Breaking Down the Complexity of 21 Card Rummy Rules for Beginners

Online games are a favourite of most people. However, online Rummy games especially have become very popular in the last few years. People from all corners of the world download several Rummy applications to take part in these exciting games. As a result, there is an expected growth of CAGR of 11.5% between the years 2021 to 2026. Well, one game that is playing a big part in this growth is the 21 Card Rummy. 

This game adds an exciting touch to Rummy, making people download this Rummy app from all countries. Well, if you are also someone who is trying their hands in this game then you will need to start by learning the rules of it. This makes it easy for you to play the game, helping you become a pro. So, make sure you start your gameplay after gaining proper knowledge to avoid future mistakes.  

Similar to all other game apps, this one also includes rules of its own that set it apart from the other games. This is exactly why it becomes important for you to learn the rules from the core so there is no place for any mistakes. 

Key Objectives and Basics of 21 Card Rummy

Well, learning the basics really helps in simplifying complex things. This is why, we will start by breaking down the basics of the game, some of which are:

Understanding the Deck Setup

The deck setup in the 21 Card Rummy game is a little unique. There are 3 decks in total, each one has 53 cards in it, including 3 PJs (Printed Jokers). This game follows a traditional gameplay concept, but it does include a few modern concepts like Dublee, Tunnela, and both upper and lower Jokers. 

During the game, every player gets 21 cards which signifies the name of the game. You are required to arrange the cards that you get in a valid sequence or set to win the game in the end. The Joker card plays the role of a wild card and it can be used to replace any card for completing a set or sequence. This is pretty similar to what you can expect in other Rummy games. 

Primary Objectives of the Game

Similar to other online Rummy games, the game is all about creating valid sets and sequences. You will have to make at least 3 pure sequences before you get to make a valid declaration. 

A pure sequence is when three or more cards of the same suit form together. For instance, Tunnela is a pure sequence of three matching cards of the same rank and same suit like 5♠️ 5♠️ 5♠️. On the other hand, when you combine three or more cards that are of the same face value but different suits then it is a sequence like 8♥️ 8♠️ 8♦️.  

How to Play 21 Card Rummy

Playing the 21 Card Rummy game involves following a proper process. So, let us walk you through the entire process to make things easy for you. 

How to Start the Game

The game of 21 Card Rummy starts with shuffling and dealing the cards. Everyone gets a total of 21 cards. After that, the remaining cards that have not been dealt to any player are placed face down in a stockpile. The player who sits on the left of the dealer starts the game and then the rest of the thing follows. 

Gameplay Rules for Beginners

The rules of 21 Card Rummy are quite easy to understand. They are as follows: 

• You will have to declare at least 3 pure sequences and the remaining cards are arranged in sets and sequences. 
• You must declare 3 tunnelas minimum without following any strict rules of order or groups. 
• All players must create 8 dublees(*) and each one should be arranged in individual groups. 
• You are required to declare 8 Jokers in a group during the game. However, there is no need to arrange the rest of the Jokers in any particular order. 
• Each player will have to pick a card from the closed or open deck during the game. After that, they will have to discard one card from their hand and add it to the open deck. 
• You are allowed to declare your hand only when you have arranged your cards in a sequence or set that is valid. Moreover, you will also have to discard one card from the ones you were dealt to the Finish slot. 

*Dublee – A pair of two cards that have the same rank and suit, or two Jokers. But a Joker card cannot be arranged with another card for a dublee. For instance, 4♥️ 4♥️. 

Scoring in 21 Card Rummy

The scoring system in the 21 Card Rummy game works in a pretty simple manner. This is how it follows: 

• The one who wins the game adds up points based on the cards that the losing players have lost. 
• High-value cards like K, Q, J, and A, all have 10 points value, and regular cards from 2 to 10 have their face value. 
• The losing player’s negative score is calculated based on the points that the ungrouped cards have. This exempts situations like when:

• All cards are counted as negative points if there are zero pure sequences.
• In case there are one to two pure sequences then you do not have to count them in negative points.
• The impure sets and sequences are also exempted from negative points accumulation if there are three pure sequences. 
• The maximum point that a player can lose in 21 Card Rummy is 120 points. 
• The Cut Joker, Upper Joker, and Lower Joker cards get 10 points for a single card, 30 points if there are 2 cards, and 50 if there are 3 cards. 
• Points for some of the other cards are:

• Marriage cards have 100 points
• Taplu (Lower Joker) has 20 points
• Paplu (Upper Joker) has 20 points 
• Sterling Joker has 30 points
• Printed Joker has 20 points 
• Tunnela card has 20 points
• 2 of Club has 20 points for each card
• Ace of Spades has 20 points

If you want to reduce your points then you will have to strategically use the Joker card. These are worth zero points so they easily fill the gap of just any card in a combination. Moreover, you should also try to create a pure sequence with 3 or 10 cards without involving any Joker rummy card. 

On top of all, try to make all the probable calculations before you complete any combination. This automatically helps you in becoming the winner. Most importantly remember that whoever sorts all the cards in their hand earliest gets to become the winner of the game. However, if there are multiple rounds of online Rummy played then the one with the highest total score becomes the winner. 

Strategies to Win 21 Card Rummy as a Beginner

Mastering any kind of Rummy game requires you to learn a few strategies. These are simple things that deal with working around the rules and using your skills to become a winner. Some of the strategies that you must know before you start playing the game are: 

Arranging Cards Efficiently

Proper card arrangement is extremely important for winning 21 Card Rummy. So, make sure you properly use Jokers to form your sets and melds. Moreover, you should be extremely mindful while discarding the cards and avoid picking anything from the discard pile. You should concentrate on choosing cards that have lower value and arrange 3 or 4 cards of the same rank in sets but never of the same suit. 

Using Jokers and Wild Cards Wisely

The Joker card works like a wild card in this Rummy game, so you should use these very smartly. You can use this to form an impure sequence to just replace any card. If your Wild Joker Card is 3 ♣️ then you can pick a 3 card from just any suit for the sequence. 

On the other hand, for sets you will have to use the Joker card to replace any card in a group containing 3 or 4 cards of the same rank, coming from different suits. Moreover, this card can also be used for an existing meld. 

Observing All Moves of the Opponents

Well, you will have to keep a close watch on your opponent’s moves if you want to be the winner. This is one skill, learning will automatically help in simplifying the rest of the gameplay. So, make sure you track all the cards that they are discarding in each stage. This helps you understand which cards they have and which ones they want, making it easy for you to crack their strategies.

Once you learn what their strategies are, you should work on making a few adjustments to your own if it is required. Try to understand their actions properly to make changes on your own. This is one of the best skills that a player of online Rummy can learn to win the game. 

Conclusion

Mastering the 21 Card Rummy game is easier than it seems. This just requires you to learn all the Rummy rules and improve your skills for the gameplay. One good key for this improvement is to practice playing the game on a Rummy app. This introduces you to the different scenarios of the game, helping you come up with different strategies. On top of everything, you should remember that mastering this game requires you to be a little patient, so make sure you learn the game properly without any kind of rushing.