The Game of Rummy 500
Just like most games from the Rummy family of games, Rummy 500 has become a very popular game. Rummy 500 is an advanced variation of the Traditional Rummy game. The game combines different rules making this game exciting and unique.
What is Rummy 500?
How is Rummy 500 different from the much loved Traditional Rummy game?
The similarities are mainly in the game format. Rummy 500 also consists of rounds made up of two or three different moves. Each turn consists of drawing a card and discarding a card. If a player wishes they can make a third move between these two moves of melding cards in the designated melding area (full sequences or build on existing melds). In Rummy 500 sequences can also be made up of sets or runs just like in the other Rummy games such as Kalooki, Gin Rummy, Oklahoma Gin and Traditional Rummy.
How does it differ?
First and foremost is the main goal of the game. The goal of the game is to be the first player to surpass the 500 points limits, and not necessarily to be the first player to get rid of their cards. Point calculation is done at the end of the round where players receive positive points for melds that have been laid down, and negative points for the cards remaining in their hand at the end of the round. At the end of each round all points are tabulated (from all previous rounds) and when a player surpasses the 500 point limit the game is over and that player is declared the winner.
The game of Rummy 500 is designed to be played by 2 - 8 players (5 or more players require a second deck of cards) and this is a main difference from the other Rummy games. A player can choose to draw a card from the stock pile or from the discard pile. You can choose any card from the discard pile and not just the top card. In the case that you choose a card from the discard pile, you must take all of the cards that were discarded after it. Moreover, the game of Rummy 500 has a unique move named "calling Rummy". This move allows players to draw a card discarded by their opponent (not during their turn) as long as the card discarded can be built onto a meld (either a meld that had been laid down, or an unfinished sequence in that players hand). These two moves are what differentiate Rummy 500 from Traditional Rummy and make it a truly suspenseful and exciting game. Go to our Rummy 500 Tips and Strategies page now and learn how to improve your Rummy 500 skills.
