Rummy is often referred to as a skills game because it teaches several important skills. This is the reason why you often see people interested in this card game. Even people who know nothing about rummy card games wish to understand and learn this game. It is impossible to learn rummy games unless you understand the rummy terminology properly. Here we have tried to make rummy terminology easy for the beginners. Check it out to get a proper understanding of the rummy terminology.

Different Types of Cards in Indian Rummy Card Games

There are several different types of cards in rummy games. Here we have tried to describe each of these to help the beginners understand better. Check them out:

Picture Cards: The whole deck is used for playing rummy card games. The cards with pictures on them are referred to as picture cards. The cards A, K, Q and J of all four signs are referred to as picture cards. The points charged for picture cards is 10 points each.

Number Cards: The cards with numbers on them are called number cards. The cards of spades, clubs, diamonds and hearts from 2 to 10 are called number cards. The number cards are charged points as per their existing value. For example, 5 points will be charged for a 5 of hearts.

High Point Cards: Cards that have higher point value are referred to as high point cards. The cards from 6 to 10 in all four signs are called high point cards. Even the picture cards are called high point cards.

Low Point Cards: The cards that have lower point value are called low point cards. All the cards from 2 to 5 in the four signs are called low point cards.

Joker Cards: Each deck has 2-3 joker cards. These cards can be used to complete melds as well as real sequences. Joker cards don’t have any point value.

Pulled Out Joker: Apart from the existing jokers in the deck, the dealer pulls out a random card from the deck to represent a pulled-out joker. If he pulls a 7 of hearts, all 7s work as pulled-out jokers. They can be used to complete melds and artificial (real) sequences.

Different Combinations in Rummy Games

After understanding the terminology used to refer to different kinds of cards in rummy, you need to understand the different combinations of cards next. Here we have listed these out for reference:

Melds: An arrangement of cards of different signs but same value in threes or fours can be called melds. For example, 9 of hearts, spades and clubs can together form a meld.

Sequences: An arrangement of cards of the same sign in ascending or descending order of their values is called a sequence. 

Pure Sequence: If a sequence is completed without the use of jokers, it is called a pure sequence.

Real Sequence: A sequence that makes use of jokers for completion is called real sequence.

Terms Related to Rules for Rummy Card Games

Now that you know the rummy terminology for the cards and the combinations, you can try to understand the rummy terminology associated with the rules of the rummy card games. Here we have shared them for you:

Life: The minimum arrangement of cards upto which you are considered to have a full hand (maximum points) is called life.

Full Hand: If the opponent completes his hand in rummy games before you have completed life, your hand is regarded as a full hand. You will have maximum points in this case. The points are counted differently for different variations of rummy games.

First Drop: If you have a bad hand right at the start, you can quit. When you quit before the first card is played, it is referred to as first drop. Minimum points are charged in case of first drop.

Second Drop: At any point after the first card is played, if you quit, it is called second drop. Points charged in case of second drop is double the points charged in case of first drop.

False Call: If you call it a hand before you have completed your sequences and melds, it is called false call. A penalty may be charged in case of false call.

Once you start playing rummy card games, some doubts may pop up. You can clear these doubts by checking the tutorial videos and reading through the FAQs. A little practice gaming may also prove helpful.