Meld game · 2 players

Gin Rummy

Build runs and sets, shed your deadwood, and knock before your opponent. A focused two-player classic for long evenings anywhere.

Basics

Two players use a 52-card deck. Deal ten cards each, turn one card up for the discard pile, and leave the rest as stock.

Create sets of 3–4 equal ranks and runs of 3 or more consecutive cards in one suit. Unmatched cards are deadwood.

This version: knock at 10 deadwood or less, gin bonus 25, play to 100.

How to play

  1. 1. Draw Take the stock's top card or the top discard.
  2. 2. Discard End the turn by discarding one card face up.
  3. 3. Knock With 10 or fewer deadwood points, reveal melds and deadwood.
  4. 4. Lay off The opponent reveals melds and may add deadwood to the knocker's melds.
  5. 5. Gin With zero deadwood, call gin; the opponent cannot lay off.

Scoring

EventPoints
Card valuesAce 1, number face value, face cards 10
Successful knockDifference in deadwood
Gin25 + opponent's deadwood
Undercut25 + difference
GoalFirst to 100

Strategy

Avoid revealing too much through discard pickups, track unavailable cards, and weigh undercut risk before knocking with 8–10 deadwood.

Watch Gin Rummy being played

The video explains the rules in English. Check your table's house rules before you begin.

Watch on YouTube →

House rules

Oklahoma Gin, round bonuses, and Big Gin are common alternatives. Agree on bonuses and target score first.

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Five clever tips

Nothing up your sleeve—just legal moves that make everyone wonder when you got so sharp.

1

Discard high deadwood

Unmatched kings and queens cost ten points each.

2

Watch every pickup

A card taken from the discard pile reveals exactly what interested your opponent.

3

Knock at the right time

A quick low knock can be safer than waiting too long for gin.

4

Keep flexible middle cards

Middle ranks connect to more possible runs.

5

Identify safe discards

Cards related to ranks and suits your opponent rejected are often safer.

Frequently asked questions

Can more than two play?

Gin Rummy is designed for two; standard Rummy suits larger groups.

Can ace be high?

No. A-2-3 works, Q-K-A does not.

What if the stock runs out?

With only two stock cards left and no knock, the hand is a draw.

Sources

Rules reviewed on 24 September 2026. House rules vary; this page describes one clear standard version.

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Ready for the next round?

Deal ten cards each and see who calls gin first.