

In Points rummy, the winner of the game is said to have 0 points. The losing players get points equal to the sum total of the values of their ungrouped cards. The values of the cards in the game of rummy are given below:

• Face cards (King, Queen and Jack) and Aces: 10 points each
• Numbered cards (2 to 10): Same as their face value
• Jokers (both printed and wild): 0 points each.

Let’s assume at the end of the game, you have the following hand:

Here, we have a pure sequence, an impure sequence, a set, and three ungrouped cards- 4♣ 8♣ and 3♥.

The valid groups would be equal to 0 points each, while the ungrouped cards would be equal to 4 + 8 + 3 = 15 points.

Calculating winnings:

Let us suppose there are 6 players and the scoreboard looks like this:

• Winner - 0 points
• Player A - 25 points
• Player B - 49 points
• Player C - 28 points
• Player D - 31 points
• Player E - 9 points

Assuming the point value is ₹0.5, the winner will get: (25 + 49 + 28 + 31 + 9) × ₹0.5 - (platform’s fee) = ₹71 - (platform’s fee)

How Dropping Works in Points Rummy

Every player gets the option to drop on their turn through the entire game.

The drop option is only available if the player has NOT picked a card from the open or the closed deck in that turn. After a player drops, the game continues as usual till one makes a valid declaration.

First drop: If a player drops the game in their very first turn, they get 20 points. Experienced players often use this option when they’re not confident about their hand (one with 0 sequences or jokers, generally).

Midway drop: If a player drops anytime after their first turn, they get 40 points. Players study their opponents’ moves and often use this option to limit their losses.

Consecutive misses: Missing a preset number consecutive turns is considered equivalent to a midway drop, and 40 points get added to a player’s total. On RummyTime, this limit is set at 2 consecutive misses and can be changed in the user settings.

Invalid declaration: If a player makes an invalid declaration, they get 80 points and are dropped from the game.

So, here you go. This is how you can also get started with playing Points Rummy. All you have to do is head to the RummyTime website, then download rummy app and start gaming today.