Card Combinations and Permutations in Rummy

Rummy is one of the most popular games in India, and its popularity only continues to increase as more and more players join online to play an exciting strategic game and bag big prizes.

When you get online to start playing rummy, you need to learn all the rules and tips so you know how to play rummy like a winner. 

Before we get into the intricate details of card combinations in rummy, let’s understand how the entire objective of the game revolves around making the right kind of card combinations.

A Guide to Card Combinations in Rummy

The objective of the game is to get rid of all the cards in your hand. This is done by creating melds of sets and sequences.

Rummy Sequences

In rummy, it is compulsory to create a pure sequence, which is a card combination of the same suit in an order, without using a Joker. This would look like this:

7♥️ 6♥️ 5♥️ 4♥️

In addition to a pure rummy sequence, players must also aim to create an impure sequence, which means card combinations of the suit in an order that can be made using a Printed Joker or a Wild Joker, which is a card selected at random. If using a Printed Joker, it would look like this:

9♣️ 8♣️ PJ 6♣️

Rummy Sets

In rummy, a set is made using card combinations of the same value cards of different suits. This looks like this:

Q♠️ Q♣️ Q♥️ Q♦️

How do I play rummy?

As per rummy rules , once you’ve created a meld, you can only put down the card combinations during your turn. The order of steps must be to pick up a card, put down your combination and then discard your card. In any case, the discard must be the last step. Once you’ve discarded a card, you cannot put down the card combinations and will have to wait until your next turn.

When you put down  card combinations in rummy, it may prove disadvantageous to you if you put down a sequence with only three cards. This is because your opponent can add a card to your combination and reduce their points as well.

This is also true if your opponent places a combination on the table; you can also add to their combination and turn the game in your favour. You can also add a card to the combination that you yourself have placed on the table if you happen to pick the right card.

When the combination of cards in your hand is a set of four, you can put it down without worrying since no card can be added to a set of four. 

If you have a hand that could allow you to make both a set and a sequence,you may choose to hold onto the cards to complete the sequence since that is more beneficial to a win.

If the cards in your hand are

5♠️ 6♠️ 7♠️ 7♥️ 7♦️ 7♣️

Instead of choosing to put down the set, you can choose to wait and see if you pick up a 4♠️ or an 8♠️️, which will help you to complete a pure sequence. 

You will only learn how to play rummy perfectly once you learn the rules and master the art of strategic planning, waiting only until it is necessary to make a valid combination. Observing your opponent’s discard will help you estimate the permutations of combinations that they may be likely to create. 

Download the A23 Rummy App

The A23 rummy app allows you to practice your game, learn the rummy rules and master how to make the right card combinations to win. Download the app to play many exciting games and win big prizes.