Rummy 500 is one of the most popular forms of rummy. It is easy to learn and even easier to play online. Rummy 500 is played with one deck of 52 cards and up to two jokers or two decks and up to four jokers for more than five players.
The goal of rummy 500 is to be the first player to collect 500 points.
Game Play
The object of the game is to score points by laying down and laying off cards. Cards are played in matched sets of three or four, and in sequences of three or more cards of the same suit (some play starting at four or more cards of the same suit). Aces can be played as high or low. Aces in runs may be played after the king or before the two card.
The remaining non-dealt cards are placed face down to form the stock. The top card is turned face up and placed beside the stock to start the discard pile. In Rummy 500 the discard pile is slightly spread, so that players can see all the cards in it. Each player in turn, beginning with the player to the left of the dealer, may draw either the top card of the stock or any card from the discard pile. There are three conditions when drawing a card from the discard pile:
- The player must take all the cards on top of the selected card.
- The card so drawn must immediately be used, either by laying it down in a set or by laying it off on a set already on the table.
- Once a card is picked up, either of the stock or the pile, it is final and no other cards may be picked up. The remaining cards taken with the discard may be melded in the same turn or simply added to the player’s hand.
Each player in turn, after drawing but before discarding, may lay down any matched set or may lay off any card that matches a set already on the table. Cards that are laid off are kept on the table in front of the player. The player ends his turn by discarding a single card from his hand. Sequences may not “go ’round the corner”; thus, Q K A or A 2 3 may be melded, but not K A 2.
If jokers are used in the game, they are treated as wild cards and can represent any card the player chooses even if that card is already used in another meld.
The game is over when one player has no cards in his or her hand and either by melding or laying off all cards or when there are no cards left in the stock pile. Players receive no bonus for finishing first.
Scoring
Points are counted at the end of each hand. Standard point values are listed below. Players receive positive points for cards in melds played. Players receive negative points for cards left in there hand. Negative point values may vary slightly, and count against your score.
- 2-9: Face value or 5 points (depends on rules used).
- J,Q,K: 10 points (Fairly standard rule).
- Ace: 11, unless used in a low run then 1 or 15 and 5 for low run (depends on rules used).
- Joker: Point value of card it replaces, or 15 points (depends on rules used).
After each hand scores are tallied and added to the previous total. The first player to surpass 500 wins. If two players surpass 500 in the same round the higher score wins. If no player is over 500 points another hand is played.
If you know the game you can fly through this tutorial so you understand the online format. If you need to learn the game, take a little longer and get the finer points. After the tutorial you will be prompted to download the game. Do this and you can get started playing right away. You will have to sign up for an account, and confirm your email address. Then you can play online rummy live with other people.