How to play Rummy 500

Objective

Create sets and runs of cards to score points over successive rounds until someone reaches 500 points at the end of the round. The player with the highest score wins!

Setup

• Games use one deck of cards, no jokers.
• In 2 player games, players start with 13 cards. In 3–4 player games, players start with 7 cards.
• One card starts in the Discard Pile.
• The player after the dealer in turn order takes the first turn of the round, and becomes the dealer for the next round, if applicable.

Turn

• Start your turn with a Draw from the Stock or the Discard Pile.
  • If you draw the top card of the Discard Pile, you cannot Discard that card this turn.
  • If you draw beneath the top card of the Discard Pile, you must Meld or Lay off that card. The rest of the above cards go to your hand.
• You may Meld or Lay off cards. To Meld, select 3 or more cards in a set or a run. To Lay off, select a card to continue any existing melded set or run.
• End your turn with a Discard if your hand isn’t empty.

Melds

• Sets: 3–4 cards of the same rank.
• Runs: 3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit.
  • Ace can be high (after King) or low (before 2).
  • Runs may not wrap around (no K-A-2).

Ending a round

A round ends when:

• A player discards their final card.
• The Stock is empty and a player cannot make a legal draw from the Discard Pile.

Scoring

Rummy Dummy uses traditional scoring for cards played:

• 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 are worth their face value in points.
• Jack, Queen, and King are worth 10 points.
• Ace is worth 1 point low and 15 points high.

The total score value of the cards in a player’s hand is subtracted from their score for cards played:

• Aces in hand are always worth 15 points.
• This may result in a negative score.

Winning

To win a game, have the highest score greater than or equal to 500 (or 250, when applicable) at the end of a round. If two or more players tie for the highest score, everyone plays another round to break the tie.