This Rummy games glossary
is divided
into 3 parts and is dedicated to avid players around the world. The
first part or introduction is followed by over 100 rummy terms.

One of the frequent terms used with these card games is
meld or
run, therefore, the
definition is explained here, so that you can better understand this
games glossary.
Meld:
is considered to be 3 or more cards which possess the same suit, rank
or that are in a sequence. Example: trio of 10’s or KQJ, all same suit.
Also, known as a Run.
Rummy Games Glossary includes definitions
for Gin Rummy, Canasta, Contract Rummy, Pinochle, Double Rummy, Knock,
Continental, Kalookie and Pan or Panguingue.
Rummy has been one
of the most popular card games globally for a long time because this
card game can be modified easily to accommodate local players in
various cultures. They can modify the wagers, the number of players,
deals and combinations.
A list of several accepted versions of rummy
are Gin Rummy, Contract Rummy, 500 Rum or Pinochle, Double Rummy,
Knock, Continental, Kalookie Rummy Version and Pan or Panguingue.
Kalookie,
also known as Kaluki or Kalooki can be played by two to four
players. Kalookie rummy has almost all the rules of standard
Rummy.
Rummy Games Glossary: Gin
Rummy=3 popular variations.
Straight Gin:
is the same as gin rummy, except players cannot knock.
Celebes Rhum: is
usually played in Southeast Asia and one cannot knock, rather he/she
has to meld all cards using jokers.
Oklahoma Gin:
is the most popular gin rummy version, however with this difference.
The rank of the topmost card of the discard pile=up card decides the
highest number of points needed for a player to knock in that
particular hand.
Rummy Games Glossary:
Canasta
The
basic goal of winning in Canasta is simple--you have to achieve the
highest number of points by melding your cards. This is where the game
differs from most other games wherein going out early or discarding the
end card is of higher importance.
Additionally, Rummy has plenty of local variations globally:
Queen City Rum:
this version makes it necessary for people to go rummy before melding.
No double points are given.
Boat House Rum:
rules are the same except that players are allowed to withdraw two
cards at a time.
Kaluki: this
variation includes two decks with jokers plus large melds and points
for the winner.
All versions mentioned are included in the rummy games glossary.
Rummy Games Glossary: A
- Aces
High: refers to a rummy game in which aces have a higher
point value,
however A-2-3 does not. Alternatively, aces can be both high and low
for some rummy versions.
- Aces Low:
conversely, A-2-3 is valued at 1 point, but not
Q-K-A.
- Add-on:
used to describe a single card that is intentionally discarded to a
player’s opponent for the purposes of adding to a meld. It's tough to
toss, I know.
- Advertising:
otherwise referred to as chumming,
fishing, or baiting, advertising is used to identify the act when a
player intentionally discards a single card in order to cause another
player to discard a single card of a similar rank, suit and/or sequence.
- Angling:
also known as side baiting or sideways fishing and is used to describe
the act of a player intentionally discarding a single card in order to
force another player to discard a single card a single rank away from
the card discarded. Example: player tosses a 10 clubs and opposing
player, thinking that player is not saving 10s, will toss a 10 from
their hand.
- Ante:
bet wagered by all players before the deal. Amount is
determined by all players or posted before tournaments begin.
Rummy Games Glossary: B
- Baiting:
term also known as
advertising,
fishing, tempting or chumming. Jargon refers to
strategic
play to bait an opponent into tossing a card of the same rank or suit.
- Base/Basic:
used to describe the sum of the player’s bonuses rather than the value
of melded cards. This term is used in the Canasta form of
Rummy.
- Blind
Discard: used to describe the moment when a player
discards a card
without any knowledge whether or not another player in the game will
find the card useful.
- Blitz:
another term for shutout. A big time win!
- Block:
defines the act of holding onto a particular card in order to prevent
another player from using that card to meld their cards.
- Box: a
deliberate entry onto a score sheet.
- Box Score:
actual score that a player receives for winning
a deal.
- Boxes:
used to describe awards equivalent to 25 points for
gin, gin off, or a knock.
- Bonus
Box: an additional score one receives when they win the
game of Rummy.
The bonus box is traditionally worth about 25 points.
Rummy Games Glossary: C
- Canasta
Rummy: version of Rummy where seven cards of the same rank
are melded
(a natural canasta). When playing Canasta, if the player has
anywhere from one to three wildcards in his or her hand, it is known as
a mixed canasta.
- Captain:
game contest pitting 1 player against 2 who
alternate their play versus the Captain.
- Combination/Combo:
matched set of two cards that is
completed by a third card deemed suitable. That's a nice fit!
- Concealed
Hand: player’s hand in Canasta and Oklahoma Gin rummy
versions that is
out of the game quickly and has not made any melds.
- Continental
Rummy: this version can be played by a large group of
people. Each
player is dealt 15 cards in sets of threes and the objective of winning
is to form sets and runs from all cards. An exception for this version
is that only sequences are counted in Continental Rummy and not matched
sets.
- Contract
Rummy: this version is perhaps one of
the most played rummy games. A series of about five to seven hands are
dealt and each different hand has its own set of rules that determine
how a player can go out and how one wins the points. Example: a deal
might require a player to have one set and one run before he/she can go
out. Another might require two sequences or two sets, etc.
- Count:
used to describe the point value of particular hands
after subtracting the melded cards’ total.
- Cut:
term for placing the second part of the cut on the
first part, thereby changing the order of the cards after the shuffle.
Rummy
Games Glossary is followed by terms D-N
Rummy
Part 3
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gamerisms Intro
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