What counts as a meld
A set is three or four cards of the same rank. A run is three or more consecutive cards in the same suit. Cards in melds do not count against your deadwood.
Loading game...
Play Gin Rummy Online
Draw, discard, knock, and go gin against a smart AI opponent.
Build sets and runs while keeping deadwood low. Take the discard only when it helps, knock at 10 or less, and chase gin when your hand is clean.
How to play Gin Rummy
- 1Deal ten cards to each player.
- 2Turn one card face up to start the discard pile.
- 3On your turn, draw either the top stock card or the top discard.
- 4After drawing, discard one card.
- 5Sets are three or four cards of the same rank.
- 6Runs are three or more consecutive cards in the same suit.
- 7Unmatched cards count as deadwood: aces are 1, face cards are 10, and number cards use their number.
- 8Knock after discarding when your deadwood is 10 or lower.
- 9Go gin by ending with zero deadwood.
Gin Rummy rules, deadwood scoring, and online strategy
Gin Rummy is a two-player rummy game about improving a ten-card hand one draw at a time. You draw from the face-down stock or the face-up discard pile, then discard one card. The goal is to arrange cards into sets and runs while reducing unmatched card value, called deadwood.
This online Gin Rummy game keeps the table readable. It counts your deadwood, shows the best meld it can find, highlights discard choices, and lets you knock when your deadwood is low enough. If your hand reaches zero deadwood, you go gin and earn a bonus.
People searching for gin rummy, gin rummy online, play gin rummy, or gin rummy rules often need both a playable table and a practical explanation of deadwood. This page includes rules, draw strategy, knock timing, FAQ answers, and links to related rummy games.
Hand size
10 cards
Each player starts with ten cards and improves the hand through draw-discard turns.
Knock
10 or less
You may knock after discarding if your remaining deadwood is 10 points or lower.
Gin
0 deadwood
A clean hand scores the deadwood spread plus a gin bonus.
The draw decision
Taking the discard gives information away but can finish a meld immediately. Drawing from the stock hides your plan and is usually better when the discard does not lower deadwood.
When to knock
Knocking early can protect a lead, but it gives up the chance to go gin. Knock when your deadwood is low and the opponent has been taking useful discards.
Gin Rummy FAQ
More card games to play next
Rummy
Play a broader rummy hand with laying down melds and clearing your hand.
Play NowCribbage
Build counting combinations, peg points, and score a crib.
Play NowCrazy Eights
Match rank or suit, use wild eights, and shed your hand quickly.
Play NowKings in the Corner
Build descending piles around kings in a tactical shedding game.
Play Now