Gin Rummy

1 Overview

Gin Rummy is the definitive two-player card game. It's fast, tactical, and rewards card memory. Both players race to build their 10-card hand into complete melds while managing their 'deadwood' (unmatched cards). When your deadwood is 10 or less, you can knock to end the round.

2 What You Need

• 1 standard deck of 52 cards
• Score pad and pencil

3 Setup

1. Deal 10 cards to each player. Place the remaining deck face-down as the stock pile.
2. Flip the top card face-up to start the discard pile.
3. Non-dealer goes first.

4 How to Play

On your turn: draw one card (from stock or top of discard pile), then discard one card face-up.

Melds

• Set: 3 or 4 cards of the same rank (three Kings, four 7s)
• Run: 3+ consecutive cards of the same suit (5-6-7 of hearts)

Aces are always low (A-2-3 is valid; Q-K-A is not).

Knocking

When your deadwood (unmelded card values, face cards = 10, Aces = 1) totals 10 or less, you may knock after drawing. Lay your melds face-up and discard your final card face-down. The opponent then lays their melds and may 'lay off' cards onto your melds to reduce their deadwood.

Gin

If you can meld all 10 cards with zero deadwood, you can 'Go Gin' - declare it before discarding. The opponent cannot lay off cards in this case.

5 Winning

The knocker scores the difference between their deadwood and the opponent's deadwood after lay-offs. If the opponent has equal or less deadwood, they 'undercut' the knocker and score 10 bonus points plus the difference. Gin scores 25 bonus points plus opponent's deadwood. First to 100 wins; the winner adds a 100-point game bonus plus 25 points per round they won that the loser also won (box bonus).

6 Strategy Tips

• Draw from the discard pile strategically. It signals your melds to your opponent. Only grab a discard when it completes or nearly completes a meld.
• Discard high cards early. Face cards = 10 deadwood points each. Get rid of Kings, Queens, and Jacks unless they're in a meld.
• Track what your opponent takes. If they grabbed the 7 of hearts, they likely have a run near there or a set of 7s. Don't feed them cards in that zone.
• Know when to knock. Knocking at 10 is safe but conservative. Sometimes waiting for Gin (25-point bonus) is worth it if you're close.