Shanghai Rummy: What It Is and How It Is Played

Rummy is quite a popular game all over the world. 

One of the reasons for its popularity is the variety of Rummy games which you can find online. Apart from that, these variants have rules and regulations that you can understand easily. 

One such variant is Shanghai Rummy. 

This game became popular in California between 1940 and 1950, where it was known as California Shanghai Rummy. Eventually, it came to be known as Shanghai Rummy. 

If you’re curious to learn more about this Rummy* variant, refer to the sections below.

Note: If you’re a beginner, click here to know how to play Rummy.

Objective of the Game    

Basically, you must form (or meld) all the cards in your hand into valid sets and runs (sequences)* at the end of ten rounds. You should have no ungrouped cards left in your hand. 

*Note: A group of three Number Four cards (irrespective of their suit) is a set. On the other hand, a group of Number Four, Number Five, Number Six and Number Seven of Diamonds is a run (or sequence). 

However, unlike traditional variants of Rummy, each of these ten rounds of Shanghai Rummy has a different set of rules regarding the melds you can make. So all players must follow these rules if they wish to win the game.

You can decide upon these rules at the beginning of each round, before the game, or follow the Shanghai Rummy rules.

For example, if someone has decided that you must meld two sets and three runs to win in the first round, that is what you should do. If you cannot stick to these conditions, you will be given a penalty of a hundred points. 

Basic Rules and Gameplay   

As per Shanghai Rummy rules, a group of between three and eight players can play this game. You will need to arrange for two to three decks of cards or more, depending on the number of players. 

Remember that you must include one Joker card per two decks. In other words, if you’re using four 52-card decks, you must have two Joker cards. 

Setup

Before you begin the game, you must choose a dealer. The dealer is chosen at random and keeps changing in each round.  Before the first round begins, the dealer hands each player eleven cards while the remaining cards form the draw and discard piles. 

For example, in a game of six players, thirty-eight cards remain after each player receives their card. From these thirty eight cards, the topmost card will be kept face up to form the discard pile. 

The remaining thirty-seven cards will form the draw pile, and will be kept face down.

Turn Sequence

The player seated to the dealer’s left starts the game by drawing or discarding a card from the draw or discard piles. Afterwards, you must meld the cards into the required number of sets and runs, as determined by round rules. 

Once the round ends, you should discard and add one of your cards to the discard deck.*

*Note: When discarding a card that could be added to an existing meld, you should say “Shanghai”. This way, the other players cannot pick up the discarded card. If you don’t call out “Shanghai”,  the other players can add the discarded card to their melds.

When you draw a card from the draw deck, you must give other out-of-turn players the option of “buying” the topmost card of the discard pile. 

If any of these other players “buys” or takes the topmost card of the discard pile, they must draw another card from the top of the draw deck. 

After you have completed a round in Shanghai Rummy, you can “lay off” your ungrouped cards. In other words, you can add these cards to existing melds on the table. These existing melds could either be yours or belong to the other players. 

You should, however take note that Jokers are considered wildcards in the game, and, therefore can only be used as shown below:

i) You can use one Joker card in a three-card set or four-card run

ii) You can use two Joker cards in a five-card run

iii) You can use three Joker cards in a seven-card run

iv) You can use four Joker cards in a ten-card run

The Phases of Shanghai Rummy

If you decide to follow the Shanghai Rummy rules, then you will have to form the following melds in each round:

As you can see, the game increases in complexity from the fifth round onwards, so you must draw and discard cards accordingly in each round. As we’ve mentioned previously, you must fulfil the contract for each round to progress through the game.

Scoring and Winning

You should aim to score the lowest points possible to win Shanghai Rummy. You can do that by forming valid melds at the end of ten rounds.

Players are awarded points based on the cards remaining in their hand after a round ends. If you have valid melds (sets and runs), then you’re awarded zero points. 

But if you have ungrouped or undiscarded cards like a Number Three and Number Five card, you will be awarded eight points. You should note that the value of the ungrouped cards can be calculated based on the following:

i) Number cards carry values from two to nine, depending on what is printed on them

ii) King, Queen and Jack cards carry ten points each

iii) Ace cards carry one point

iv) Joker cards carry fifteen points 

Strategy and Tips

As in every game, you must follow a definitive Shanghai Rummy strategy to win. 

Firstly, you must learn to meld your available cards quickly. You can group your cards based on their suits or other combinations to sort them quickly. However, we recommend downloading our app since you can play practice games there.

Secondly, you should strategically discard your cards. As per Shanghai Rummy rules, other out-of-turn players can add the discarded cards to their melds. So, we would recommend discarding lower-value cards like Number Two, Number Three and so on.

Thirdly, you should seek to “buy” the correct or relevant cards, which can complete your melds. For example, if there’s a Joker card on the discard deck, you can use it to complete a three-card set during the second round. 

Additionally, you should “buy” cards from the top of the draw deck only if you wish to add three cards to your hand. 

Finally, we recommend using the Joker cards to complete incomplete runs or sets, instead of discarding them. 

Wrapping Up

So as you can see, Shanghai Rummy is an immensely popular game, which is loved for its unpredictability and competitive appeal. Apart from that, you can play different variants of Shanghai Rummy games depending on the players’ mood.

It is a great game you can enjoy with friends and family. For other games, you can check out our website! Have fun!