How to Play Rummikub?

Rummikub is a hidden variation of Rummy card games that can be classified as a board game. The game combines the excitement of Rummy with the strategy and fun of Mahjong. Instead of cards, players use tiles and meld them into sets and sequences and eliminate all the tiles from their board.

The gameplay is similar to the online card game app like rummy with the only distinction being the use of tiles instead of cards. It was designed by Ephraim Hertanzo in 1940. The game later went on to become a household name in the United States during the 1970s.

Nowadays, the game is available online and can be played by 2 to 4 players. The rules for Rummikub are simple and bear striking similarities to the online Rummy card game.

In this article, we will go over the Rummikub game rules and how to play Rummikub.

Let’s get started.

Basic Rules for Rummikub

• Rummikub is a tile-based card game that features rules similar to Rummy.
• There are a total of 106 different tiles in the game with different colours like blue, black, red, and orange.
• Each coloured tile has 2 tiles of each number and the numbers range from 1 to 13.
• The last 2 tiles are called the Wild Tiles or The Joker Tiles. These tiles are also available in red and black colour but both serve the same purpose.
• The Joker Tiles can be used to substitute any other tile while making combinations in the game.

The game revolves around melding the tiles to make combinations and sets to discard your tiles. Sets can be categorised into runs and groups. Each set must be at least 3 tiles long.

• Runs: These are sequences of tiles of the same colour, in ascending order. Wrapping over is not allowed under the basic Rummikub game rules.
• Groups: Groups are combinations of the same number with different colours. There are only 4 colours in the game. Each group must have at least 3 tiles and a maximum of 4 tiles.

Setting up the Rummikub Game

• The game starts with each player drawing 14 tiles. The remaining tiles form the draw pile.
• The first step is to play a valid set or sets of tiles that are more than 30 points in value. Players can also play multiple sets in their first turn.
• Once the first move is made, there is no compulsion of playing sets of 30 points.

The Objective of the Rummikub Game

The objective of the game is to win rounds by finishing your tiles before other players. If the round ends with no tiles left in the draw pile and no more valid plays possible, the player with the least amount of tiles wins the game.

The winner announces “Rummikub” when they finish all of their tiles.

Rummikub Rules for Joker

The Joker tiles can be used to substitute any other tile in the game to create a combination. A played Joker tile can’t return to hand. However, they can be substituted to use them in other manipulations.

Rummikub Game Rules: Key Things to Consider

• Time Limit: There is a time limit of 2 minutes for every player per turn. If the player fails to move in the given time, they forfeit their turn and must draw a tile.
• Incomplete Runs: A player who fails to build or manipulate the sets on the table must replace the tiles, take back their tiles, and draw three tiles from the pouch.
• Building on Sets: A player can only build on a set if there are only legitimate sets on the table and there are no loose tiles left at the end of the turn.
• The Joker: There are two Joker in a game that can be used to substitute for a tile in a set. A Joker used in the opening set scores the value of the tile it substitutes.

Final Words

Rummikub is a popular card game for real money in the USA. It is a forgotten Rummy variant but is still widely played all around the world. Nowadays, the popular tile game is available in the form of online applications that have significantly improved the Rummikub gaming experience with 3D visuals and animations. We hope this guide will help you understand the basic rules and gameplay of the Rummikub online game. The rules for Rummikub are simple and straightforward which makes it an ideal game for amateurs and professionals. Familiarise yourself with the Rummikub rules and stun everyone in your next game!