Rummy 500 is a matching card game and a popular variation on the well-known standard ruleset of rummy.
The game is easily adaptable to suit a higher player count and is simple enough to understand. In some ways, it is quite similar to Canasta.
The Steps
Rummy 500 is suitable for 2-8 players. The standard 52-card Anglo-American deck is all you need to play this game. For player counts of 4 or more, an additional deck is used.
Setting Up
The dealer is determined by drawing a card from the deck after shuffling. The player drawing the higher card will be the dealer of the round. The Kings are the highest, and the Aces are the lowest.
Each player is dealt 13 cards each (or 7 in games with more than 2 players). The remaining cards are set aside, forming the draw pile. The top card of the draw pile is revealed and placed on the board, forming the discard pile.
What is the Goal?
The goal is to form melds using all cards in hand. Melds include sets and sequences, consisting of at least 3 cards.
Sets are formed with cards of the same rank from different suits. An example of a set is 3♣ 3♦ 3♠.
Sequences are made with cards of ascending rank. An example of a sequence is 5♦ 6♦ 7♦. However, 4♣ 5♦ 6♠ is not a valid sequence, as the cards are from different suits.
The Gameplay
The non-dealer goes first. In the case of more players, the player sitting to the left of the dealer goes first.
At the start of each turn, the player will draw a card from the draw pile or the discard pile. If drawing from the discard pile, the drawn card must be immediately used or discarded. To use a drawn card, a player will reveal a valid meld made using the drawn card. The revealed meld will then be set face-up on the board and can no longer be discarded.
If drawing from the draw pile, the card can be kept unconditionally. However, a card of the player’s choosing must be discarded.
Discards will be placed face up. However, discards must be placed in a way such that all cards beneath can be seen. This means that players can draw any specific card in the discard pile, provided they take all cards above.
On every turn, players can meld or lay off on revealed sets on the board. At the end of their turn, a player must discard one of their cards. This card has to be laid face up on top of the pile.
Laying Off Cards
Revealed sets can be added if the remaining card is drawn. For example, if a revealed set of 3♣ 3♦ 3♠ is on the board, and a player draws the 3♥, they can place the 3♥ heads up, indicating that they have laid off.
Players can also lay off on their own sets by simply playing the card as an extension of their set.
Calling
When a player discards a card that could have been laid off, any player can shout “Rummy” to take the card. That card is always awarded 15 points.
Winning
Scores are awarded as described in the Scoring section of the guide. The first player to reach 500 points wins the game.
Rules
Due to the complexity of the drawing and discard rules, there are special rules used.
Calling
If a discarded card can be laid off, any player can call “Rummy”, even if it is not their turn.
Discards
If you did not meld all the cards in your hand, select one card from your hand and place it face up on top of the discard pile, revealing it to the other players.
Ending Rounds
The round ends when a player manages to clear all cards from their hand. This then begins the scoring process.
Rules summarized
In summary, the rules for Rummy 500 are:
- Each player is dealt 7 or 13 cards.
- At the start of each turn, a player draws a card from the draw pile or the discard pile.
- If drawing from the discard pile, any number of cards can be drawn provided at least one is used.
- To use a card, melds are formed and shown.
- The player discards the same number of cards drawn to end their turn.
- Melds cannot be discarded.
- If sets are revealed, a player can lay off their cards.
- A player can call when a discard could have been laid off.
Scoring and Points
Scoring in Rummy 500 is done across multiple rounds. Points are calculated by counting the score of the revealed melds for each player, then subtracting the score of the unmelded cards in hand.
Points are awarded as follows:
| Cards | Value |
|---|---|
| Aces | 1 or 15 |
| 2-10 | Face Value |
| Jacks | 10 Points |
| Queens | 10 Points |
| Kings | 10 Points |
| Jokers | 15 Points |
An example of scoring is shown in the Example Hands section of the guide.
Example Hand
If the player has the following hand:
| Melds | Unmelded Cards |
|---|---|
| 3♣ 3♦ 3♠ – 10♦ J♦ Q♦ K♦ | 7♠ 8♠ A♣ 6♣ J♥ K♥ |
The score of the melds is 49, and the score of the remaining cards is 56. Thus, the player scores a negative of 7 points. Negative scores will be subtracted from the score total.
To prevent lowered scores, players should meld as many cards as possible.
Video Tutorial
Strategy
- Rummy 500 strategy is based around melding, as long as you can meld as many cards as possible, you won’t fall behind.
- Instead of maintaining unmelded cards, you should always meld whenever possible.
- Use the unique discard rules to clear more cards from your hand.
- Sequences are harder to form, but cannot be laid off, making them ideal when possible.
- When discarding, think about your move, since discards will likely be claimed by your opponents.
- Remember that wraparounds are not allowed for sequences. A cannot follow a sequence of K.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cards are dealt?
Each player gets 7 cards, or 13 cards in 2-player games.
Do you have to discard in Rummy 500?
Yes. You are required to discard one card at the end of your turn, face up.
What happens when you run out of cards?
Once a player runs out of cards, the round ends and scores are calculated
Where can I play online?
There are many available Rummy 500 apps on the web, Android and iOS. These also allow you to play with other players.
Keith
If one player lays down a group of 3’s and another player one 3, and a few rounds go by and the player with the one 3, can that player use that 3 in a group of 3, 4, 5? Can you move your lays downs around if need to make other groups of 3?
Paul Dunlop
So if I understand correctly:
– Player 1 lays down a set as a meld.
– Player 2 lays off his one matching card to that set.
That card is locked now and cannot be moved away from that set. So unfortunately not.
Andrea Richardson
If you take 4 cards from the discard pile use one to meld, do you still discard 4 cards?
Paul Dunlop
Discarding the same number of cards as you drew is actually an uncommon way to play. So I have updated our guide. The most common way is to just discard 1 card at the end of your turn.
Scott Sibley
So in adding up the score for a round, the winner gets the points he has melded, plus the point value of the unmelded cards of his opponent – right?
Paul Dunlop
No. Your final score is the points from your melds minus the point values of your own unmelded cards. See the Example Hand section.