Points & Scoring System in Rummy Games

Rummy has been the most popular card game in the Indian subcontinent for generations. Rummy is Played between two to six players with one or two standard decks of cards (including printed Joker cards), the rummy rules are pretty straightforward and easy to comprehend.

RummyBo has made a comprehensive guide to help you understand the Rummy Points system of each rummy variant which will turn you into an expert Cash Rummy player in minutes. Also if you are new to check out the ultimate guide on How to Play Rummy and Rummy Rules.

How Does the Scoring System Work in The Game of Rummy?

In Rummy, each card holds a specific point value determined as follows: The Jack (J), Queen (Q), King (K), and Ace (A) of any suit are assigned 10 points each. The remaining numbered cards carry points equivalent to their face value. For instance, an 8 card is worth 8 points, a 7 card is worth 7 points, and so forth. Remember, a Printed Joker/Wild Joker is assigned 0 points.

Basic Rules to Know for Point Calculation

Example: Ajay and Bijay are playing a points rummy game. Ajay makes a valid declaration and wins the game. This is how their points will be calculated:

Ajay’s hand:

Since Ajay made a valid declaration, he is the winner of the game. His total points are 0.

Bijay’s hand:

Only points of unmatched cards will be counted. Since Bijay has created one pure sequence, one impure sequence and one set, his total points will be counted from J♠️Q♠️9♦️, which is 10+10+9 = 29 points.

How Points are Calculated for Losing Players

Losing players will get penalised with points. Here’s a breakdown of how the points are calculated:

1. Invalid Declaration: Players who make an invalid declaration in a rummy game will be penalised a maximum points of 80 (irrespective of the cards in the player’s hand).
2. Losing Player with a Valid Hand: The second player to declare a right-hand gets a penalty of 2 points only. E.g: if your opponent makes a valid declaration first and you also have a valid hand, you will be penalised two points.
3. First Drop: Quitting the game before or during your first move without picking a card is called a first drop. The penalty points for a first drop are 20 in a points rummy game.
4. Middle Drop: If you quit a rummy game any time after the first turn, you will get a penalty of 40 points. If you miss 3 consecutive turns, you will be automatically dropped out of the game and will be penalised 40 points.
5. Leave Table: If you quit after picking a card, you will get a middle drop and get a penalty of 40 points.

Rummy Points System for Indian Rummy Variants

The Indian Rummy game has mainly 3 variations -- Points Rummy, Deals Rummy, and Pool Rummy. Players can now play the different variants of rummy games at the vibrant tables of rummybo Rummy. So, before starting, let’s sharpen your Rummy knowledge in order to win big.

Points & Scoring System for Points Rummy Game

Points Rummy is played between 2 to 6 players who play for points after pre-deciding the rupee value. The game is played with two standard decks of cards with jokers and the goal is to make two sequences where one pure sequence is mandatory. The remaining cards can be a combination of sequences/sets. The game ends when a player makes a valid declaration and gets a score of zero. The scores of other players are calculated based on the number of unmatched cards.

One of the most important things to remember while playing Points Rummy is that your declaration must always consist of at least two sequences, out of which one has to be a pure sequence. Also, rummy sets cannot have the same card with the same suit twice. E.g: the set of 8♠️-8♠️-8♣️ is invalid as it has two 8♠️.

What is Point Value?

Point Value refers to the rupee value of 1 point on the table. If the point value is 1 on a table it means, 1 point is worth ₹1.

When to Drop?

If a player drops on their first turn or is automatically dropped from the game, they lose 20 points. If a player drops after their first turn, they lose 40 points. The Drop option is used by a player when he/she feels less confident about winning or gets a weaker hand. This way a player tends to minimise their penalty points when they lose.

Remember: If a player misses 3 consecutive turns, he/she is dropped automatically from the game.

How Winning is Calculated in Points Rummy?

Winnings = Sum of Points of all Opponents x Point Value - rummybo Rummy Fee For Example Mr A, Mr B and Mr C are playing a match of points rummy with a point value of Rs 0.1. Mr A wins and declares. Mr. B scores 10 points and Mr. C scores 20 points.

Deduction from Mr B’s balance- 10*0.1= Rs. 1

Deduction from Mr C’s balance- 20*0.1= Rs. 2

Addition to Mr A’s balance- Rs. 1+2-Rake

In a 6-player game of points value of Rs. 4, players 2-6 (assuming you are player 1) loses with 45, 78, 23, 20 and 40 respectively. The winnings will then be calculated as 4x (45+78+23+20+40) = Rs. 824 - rummybo Rummy Fee.

Points & Scoring System for Pools Rummy Game

In a game of Pool Rummy, all the players at a table pay a fixed entry fee which forms the prize pool. A player is eliminated once their score reaches the maximum limit of points on the table - 101 Points Pool or 201 Points Pool - depending on the version. The player who remains till the last is the winner.

A player must pick up cards purposefully to either create a rummy sequence or a set. At the end of the game, a player must have the least points possible. When you create a sequence or a set, you get awarded 0 points. Other players receive points based on the cards they hold in their hands.

Remember, Pool Rummy, has two versions – 101 and 201 Pool Rummy games.

101 Pool Rummy

In this Pool Rummy format, the objective is to make your opponents exceed 101 points. Once a player accumulates 101 points, they are eliminated from the game. Achieving this goal may involve playing multiple rounds of the game.

201 Pool Rummy

Very similar to 101 Pool, in this version of online rummy, all the players get eliminated as soon as they collect 201 points each. In the end, the one with the least points wins!

When to Drop?

If a player drops on their first turn or is automatically dropped from the game, they lose 20 points. If a player drops after their first turn, they lose 40 points. The Drop option is used by a player when he/she feels less confident about winning or gets a weaker hand. This way a player tends to minimise their penalty points when they lose.

Remember: If a player misses 3 consecutive turns, he/she is dropped automatically from the game.

Split Option

Split option allows the winning amount in a pool game to be split among more than 1 player if all players left in the game agree.

How Winning is Calculated in Pool Rummy?

Winnings = Number of Players x Entry Fee - rummybo Rummy Fee

Example: In a 6-player game of Pool Rummy with an entry fee of Rs. 5, the winning prize will be calculated as 6 x 5 (entry free) = 30 - rummybo Rummy Fee.

Points & Scoring System for Deals Rummy Game

One of the most popular variants of the Rummy game is Deals Rummy which is played for a fixed number of deals (the number of deals is equal to the number of players on the table). At the start of the game, all the players are given fixed points, and each player is distributed 13 cards. A wildcard joker is then selected, and a system-generated toss is made to choose which player will make the first move. To form the open deck, the first card from the pack is positioned facing upwards, while the remaining cards are placed facing downwards to form the closed deck.

At the end of every deal, the winner wins chips from the losing player(s) depending on their score. At the end of the game, the player with the maximum chips wins the game.

What is the Entry Fee?

Players pay a fixed entry fee to play a game of Deals Rummy which is used to form the prize pool. But no worries if you are new to Rummy and scared about playing with real cash. At rummybo Rummy, sharpen your Rummy skills by playing free practice games daily.

When to Drop?

If a player drops on their first turn or is automatically dropped from the game, they lose 20 points. If a player drops after their first turn, they lose 40 points. The Drop option is used by a player when he/she feels less confident about winning or gets a weaker hand. This way a player tends to minimize their penalty points when they lose.

Remember: If a player misses 3 consecutive turns, he/she is dropped automatically from the game.

How Winning is Calculated in Deals Rummy?

Winnings = Number of Players x Entry Fee of the Game - rummybo Rummy Fee In a game of 6 players with an entry fee of Rs. 5, winnings will be calculated as 6 x 5 (entry fee) = 30 - rummybo Rummy Fee.