Overview
Rummy 500 (also known as 500 Rum) in Cardems is a fast-paced, two-player card game where players compete to score points by melding combinations of cards and laying off cards onto existing table melds. Unlike traditional Gin Rummy, points are scored for every card melded onto the table, and the match is won by the first player to reach 500 points.
Objective
Accumulate positive points by placing valid sets and runs on the table, laying off cards on both your own and your opponent's melds, and going out before your opponent leaves you with high penalty cards in hand.
Setup
Cardems uses a standard 52-card deck plus 2 Jokers (54 cards total).
- Each player is dealt 13 cards.
- The remaining cards form the face-down stock.
- The top card of the stock is flipped face up to start the discard pile.
- The discard pile is spread so that all discarded cards remain visible to both players.
How to Play
Players take turns clockwise (or alternating in 2-player mode). Each turn consists of three distinct steps:
- Draw: Draw either the top card from the face-down stock, or take cards from the discard pile.
- Meld (Optional): Play any valid sets or runs from your hand to the table, or lay off matching cards onto existing table melds.
- Discard: Place one card face up on top of the discard pile to end your turn.
Melds and Layoffs
A legal meld consists of at least three cards:
- Sets (Groups): Three or four cards of the same rank (e.g., 8♠-8♥-8♦).
- Runs (Sequences): Three or more consecutive cards of the exact same suit (e.g., 4♣-5♣-6♣-7♣).
Laying Off: On your turn, you can add matching cards from your hand to any existing meld on the table—whether originally played by you or by your opponent. You earn the point value for every card you personally lay off.
Important Rules
- Ace Values: Aces are versatile in Rummy 500. An Ace played in a low run (A-2-3) scores 1 point. An Ace played high (Q-K-A) or in a set of Aces scores 15 points.
- Jokers: Jokers act as wild cards and can represent any rank in a set or run. A melded Joker scores 15 points.
- Card Values:
- Cards 2 through 9: Face value (e.g., a 7 is worth 7 points).
- 10, Jack, Queen, King: 10 points each.
- Ace (high or set): 15 points.
- Ace (low in A-2-3): 1 point.
- Joker: 15 points.
- Floating: If a player melds all cards in hand without discarding, they may "float" and continue play on subsequent turns until a final discard or until the round ends.
Scoring and Winning
A round ends immediately when a player goes out by emptying their hand (either by melding all cards or discarding the last card), or when the stock pile is completely exhausted.
| Item | Scoring impact |
|---|---|
| Melded cards & layoffs on table | Added to your score (+ value of each card) |
| Cards remaining in hand | Subtracted from your score (- value of each card) |
| Melded Joker | +15 points |
| Unmelded Joker in hand | -15 points |
| Melded High Ace / Low Ace | +15 points / +1 point |
| Unmelded Ace in hand | -15 points |
The match concludes at the end of the round in which at least one player reaches or exceeds 500 points. The player with the highest total score wins.
Strategy
- Track high-value cards: Unmelded Aces, Kings, Queens, and Jokers carry heavy point penalties if your opponent suddenly goes out. Meld or discard dangerous high cards before it is too late.
- Utilize layoffs aggressively: You do not have to wait to form complete 3-card melds of your own; piggybacking on your opponent's table melds is an easy way to score points without holding cards in hand.
- For other rummy variants in Cardems, explore Gin Rummy rules or Conquian meld rules.
Variations
Cardems implements standard two-player Rummy 500 with 13-card hands, 2 Jokers, live table layoffs, deep discard pile draws with mandatory immediate melding, and a 500-point winning threshold.
FAQ
Can I pick up a card from the discard pile without melding it?
If you take the top card of the discard pile, you can hold it in hand. However, if you take a buried card deeper in the pile, you must meld that specific buried card immediately on the current turn.
Can an Ace wrap around between King and 2?
No. Aces can be high (Q-K-A) or low (A-2-3), but round-the-corner runs (such as K-A-2) are not permitted.
Who gets the points when I lay off a card on my opponent's meld?
You receive the points for any card you lay off, regardless of who originally created the meld.
What happens if the stock pile runs out?
If the stock is exhausted and the active player does not wish to draw from the discard pile, the round ends immediately and hands are scored as they stand.
