How to play Gin Rummy

One standard deck and two players. Aces are low; picture cards count 10.

Score points by ending hands with less unmatched “deadwood” than your opponent; first to 100 points wins the game.

1. 1Deal ten cards to each player.
2. 2Turn the next card face up to start the discard pile; the rest form the stock.

1. 1On each turn, draw one card—either the top of the stock or the top discard—then discard one card.
2. 2Aim to form sets (three or four of a kind) and runs (three or more in sequence in one suit).
3. 3You may knock instead of discarding normally if the total value of your unmatched cards is 10 or less. Discard face down and lay out your hand.

• When someone knocks, the opponent lays out their hand too and may add unmatched cards to the knocker’s sets and runs.
• If the knocker has less deadwood, they score the difference. If the opponent has the same or less, they “undercut” and score the difference plus a 10-point bonus.
• Going gin—knocking with no deadwood at all—scores 20 points plus the opponent’s deadwood, and cannot be undercut.
• Play continues until someone reaches 100 points; that player gets extra game bonuses.

• Oklahoma Gin: the first upcard sets the maximum deadwood for knocking in that hand.
• Some groups use a 25-point gin bonus and 25-point undercut bonus.

• Discard high unmatched cards early; they cost the most if your opponent knocks.
• Watch what your opponent picks up from the discard pile.