Game guide · BJHRWTGDGC
A practical guide to Gin Rummy
Keep the active rule in mind. Build sets and same-suit runs in a ten-card hand, then knock with 10 or fewer deadwood points or go Gin with none. Use another round to revisit a decision. Treat this as a chance to practise one rule. The game uses a single 52-card deck with no jokers. Both players receive 10 cards. Aces are low and count 1. Return to the explanation when a decision is unclear.
Two-player game against a computer. Fixed house scoring: 25-point Gin and undercut bonuses; first to 100, no line/game bonus. The starting player alternates each hand. Big Gin is not included. Current hands save locally.
A small practice goal
Take a moment to read the table. The starting player may take the upcard or pass. If both players pass, the starter must draw from the stock. Check the relevant controls before continuing.
What the game asks you to do
Build sets and same-suit runs in a ten-card hand, then knock with 10 or fewer deadwood points or go Gin with none. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer. Before making a move, check the cards in view.
Start here and follow along
- The game uses a single 52-card deck with no jokers. Both players receive 10 cards. Aces are low and count 1.
- The starting player may take the upcard or pass. If both players pass, the starter must draw from the stock.
- Draw one card, then select a different discard when you took from the discard pile. Melds stay in your hand during play.
- Choose Knock / Gin with a selected discard. After discarding, deadwood must be 10 or less. Otherwise continue playing.
- Against a knock, the defender may group cards and lay off unmatched cards on the knocker’s melds. No layoffs are allowed against Gin.
- Gin earns 25 plus defender deadwood. A successful knock earns the difference. A defender with an equal or lower count undercuts for 25 plus the difference.
- The first player to reach 100 points wins this match. There are no additional line or end-of-match bonuses. A stock reduced to two cards ends a non-knocking hand with no score.
The controls to know
Tap a card to select it. Use the labelled pile and action buttons. Sort by rank or suit; the hand wraps onto additional rows on a phone. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer. Treat this as a chance to practise one rule.
An example before you play
A knocker with 8 deadwood against a defender with 5 after layoffs is undercut: the defender scores 25 + 8 − 5 = 28. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer.
Check this before moving on
Use the rule sheet as a reference. Q–K–A is not a Gin run: Aces are low. A defender cannot lay off against Gin, and a picked-up discard cannot be returned on the same turn. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer.
Further help with the game
What is the aim?
Build sets and same-suit runs in a ten-card hand, then knock with 10 or fewer deadwood points or go Gin with none. For a calm first round, focus on one decision. Check the relevant controls before continuing.
How do I use the controls?
Tap a card to select it. Use the labelled pile and action buttons. Sort by rank or suit; the hand wraps onto additional rows on a phone. Before making a move, check the cards in view. Use another round to revisit a decision.
Which format is available?
Two-player game against a computer. Fixed house scoring: 25-point Gin and undercut bonuses; first to 100, no line/game bonus. The starting player alternates each hand. Big Gin is not included. Current hands save locally. Treat this as a chance to practise one rule. Take the next action only when the current step is clear.
What should I check before a move?
Q–K–A is not a Gin run: Aces are low. A defender cannot lay off against Gin, and a picked-up discard cannot be returned on the same turn. Keep the active rule in mind. Use another round to revisit a decision.
Can you give an example?
A knocker with 8 deadwood against a defender with 5 after layoffs is undercut: the defender scores 25 + 8 − 5 = 28. For a calm first round, focus on one decision. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer.
When may I knock?
After drawing, select the card you would discard. The remaining 10 cards must have no more than 10 deadwood points. For a calm first round, focus on one decision. Use another round to revisit a decision.
How much is an Ace?
An Ace is worth 1 and only starts a run: A–2–3 is valid, Q–K–A is not. Begin with the objective. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer.
What happens on a deadwood tie?
Unless the knocker went Gin, a tie is an undercut; the defender scores the 25-point bonus. Before making a move, check the cards in view. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer.
Are layoffs automatic?
Yes. The result searches the defender’s legal groups and possible extensions to find the least remaining deadwood. Take a moment to read the table. Return to the explanation when a decision is unclear.
Can a hand end without a winner?
Yes. When the stock is reduced to two and the active player ends the turn without knocking, the hand has no score. Look at the complete hand before deciding. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer.