Gin Rummy rules

How a hand works

1. 1

   Deal ten

   Each player gets 10 cards. Turn one card up as the discard pile.

2. 2

   Draw and discard

   Take the top stock card or the top discard, then discard one.

3. 3

   Build melds

   Sets (3–4 of a kind) and runs (3+ in a row, same suit). Unmatched cards are deadwood. Aces are low.

4. 4

   Knock

   When your deadwood totals 10 or less, you may knock and lay your hand down. Your opponent lays off cards onto your melds.

5. 5

   Gin

   Knock with zero deadwood — that's gin, and your opponent can't lay off.

Scoring

• Card valuesA 1 · faces 10 · pips
• Knock and winDifference in deadwood
• Gin bonus25 + opponent's deadwood
• Undercut (defender ≤ knocker)25 + difference
• Game bonus (reach 100)100
• Each hand won (box)25

Winning tips

• Knock early if your opponent is holding many high cards.
• Throw high deadwood early.
• Watch the discards to see what your opponent is collecting.

Popular house rules

• Many tables use 20 for gin and 10 for an undercut.
• Oklahoma Gin: the first upcard sets the knock limit.