Gin Rummy
A classic two-player card game where players collect sets and runs while trying to minimize deadwood (unmatched cards). The goal is to 'knock' when your deadwood value is low enough, or 'gin' with no deadwood at all.
What You'll Need
About This Game
A classic two-player card game where players collect sets and runs while trying to minimize deadwood (unmatched cards). The goal is to 'knock' when your deadwood value is low enough, or 'gin' with no deadwood at all.
How to Play
**Setup:** Deal 10 cards each. Start discard pile with one face-up card.
**Gameplay:**
- Draw from stock or take top discard
- Meld sets (3-4 same rank) or runs (3+ sequential same suit) - but keep them in your hand
- Discard one card
**Knocking:** When unmelded cards total 10 or less, you may "knock":
- Lay down melds, show deadwood (unmelded cards)
- Opponent lays down and may lay off on your melds
**Gin:** Knocking with 0 deadwood = Gin (25 bonus points)
**Scoring:** Knocker scores difference in deadwood. If opponent has less, they "undercut" (10 bonus).
**Winning:** First to 100 points.
Where to Buy
History & Background
Gin Rummy was invented in 1909 by Elwood T. Baker, a whist teacher from Brooklyn, New York, along with his son C. Graham Baker. They created it as a faster alternative to standard Rummy.
The name "Gin" reportedly came from the alcoholic theme of related card games like Rum (Rummy) - Baker wanted a name in the same spirit. The game was originally called "Gin Poker."
Gin Rummy became hugely popular during the 1930s and 1940s, particularly among the Hollywood elite. Stars like the Marx Brothers played regularly on movie sets, and the game became synonymous with celebrity culture.
During the Depression and WWII, Gin Rummy was played extensively in America - it was cheap entertainment requiring only a deck of cards. The game's popularity declined with the rise of television but experienced revivals and remains one of the most played two-player card games worldwide.