In two player rummy, each player gets ten cards. Starting with the player to the dealer's left, cards are dealt clockwise, face down, one at a time. The dealer then puts the rest of the deck, face down, between the players. This forms the stock pile. A single card is then drawn and placed face up next to the stack. This is called the discard pile. In three or four player games, seven cards are dealt to each player. Five or six players may also play, in which case each player receives six cards.

The Play
Each player draws a card from the stock or the discard pile. The player may then meld or lay off, which are both optional, before discarding.

Melding
If a player has three cards of the same suit in a sequence, they may meld by laying these cards, face up, in front of them. However, they may have no more than four cards in a sequence. It is rule that if you can meld then you must. Likewise, if they have at least three of the same value, they may meld a group (also called a set or a book). Melding is optional. A player may choose, for reasons of strategy, not to meld on a particular turn. The most important reason is to be able to declare "Rummy" later in the game!



Discarding
Finally, after any melds or lay offs, the player must discard a single card to the discard pile, face up. The only condition is that it not be the card that they drew from the discard pile on the same turn. They may, however, return it on the next turn. In addition, if they drew from the stock instead of the discard pile, they are allowed to return that card in the same turn. In this way, the discard pile changes every turn.

If the player discards (last card in hand, or even by mistake) and leaves a sequence on the discard pile, or on the board it is considered a rummy on the board, and any of the players,excluding the player that discarded can call it, and pick up the card(s) that complete the sequence. If the sequence or cards in the sequence are in the Run, then the player calling "rummy on the board" must take the cards that are involved in the sequence including the discard run up to that card.

Going Out
When a player has gotten rid of all of their cards, they win the hand. There are two variations. Either the player must discard the last remaining card in their hand on the last turn, or they need not. Playing with this rule makes ending a hand slightly more difficult.

If a player is able to meld all of their cards at once, they may say "Rummy" on their turn and go out. To declare Rummy, a player must not have melded or laid off any cards prior during the hand. If playing with the discard rule, they must also discard after melding. Playing for Rummy is more risky, but it carries the reward of double the score. Each player must wait until their second turn to go out.