How to play Gin Rummy

Beginning

Objective

• The goal is to form sets (three or four of a kind) and runs (three or more consecutive cards of the same suit) while minimizing deadwood (unmatched cards).

Setup

• Use a standard 52-card deck.
• Each player is dealt 10 cards.
• The rest of the deck forms a draw pile, with one card flipped face up to start the discard pile.

Gameplay

1. Turn Structure
   • The non-dealer goes first.
   • On your turn, choose to either:
     • Draw the top card from the draw pile or take the top card from the discard pile.
     • Discard a card from your hand (face-up on the discard pile).
2. Melding Sets and Runs
   • You don't lay them down during play. Instead, keep track of your best combinations.
3. Ending a Round ("Knocking" or Going Gin)
   • If your deadwood (unmatched cards) totals 10 points or fewer, you can "knock" (end the round).
   • If you have zero deadwood (all your cards form valid sets and runs), you have "Gin" and score extra points.
4. Scoring
   • If you knocked, your opponent can lay off unmatched cards onto your melds.
   • The knocker scores the difference in deadwood points.
   • If the opponent has a lower deadwood count, they score an undercut bonus.
   • Going "Gin" gives a 25-point bonus.
5. Winning the Game
   • The game continues until a player reaches a set point total (usually 100 points).
   • Bonus points may be awarded for undercuts and winning multiple rounds.