How to Play Contract Rummy: Step-by-Step Instructions for Beginners

Contract Rummy – the game with many names such as Liverpool Rummy, Shanghai Rummy, Joker Rummy, Combination Rummy and many more. However, the name of the game comes from the style of the gameplay. For each round, there is a basic Contract that should be fulfilled.   

In 2024, the online Rummy market in India was expected to reach 1.4 billion dollars. You can say that the opportunity to play Rummy online and the development of a Rummy app is crucial to its market growth. However, the actual element that makes Contract Rummy stand out is at each round you need one more card in total to form the round-specific sets and/or runs. 

Each player must fulfill the round-specific Contract.

Contract Rummy is a game of seven rounds in total. For the first four rounds, each player is dealt ten cards and for the next three rounds, each player gets twelve cards. Let’s look into the basic details of the game.

Basic Rules of Contract Rummy

Let’s break down the rules of playing Contract Rummy. 

Number of Players 

You can play the game of Contract Rummy with a minimum of two or more than five players. However, you can get the best experience of the game while playing with three to four players.

Equipment Needed 

You will need at least two standard deck of cards if four people are playing. However, you can use three standard decks of cards when more than four players are there. The game rule of Contract Rummy is unique when it comes to using Jokers. 

There should be one Joker less than the total number of players. So, if five players are playing, including you, a total of four Jokers will be used in that game. 

The Objective of the Game 

Each player must meld their cards in hand by forming sets and sequences. However, they must form the sets or sequences specific to the round. The simple yet interesting objective of Contract Rummy is key to its popularity.  

Dealing

The dealing goes clockwise like any Rummy variation. After choosing the dealer randomly, he deals cards one by one to all the players, starting from his left. The role of the dealer also shifts to the left after each round.

The remaining cards are kept as stockpiles and the top card of the pile is placed face up, which is the discard pile.

Understanding the Contracts in Contract Rummy  

Let’s understand the concept of Contracts in detail.

What are Contracts?

The interesting factor of the game is the Contract.  In the first round, you will need six cards to form two sets. At each round, you will need one more card in total. Finally, at the last stage, you will need a total of twelve cards to form the Contract – three runs.

The round-specific requirement of forming sets and sequences is called a Contract. 

Different Contracts at each round of Contract Rummy

The fun part is you would have to form different Contracts at each round of the game. Let’s explore them in detail.

First round

In the first round, you would have to make two sets with six cards.  

Second round 

One set and one run is the Contract of the round. You would have to form a set with three cards and a run with four cards. 

Third round

Two runs with four cards are the round-specific Contract of the third round.

Fourth round

Three sets are all you have to do for the fifth round. It means you will need at least nine cards for the round.

Fifth round

At this stage, you will be required to make two sets and one sequence. Meaning, you will need ten cards in total.

Sixth round

At this round you will need eleven cards in total, requiring you to form one set and two sequences.

Seventh round

The final stage requires you to make three runs. A total of twelve cards for the round. It is the maximum number of cards dealt to each player.

You may have already noticed that at each round you need one more extra card to form the necessary Contract. All players must fulfill the round-specific Contract at first before anything else.

How to Play Contract Rummy: Step-by-Step

Now, a step-by-step guide to the process of playing Contract Rummy.

Drawing and Discarding Cards

Each player must draw from either stock or discard pile and discard one card from their hand. If a player, whose turn it is, does not want the card on top of the discard pile, the rule of ‘May I’ can be used. It means that any other player can ‘buy’ the top card on the discard pile.

As a penalty, he also needs to draw from the stockpile, but he cannot draw or meld now as it is not his turn yet.

Forming Sets and Runs

To form a set, you will need at least three cards of the same value. On the contrary, a run requires at least 4 cards in an ascending or descending order.

Completing the Contract

By making these sets and runs you meld your cards in hand. However, the twist is, that you have to fulfill the Contract sets and runs specific to the round (as stated above).

Going Out and Scoring

Suppose you have fulfilled the Contract of the round and you have also melded remaining cards into required sets or runs, then you go out. It denotes that you have declared having no cards left in your hand.

Now, the play stops and you score zero while other players get a penalty score. Cards that could not be used to form sets or runs are considered in calculating the penalty points.

Ending the Round  

Once you or any player goes out, the round ends. However, the going out must be valid.

Scoring in Contract Rummy

Now, let’s see how you should calculate points for the game.

How to Calculate Points

To win the game of Contract Rummy you have to meld your cards by forming Contracted sets and runs of the round. After laying off all the cards you go out and score zero. Other players get penalties for the cards they could not form sets or run with.

Penalty for Unfinished Contracts

Once a player melds all his cards, he goes out. The play stops and the remaining players count their cards that they could not meld. The calculation for the penalty goes the following way:

Cards	Penalty value
Ace	15 points
Joker	25 points
Face cards	10 points
Other cards	As per their face values

How to Win a Round and the Game  

The first thing you do in Contract Rummy is fulfill the Contract of the round. Thereafter you meld the remaining cards in your hand. Once you do that and go out, you win the round. 

However, to win the game you have to complete all seven rounds and score the lowest among all the players.

Tips for Beginners

If you are a beginner, try to keep in mind the following tips to improve your online Rummy gameplay.

Practice Forming Sets and Runs

Invest your time in practice games more. Try making sets and runs with the cards dealt to you. It will improve your gaming skills and help you progress in no time. Once you master the skill of forming sets and runs quickly, it will help you win real games.

Keep Track of Contracts and Points

Contract Rummy is all about fulfilling the round-specific Contract. So, you must remember the Contract of the round you are playing. Besides, you’ll also need to keep track of your previous penalty points, if any.  

Be Strategic with Your Discards

Try to understand the cards your opponents need. Be strategic accordingly while discarding your cards. If you do not discard strategically, you will gain the upper hand in the game. Winning will be difficult for your opponent.

Know When to Go Out  

As soon as you meet the Contract of the round and you have melded all your cards, go out at once. If you don’t, other players may go out and put you on the downside.

Conclusion

If you are beginning your card game journey and have a clean slate, Contract Rummy will be enjoyable to you. Prioritize meeting the Contract of the round before anything else. Then winning the round and ultimately the game will be easier for you. Strategically keeping track of opponents’ moves, noticing their discards and drawing makes Contract Rummy enjoyable for you. You can also try playing online Rummy in a Rummy app developed for mobile platforms.