How to Play Gin Rummy
Gin Rummy is one of the most popular two-player card games in the world. Draw and discard cards to form melds (sets and runs) while minimizing your deadwood. Knock when your deadwood is 10 or less — or go for Gin with zero deadwood!
📋 Rules
Setup
Each player receives 10 cards. One card starts the discard pile. The remaining cards form the draw pile.
Draw Phase
Each turn, draw one card from either the draw pile or the discard pile.
Discard Phase
After drawing, discard one card to the discard pile. You should always have 10 cards at the end.
Melds
Sets: 3 or 4 cards of the same rank. Runs: 3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 4♠ 5♠ 6♠).
Knocking
When your unmatched cards (deadwood) total 10 points or fewer, you can knock to end the round. Face cards = 10, Ace = 1, others = face value. Gin (0 deadwood) earns a 25-point bonus!
🧠 Strategy Tips
- Focus on forming runs early — they are easier to extend than sets.
- Watch what your opponent picks from the discard pile. It reveals what melds they are building.
- Discard high-value cards early to reduce deadwood risk if your opponent knocks first.
- Be cautious about picking from the discard pile — it shows your opponent what you are collecting.
- Do not hold out too long for Gin. A timely knock with low deadwood is often better than risking an opponent knock.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between knocking and Gin?
Knocking ends the round when your deadwood is 10 or less. Gin means your deadwood is exactly 0, earning a 25-point bonus plus your opponent's deadwood.
What is an undercut?
If you knock but your opponent's deadwood is equal to or less than yours, they "undercut" you and score 25 bonus points plus the deadwood difference.
How are face cards scored?
Jack, Queen, and King are each worth 10 points. Aces are worth 1 point. Number cards are worth their face value.