Game guide · KP028
Know the goal in Gin Rummy
Keep the active rule in mind. Build sets and same-suit runs in a ten-card hand, then knock with 10 or fewer deadwood points or go Gin with none. Use another round to revisit a decision. Keep the active rule in mind. The game uses a single 52-card deck with no jokers. Both players receive 10 cards. Aces are low and count 1. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer.
Two-player game against a computer. Fixed house scoring: 25-point Gin and undercut bonuses; first to 100, no line/game bonus. The starting player alternates each hand. Big Gin is not included. Current hands save locally.
A focus for your next round
Use the rule sheet as a reference. The starting player may take the upcard or pass. If both players pass, the starter must draw from the stock. Check the relevant controls before continuing.
Aim for this result
Build sets and same-suit runs in a ten-card hand, then knock with 10 or fewer deadwood points or go Gin with none. Return to the explanation when a decision is unclear. Work at your own pace.
How to proceed
- The game uses a single 52-card deck with no jokers. Both players receive 10 cards. Aces are low and count 1.
- The starting player may take the upcard or pass. If both players pass, the starter must draw from the stock.
- Draw one card, then select a different discard when you took from the discard pile. Melds stay in your hand during play.
- Choose Knock / Gin with a selected discard. After discarding, deadwood must be 10 or less. Otherwise continue playing.
- Against a knock, the defender may group cards and lay off unmatched cards on the knocker’s melds. No layoffs are allowed against Gin.
- Gin earns 25 plus defender deadwood. A successful knock earns the difference. A defender with an equal or lower count undercuts for 25 plus the difference.
- The first player to reach 100 points wins this match. There are no additional line or end-of-match bonuses. A stock reduced to two cards ends a non-knocking hand with no score.
Input guidance
Tap a card to select it. Use the labelled pile and action buttons. Sort by rank or suit; the hand wraps onto additional rows on a phone. Return to the explanation when a decision is unclear. A clear plan starts with the current position.
See how the rules apply
A knocker with 8 deadwood against a defender with 5 after layoffs is undercut: the defender scores 25 + 8 − 5 = 28. Use another round to revisit a decision.
A mistake to avoid
Work at your own pace. Q–K–A is not a Gin run: Aces are low. A defender cannot lay off against Gin, and a picked-up discard cannot be returned on the same turn. Return to the explanation when a decision is unclear.
Questions that come up during play
What is the aim?
Build sets and same-suit runs in a ten-card hand, then knock with 10 or fewer deadwood points or go Gin with none. Look at the complete hand before deciding. Return to the explanation when a decision is unclear.
How do I use the controls?
Tap a card to select it. Use the labelled pile and action buttons. Sort by rank or suit; the hand wraps onto additional rows on a phone. Use the rule sheet as a reference. Return to the explanation when a decision is unclear.
Which format is available?
Two-player game against a computer. Fixed house scoring: 25-point Gin and undercut bonuses; first to 100, no line/game bonus. The starting player alternates each hand. Big Gin is not included. Current hands save locally. Keep the active rule in mind. The same rule applies on a phone and on a computer.
What should I check before a move?
Q–K–A is not a Gin run: Aces are low. A defender cannot lay off against Gin, and a picked-up discard cannot be returned on the same turn. Take a moment to read the table. Check the relevant controls before continuing.
Can you give an example?
A knocker with 8 deadwood against a defender with 5 after layoffs is undercut: the defender scores 25 + 8 − 5 = 28. Begin with the objective. Take the next action only when the current step is clear.
When may I knock?
After drawing, select the card you would discard. The remaining 10 cards must have no more than 10 deadwood points. Keep the active rule in mind. Use another round to revisit a decision.
How much is an Ace?
An Ace is worth 1 and only starts a run: A–2–3 is valid, Q–K–A is not. A clear plan starts with the current position. Return to the explanation when a decision is unclear.
What happens on a deadwood tie?
Unless the knocker went Gin, a tie is an undercut; the defender scores the 25-point bonus. For a calm first round, focus on one decision. Check the relevant controls before continuing.
Are layoffs automatic?
Yes. The result searches the defender’s legal groups and possible extensions to find the least remaining deadwood. Look at the complete hand before deciding. Use another round to revisit a decision.
Can a hand end without a winner?
Yes. When the stock is reduced to two and the active player ends the turn without knocking, the hand has no score. Treat this as a chance to practise one rule. Check the relevant controls before continuing.
