“Deals Rummy” is a unique and challenging variant of Indian Rummy, making it an exciting game to learn and play. Designed typically for two players, Deals Rummy follows a ‘Best of 2’ or ‘Best of 3’ format. The game revolves around a set number of deals, either 2 or 3, and each deal brings a new opportunity for strategy and skill.
In every deal, the first player to make a valid declaration wins with zero points, while the losing player’s points are added up at the end of the deal. Interestingly, it's not about how many individual deals you win; the ultimate winner is the one with the fewest points after all the deals are played.
Deals Rummy stands out as the most challenging version of the game because it's a one-on-one duel of wits and strategy. Winning here requires sharp skills and thoughtful planning. If you’re ready to dominate the table, read on for some expert Deals Rummy tips and strategies.
Deals Rummy is played by two players with either one or two packs of cards, each containing one printed Joker card. There is typically a set fee to enter a Deals game.
In Deals Rummy, the main objective is to defeat a single opponent over a series of '2' or '3' deals and accumulate the fewest points possible by the end of each deal.
Your task is to organize your 13 cards into valid sets and sequences and minimize the number of ungrouped cards. According to the rules, a valid declaration requires at least two sequences, with one of them being a pure sequence. The player who successfully declares first and achieves the game's objective wins, earning zero penalty points.
It's important to note that in Deals Rummy, players are not allowed to drop out of the game.
Before the game begins, a toss is conducted to determine which player makes the first move. The player with the highest card dealt wins the toss and gets the initial opportunity to draw a card from the deck. The player to their left is designated as the ‘Dealer.’
After the toss, both decks of cards are combined and thoroughly shuffled. Each player is then dealt 13 cards in a cyclical manner. The remaining cards are placed face down in the center of the table, forming the ‘Closed Deck.’ Next, the joker is selected. Following this, the topmost card from the deck is turned face up and placed in the ‘Open Deck,’ signaling the start of the game.
The Joker is the most important card in the deck. It can be crucial in determining the winner of the game. Jokers can be used as a substitute for any card in the game. This makes it a very versatile and valuable card. Continue reading our Deals Rummy tips to make the most of this card.
Once all players have been dealt their cards, one card is selected at random from the Closed Deck. This is the ‘Wild’ or ‘Cut’ Joker. All cards of the same ‘number’ or ‘face’ of any suit are then considered a wild Joker. For example, if 4♦ is selected as the wild joker, 4♥, 4♣, and 4♠ will also be the wild jokers of that game.
If the Printed Joker is cut, then the Aces of every suit can be used as the Wild Joker.
In a two-pack game, this brings the total number of jokers to 12 (8 Wild Jokers and 4 Printed Jokers)
Wild Jokers may be used as a ‘Joker’ or as the original printed card in a Pure Sequence.
K♠-Q♠-J♠ (WJ): Here, “J” is the wild joker. However, it has been used as the J♠ to complete a Pure Sequence.
4♥-5♥(WJ)-6♥-7♥: Although 5♥ is the wild joker, it has been used to connect 4♥, 6♥ and 7♥ to create a Pure Sequence.
Avoid using jokers to create sets as they can be used more efficiently elsewhere.
Once the table is set and the joker has been chosen, the game begins, and it's time to put your Deals Rummy skills into action. The winner of the toss draws a card from the center of the table, evaluates whether it helps complete their hand, and discards a card they don’t need. Play then continues in a clockwise direction around the table.
While playing, focus on quickly minimizing the points in your hand. You can achieve this by creating valid sets and sequences and discarding unmelded cards.
A Sequence is formed by melding three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. Sequences can either be Pure or Impure.
A “Pure Sequence” is one in which no joker has been used to complete the run. See the examples below:
5♥ 6♥ 7♥ (Pure sequence with three cards and no Joker or wild card)
3♠ 4♠ 5♠ 6♠ (Pure sequence with four cards. There is no use of Joker or wild cards here)
In an “Impure Sequence”, one or more jokers can be used to complete the run.
6♦ 7♦ Q♠ 9♦ (Here Q♠ has been used as a wild Joker replacing 8♦ to form an impure sequence)
5♠ Q♥ 7♠ 8♠ PJ (Impure sequence with Q♥ as the wild joker, replacing 6♠ and the Printed Joker, replacing 9♠)
A “Set” is a grouping of three or more cards of the same number or face value of different suits. Jokers can be used to complete any set.
Examples of sets:
Some important points to be noted:
You cannot repeat a suit in a single set. This makes it invalid.
Example of invalid sets: A♥ A♣ A♥ (The A♥ is used twice, thus making this an invalid set)
A set typically contains only four cards. The only time more than four cards can form a set is if jokers are used.
Once you have melded all 13 cards into valid sequences and sets, you may declare for the win. To Declare successfully, you must fulfill the following conditions:
You can only Declare at your turn. This is why you should arrange your cards and keep track of which cards will complete your hand. You will have just 30 seconds to decide, rearrange and declare for the game.
To Declare, select the card you want to discard and click the ‘Declare’ button. This card will be placed face down in the ‘Closed Card’ space. Your hand will then be evaluated. If you have a valid hand, you will be declared the winner. Your opponent will be given 30 seconds to rearrange their cards and Declare their hands. Points are then calculated and assigned.
If another player has declared before you, take the time to rearrange your cards and minimize the number of points. Sometimes, in the heat of the game, you may not notice that there is a more efficient way to form sequences and sets that will drastically reduce your points.
If you declare without a valid hand, you will be assigned 80 points and be dropped out of the game. The game will continue until someone else successfully declares. Therefore, be very sure your card melds before showing it to your hand.
In Points Rummy, the player who meets the game's objective and finishes first is declared the winner and earns a score of 0 points. Since there is no ‘Drop’ option in Deals Rummy, you have to play until one of you Declare. If you declare without meeting the game's objective, you incur a high penalty of 80 points.
The scoring system in Deals Rummy is the same as other variants of Indian rummy. Face cards, such as Jacks, Queens, Kings, and Aces, each carry 10 points, while all other numbered cards are worth their face value in points (e.g., a 7 of any suit is worth 7 points, and a 3 is worth 3 points). Joker cards, as usual, are considered as having zero points in this scoring system. At the end of the game, the losing player's hand score is computed by adding points for cards that are not part of grouped sets and sequences. However, there are specific exceptions in this calculation:
In Deals Rummy, your points are capped at a maximum of 80 points, regardless of the actual value of the cards you hold. This limitation ensures a fair and balanced scoring system, preventing you from accumulating an excessive penalty.
In Deals Rummy, there is an entry fee for each game. This forms the ‘Prize money’ of the game. At the end of the game, the winner walks away with the entire prize money.
Winnings = (Entry Fee) X (No. of participants (i.e. 2)) - (Taj Rummy platform fees)
The net winnings, after deducting Taj Rummy platform fees, are then credited to the winner's Taj Rummy account.
There is no Drop Option in Deals Rummy.
The absence of this option, makes it a challenging game, as players are committed to completing the predefined number of deals, regardless of the circumstances. This can make the gameplay more intense as there is no escape from the hand you're dealt.
Furthermore, if you happen to miss five consecutive turns during the game, an automatic drop is enforced. In this case, you will receive a score equal to your hand score. This is capped at a maximum of 80 points.
Deals Rummy can be a mentally challenging game as it forces you to play out the game irrespective of the cards you have been dealt. Here are some strategies to help you navigate this:
Ready to play like a pro? Download the Taj Rummy apk from our official website, Google Play Store (for Android), or App Store (for iOS) to get started.
Note: While these tips aim to help you improve, remember that success isn't guaranteed. Taj Rummy encourages responsible gaming and does not assure specific outcomes from following these tips.
You can reach out to Taj Rummy's support team 24/7 for the best rummy experience. Contact our customer support team using your registered email ID at support@tajrummy.com to address any concerns or issues. Rest assured, our representatives will respond promptly to assist you.
Disclaimer: This game has the potential to become habit-forming or financially risky. Please play responsibly.
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