Gin Rummy

Gin Rummy with live deadwood tracking

The classic two-player Rummy variant, free in your browser. Your hand is automatically grouped into its best melds with deadwood highlighted, and selecting a discard previews your exact deadwood before you knock.

How to play Gin Rummy

Each player holds ten cards. Draw from the stock or discard pile, then discard. Knock when your unmatched cards total 10 points or less — or go Gin with zero deadwood for a 25-point bonus. If the defender's deadwood ties or beats the knocker's, they score an undercut bonus instead.

Smart AI and match scoring

Three AI difficulty levels, with the hardest tracking unseen cards and timing its knocks. Rounds accumulate to a configurable target score, and your Gin wins, knock wins, undercuts, and average deadwood are tracked for life.

How to Play — Step by Step

1. Each player holds ten cards; one card starts the discard pile. Your hand is auto-grouped into its best melds, with deadwood dimmed.
2. On your turn, draw from the stock or take the top discard.
3. Aim to form sets (3–4 of a rank) and runs (3+ consecutive, same suit). Unmatched cards are deadwood: A=1, faces=10.
4. Select a card to discard — the button shows your exact deadwood after that discard.
5. Knock when that deadwood is 10 or less. Your opponent then lays off cards onto your melds, and you score the deadwood difference.
6. Discard to zero deadwood for Gin: +25 bonus and no lay-offs allowed. But beware — if the defender's deadwood ties or beats yours, they undercut you for +25.
7. Rounds accumulate; first to the target score (default 100) wins the match.

Strategy Tips

Keep your deadwood low so you can knock as soon as you're under ten. Hold cards that flex between runs and sets, and discard high unmatched cards early to cut your risk. Watch what your opponent picks up and avoid feeding their melds — going for gin pays a bonus, but knocking early is often safer.

Frequently Asked Questions

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