🎯 Objective
The objective of Gin Rummy is to form your hand into valid combinations ("melds") and reduce the total value of your unmatched cards ("deadwood") to as few points as possible. The first player to reach the agreed-upon score (usually 100 points) across multiple rounds wins the game.
🃏 Card Values
| Card |
Point Value |
| Ace (A) |
1 point |
| 2 through 9 |
Face value (2-9 points) |
| 10, Jack, Queen, King |
10 points each |
🎮 How to Play
- The Deal — Each player is dealt 10 cards from a standard 52-card deck. The remaining cards form the draw pile (stock). The top card of the stock is placed face-up to start the discard pile.
- Taking Turns — On your turn, you must first draw one card — either the top card of the discard pile or the top card of the stock. Then, you must discard one card face-up onto the discard pile. Your goal each turn is to improve your hand by forming melds.
- Forming Melds — Two types of valid melds:
- Sets (Groups): Three or four cards of the same rank (e.g., 7♠ 7♥ 7♦)
- Runs (Sequences): Three or more consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 4♥ 5♥ 6♥)
- A card can only belong to one meld at a time.
- Knocking — When your deadwood totals 10 points or fewer, you may "knock" to end the round. Lay your melds face-up and place your deadwood separately. Your opponent then lays off their melds and may add their unmatched cards ("lay off") onto your melds if possible.
- Going Gin — If you can form melds with ALL 10 of your cards (zero deadwood), you "Go Gin!" This is the best possible outcome for a round and earns you a bonus. When you go Gin, your opponent cannot lay off cards.
- Ending the Round — After knocking or going Gin, both players' deadwood is compared. The player with fewer deadwood points wins the round and scores the difference.
💡 Pro Tip
You don't have to knock as soon as you can. Sometimes it's worth playing a few more turns to try for Gin — the 25-point bonus is a huge advantage! Check out our strategy guide for more tips on when to knock vs. play on.
⚖️ Special Rules
- Undercut: If the knocker's opponent has equal or fewer deadwood points, the opponent scores the difference plus a 25-point undercut bonus. Always check your deadwood carefully before knocking!
- Gin Bonus: Going Gin earns the winner the deadwood difference plus a 25-point Gin bonus. See the full scoring breakdown for details.
- Big Gin: Some variants award a 31-point bonus if you go Gin using all 11 cards (the drawn card included, without discarding). Learn more about Gin Rummy variations.