Why Rummy is a Game of Skill?

January 8, 2021 70 0 0

Rummy is one of the most popular and common card games that millions of players enjoy. Have you come across flashing advertisements saying ‘play rummy online, win real cash prize’? On seeing such ads, you may have thought – is rummy a game of luck or skill?

This debate has gone on for a very long time and it is time to squash all stereotypes and tell you why rummy is a game of skill (even the Supreme Court of India agrees!).

1. Consider the nature of the game 

Indian rummy has a strong foundation of regulations and rules, and players have to abide by them. It is a game where you’ll be dealt cards and you need to meld cards into valid sequences and sets. If you can meld all the cards, you win.

Since the cards are properly shuffled before being dealt, the odds of getting the same hand twice is diminished. Therefore, you cannot play with the same strategy every time. You need to possess the right skills to win the game.

2. Specific skills are required to play and win the game

To become an expert rummy player, one needs to possess mathematical and analytical skills. Without these skills, neither can you comprehend the probability of cards nor understand their possible sequences. Also, these skills will help you to quickly change your game plan according to the cards that you’ve been dealt with.

3. An excellent memory is a requirement

You cannot become a rummy expert if your memory is poor. Why? Because you have to remember the multiple regulations and rules of the game. Furthermore, you have to remember the mistakes that you’ve made in your past games so that you don’t repeat the same mistakes.

What’s more, you have to be aware of the moves of your opponent players as from the cards that they are discarding or drawing, you’ll get an idea of what they are planning.

4. There’s no place for luck

As explained earlier, when you are playing Indian rummy, you are bound by the rules of the game and you have to depend on your skills alone to win. Rummy is not like those games where you simply have to spin the wheel or roll the dice. In this game, the element of luck or chance is only limited to the dealing of cards at the very start of the game. This is the only thing that you cannot control.

However, the cards are extensively shuffled before they’re dealt. This ensures that there’s no room for unfairness and the odds are the same for all the players and winning is based on the players’ skills.

5. Strategizing is crucial to winning the game 

Rummy is a game that is all about strategies. As you’ll be dealt 13 cards, you have to sort them out into viable combinations. Then, you have to come up with a plan to discard the cards that you don’t need while acquiring valuable cards so that your hand is complete. Additionally, you have to strategize properly to lower the chances of your opponents winning the game. Another important aspect of rummy is devising a plan to fool and trick the opponent players.

6. Possessing a focused and calm mind will help you win 

Training your mind to become a rummy expert is also a must-have skill. If you are nervous, anxious, or too excited, you are bound to make sloppy mistakes. You will end up picking the wrong cards and your score will become sky-high. But, if your mind is still and calm, you’ll be capable of noticing the opportunities and openings and use your rummy knowledge to win.

If rummy was really a game of luck or chance, people would be winning big even on days when they’re exhausted or stressed. But, only those people win whose minds are sharp and focused.

7. Time is a vital factor 

When you’re playing rummy, you are not given unlimited time to create valid sequences and sets. For your every move, there is a timer. Moreover, your opponents are also trying to create sequences and sets before you. To win, you have to meld the cards before everyone else. Unless you have a calm mind and the right skills, the ticking timer might easily distract and startle you.

8. Emotional maturity is also a must 

Emotional maturity means the ability to control your emotions in stressful situations. In rummy, you’re going to experience difficult moments like, receiving unfavorable cards, losing a string of games, or slipping up in making the right decision. But, you must try to keep your emotions under your control. If your emotions get the better of you, you’ll end up ruining the game and squander away your chances of winning.

Simple tips and tricks to play rummy 

Since rummy is not about luck and you need skills to become an expert, here are a few easy pointers to get you started:

• Form the pure sequence first
• Never stop counting your points so that even if you know that you’re losing, you are not losing by having an extremely high score
• If you cannot use the high-value cards to form sequences and sets, discard them
• Joker cards are important and you need to hold on to them. They can become a part of missing cards and help you to complete a sequence or set.
• If you don’t have any Joker cards and most of your cards are high-value cards, the best decision will be to drop out if you’re playing cash rummy. But, if you’re playing free rummy, continue playing. You will learn the game even though you have a bad hand.
• Be extremely aware of the cards that your opponents are discarding and picking.

Rummy is a game that requires a lot of patience, practice, and talent to win. This is why this game is purely about skills and knowing how to play rummy well is of course the way to go!

Further reading: online rummy, play rummy online, rummy Categories: Contest Zone