How to play Gin Rummy
Gin Rummy is a two-player card game of drawing, discarding and melding. Build sets and runs, knock when your deadwood is 10 or less and be first to the target score. Play Gin or 13-card Rummy (for 2 to 4 players) free against friendly bots or friends.
Play Gin Rummy freeGin Rummy at a glance
- Players
- 2 (Gin) or 2–4 (13-card)
- Cards
- One 52-card deck, 10 each in Gin
- Goal
- First to 100 points
- Game length
- About 10–20 minutes
How to play Gin Rummy
Draw
Take the top card from the deck or from the discard pile.
Meld
Group cards into sets of the same rank and runs in the same suit.
Knock
When your unmatched cards total 10 or less, knock to end the hand.
Complete Gin Rummy rules
Setup
Deal 10 cards to each player. Turn the next card face up to start the discard pile. The rest of the deck is the stock.
Your turn
Draw the top card of the stock or the discard pile, then discard one card. Sets are three or four cards of the same rank. Runs are three or more cards in a row in the same suit. Aces are low.
Knocking and gin
Knock when your unmatched cards (deadwood) add up to 10 or less. Lay out your melds, and your opponent may lay off cards onto them. Going gin means every card is melded, and nobody can lay off.
Scoring
Face cards count 10, Aces 1 and number cards their value. The knocker scores the difference in deadwood. If the opponent’s deadwood is equal or lower, they undercut you and score the difference plus 25. Gin scores a 25-point bonus. First to 100 wins.
Tips to win at Gin Rummy
- Watch the discard pile to guess which cards your opponent is collecting.
- Get rid of high unmatched cards early. Face cards cost 10 points each.
- Knock early when your deadwood is low instead of always waiting for gin.
Ways to play Gin Rummy
Gin Rummy
10 cards each. Knock with 10 or fewer deadwood points.
13-card Rummy
Two decks with jokers. Declare with two runs, one without a joker.
Straight Gin
No knocking. Only a full gin ends the hand.
Play by your house rules
- VariantGin Rummy13-card
- Points to win100250
- Big gin bonusOnOff
- Bot levelEasyMediumHard
About Gin Rummy
Gin Rummy grew out of older rummy games and became a craze in the United States in the first half of the 20th century. 13-card Rummy is one of the most played card games across South Asia.
Rules reviewed by the tavlo.gg game team · Updated October 10, 2026Questions about Gin Rummy
What is the difference between Gin Rummy and 13-card Rummy?
What does going gin mean?
Can I play with friends?
Is Gin Rummy free to play?
Can I play Gin Rummy on my phone?
- What is the difference between Gin Rummy and 13-card Rummy?
- Gin Rummy deals 10 cards each, and you end a hand by knocking. In 13-card Rummy you need two runs, one of them without a joker, before you can declare.
- What does going gin mean?
- Going gin means every card in your hand is part of a set or run. You score a 25-point bonus, and your opponent can’t lay off.
- Can I play with friends?
- Yes. Pick Friends to open a room for 2 players in Gin, or for up to 4 in 13-card Rummy.
- Is Gin Rummy free to play?
- Yes. Gin Rummy is free in your browser, with no download and no sign-up. You can start as a guest, and your progress saves on this device.
- Can I play Gin Rummy on my phone?
- Yes. Gin Rummy runs in any phone or tablet browser, with touch controls and nothing to install.