Points rummy

What is a Points rummy game?

Points rummy is one of the variants of 13 card rummy game which is typically played with a range of 2 to 6 players, where participants compete for points assigned with a predetermined rupee value. Depending on the number of players involved, one or two standard decks of cards are utilized, with each deck containing a printed joker card.

The objective of Points rummy is to make a valid declaration and aim for zero points. The player who completes the objective before their opponents by making valid sets and sequences, with a pure sequence, wins the game.

Rules for Points rummy

Rummy is a skill-based game, so before diving into the gameplay, you need to know the basic rules. Although the objective of the game is to form valid sets and sequences to declare and win the game, similar to the generic rummy rules and gameplay.

Game objective:

Players must form valid sets and sequences to declare the game and win. A pure sequence is mandatory to make a valid declaration.

Game Setup:

• Number of Decks: 1 or 2 standard card decks including jokers.
• Number of Players: 2-6
• First Turn: This is decided by a virtual coin toss, the winner draws first.

Basic rules:

• Each player is dealt 13 cards.
• A pure sequence (a sequence without using a joker) is mandatory.
• A valid declaration must have at least two sequences, with one being a pure sequence.
• Sequences consist of 3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit.
• Sets consist of 3 or 4 cards of the same rank but different suits.
• Jokers (wild or printed) can be used as substitutes in impure sequences and sets.

Rules for Jokers in Points rummy:

• Printed Joker:

  The Printed Joker (PJ) can be used as a substitute for any missing card in a set or sequence. It helps to form a valid combination, but cannot be used in a pure sequence.

Example:

Valid set: ✅

7

♠

7

♦

JOKER

Valid impure sequence: ✅

4

♠

5

♠

JOKER

Invalid pure sequence: ❌

6

♥

7

♥

JOKER

• Wildcard Joker:

  A random card is selected as a Wildcard Joker (WJ) at the start of the game. For example if 8♣ is the WJ, all 8s (from any suit) act as Jokers. Like the Printed Joker, the WJ can replace any missing card in a set or sequence but cannot be used in a pure sequence.

Example:

Valid impure sequence: ✅

(WJ used as 4♠️)

Valid set: ✅

(WJ used as Q❤️)

Invalid pure sequence: ❌

(WJ as J♦️)

• Restrictions on sets:

  A valid set consists of three or four cards of the same rank but different suits (e.g., 5♠ 5♥ 5♦ is valid). Repeating the same suit in a set is not allowed.

  For example, 5♠ 5♠ 5♥ will be considered invalid since 5♠ appears twice.

Example:

Valid set: ✅

Invalid set: ❌

How to play Points rummy?

Points rummy is easy to learn but requires skill and strategy to win. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how the game is played:

• Each player is randomly dealt 13 cards.
• The first card from the deck is placed in the open deck to start the game.
• The remaining cards are placed face down in the closed deck.
• A wildcard joker is randomly selected at the start of the game.
• Printed Joker Rule: If a PJ comes as a wildcard joker, then players can use an Ace card of any suit as joker.
• Objective: Arrange all 13 cards into valid suits and sequences.
• Players take turns to pick or discard cards from the closed or open deck.
• Jokers can be used to complete impure sequences or sets.
• A player can move a card to the finish slot, and declare their hand if they have completed their sets and sequences.
• Declaration: Players must group their cards into valid sets and sequences, with a mandatory pure sequence before pressing declare.
• Compulsory Rule: At least two sequences are required, with one mandatory pure sequence (without using a joker), to declare and win the game.

Learn More: How to Play Rummy?

Scoring system in Points rummy

The goal in Points rummy is to form valid sets and sequences before your opponents, and declare first. The player who makes the first valid declaration wins the hand and gets 0 points

Winner’s Score Calculation:

• The first player to declare with a valid hand wins the game.
• The winner gets 0 points and earns winnings based on the total points of the losing players.

Points Calculation for Losing Players:

Points are assigned as follows:

• Face Cards: J, Q, K, and A are 10 points each.
• Number Cards: Face value (Example: 7 of hearts = 7 points)
• Joker Cards: 0 points

Penalty Points Calculation:

• The losing player’s points are calculated on the basis of ungrouped cards.

Exceptions:

• If a losing player has failed to make a pure sequence, then all cards count towards the penalty points.
• If they have one pure sequence, then all the remaining ungrouped cards count towards the penalty points.

Drop and Wrong Declaration Penalties:

• First Drop: 20 points
• Middle Drop: 40 points
• Wrong Declaration: 80 points

Maximum Points Limit:

• A losing player can get a maximum penalty of 80 points, even if their ungrouped cards total more than 80.

Auto Drop Scenario:

• If a player misses out on three consecutive turns, they are automatically given a middle drop of 40 points.

Formula for calculating the winner’s score:

(Sum of points of all opponents) * (Rupee value of the point) - Platform Charge

Let us understand how the winner’s score is calculated with an example.

Suppose 3 players are playing a Rs 2/ point game, where player 1 declares rummy and the other two players lose by 20 and 40 points. The winner will get 2*(20+40) = ₹120 - Platform Charge. Meanwhile, players get penalty points for every ungrouped card. For example, if a player has 6🖤 10♠and A♣ then the total penalty points will be (6+10+10) - 26. However, if a player doesn’t have any pure sequence in their hand, then all points from all cards will be added up. In case, a player has a pure sequence, only the points for the unarranged cards will be added as a penalty.

Drop system in Points rummy

In this game, each player has the option to quit the game on their turn without picking a card from the deck. This is called "dropping" the game.

• If a player chooses to drop the game on their very first turn, they receive 20 points.
• If players drop the game after getting one card, they receive 40 points.
• If a player misses three consecutive turns, they are automatically dropped from the game and receive a middle drop score.

How to play Points rummy on Rummyprime

Rummyprime offers the popular variants of 13 Card Rummy - Points, Pool and Deals. The app offers fast-paced gameplay with big rewards, and unlimited withdrawals. After entering the Rummyprime lobby, you can choose the Points variant, and start with practice free rummy games, or head straight to cash rummy tables.

Practice games:

Join Points rummy practice games with free practice chips. Play with a 1 point value on a 2 player table or 10 point value on a 2-6 player game.

Cash games:

You can start playing Points rummy cash games starting from ₹0.05/point up to ₹500/point on 2 to 6 player tables available on Rummyprime.

Tips to play Points rummy

• Discard high-value cards that are not used in any sets/sequences.
• Focus on forming a pure sequence from the very beginning.
• If you feel you have a weak hand, use the first drop option. Note you will have to incur 20 penalty points if you choose the first drop.
• Pay close attention to the cards your opponents are discarding. This will help you in understanding the type of cards they are holding.

Play Points rummy on Rummyprime and win real money

Now that you are familiar with the concept of Points rummy, it's time to engage in the game and aim for victory! If you wish to begin playing Points rummy, you can consider downloading Rummyprime. Play practice games to hone your rummy skills before diving into cash games.

See more: Play Real Cash Rummy Games

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