Objective
Score points by melding sets (three or four cards of the same rank) and runs (three or more cards of the same suit in sequence), and by laying cards off onto melds already on the table. A hand ends when someone goes out. Cards left in a hand count against that player. Play continues over several hands until someone reaches 500.
Setup
Choose a dealer at random; the deal passes to the left each hand. Deal seven cards to each player (thirteen in a two-player game). Place the rest face down as the stock and turn the top card face up beside it to start the discard pile.
Unlike most rummy games, the discard pile in 500 Rum is spread out so every card in it is visible. Keep the pile fanned so the whole table can read it.
How to play
On your turn, draw first. You may take the top card of the stock, or take any card from the discard pile. If you take from the discard pile, you must take every card above it as well, and you must immediately meld the card you reached for.
After drawing, meld any sets or runs you wish by laying them face up in front of you. You may also lay off: add cards to any meld on the table, yours or an opponent’s. Keep laid-off cards in front of you, because they score for you, not for the owner of the meld.
End your turn by discarding one card face up onto the spread discard pile. You may not discard the card you just took from the pile.
The hand ends the moment a player has no cards left after discarding. If the stock runs out, the hand ends immediately and everyone scores what they have on the table.
- 1Draw from the stock or reach into the discard pile
- 2Meld sets and runs, lay off onto any meld
- 3Discard one card, spread it into the pile
- 4Go out to end the hand and freeze everyone’s score
Scoring
Each player adds up the cards they have melded or laid off, then subtracts the cards still in their hand. A player can finish a hand with a negative score.
| Card | Points |
|---|---|
| Ace (in a run A-2-3) | 1 |
| 2 through 10 | Face value |
| Jack, Queen, King | 10 each |
| Ace (high or in a set) | 15 |
First player to 500 wins. If two players cross 500 in the same hand, the higher total takes it.
Variations
Persian Rummy: add two jokers to the deck as wild cards worth 20 points each, and score a bonus of 25 for a four-card set.
Boat House Rum: if you take the top discard, you also take a second card, and you can only go out by melding your entire hand at once.
Team play with six or eight players: partners sit opposite and combine scores at the end of each hand.
Tips from the table
Reaching deep into the discard pile hands you a big pick-up, but it also hands your opponents a wide-open view of what you are collecting. Take the deal when it lets you meld immediately and lay off the rest.
Lay off onto opponents’ melds whenever you can. The points count for you, and every card you shed is one fewer to subtract if someone goes out early.
Late in a hand, hold high cards only if you can meld them next turn. A king caught in your hand is a ten-point swing against you.
Video Guides Are on the Way
We’re filming Game Guides that walk through full hands at the table, from the deal to the score.
Frequently asked
How is 500 Rum different from regular Rummy?
Three ways: the discard pile is spread out and you can take from anywhere in it, laid-off cards score for the player who laid them, and scoring runs across hands until someone reaches 500.
Can I take from the discard pile without melding?
No. If you reach into the pile you must be able to meld the card you take, right away, on that turn.
What happens if the stock runs out?
The hand ends immediately. Everyone scores their melds and subtracts what is left in their hand.
Do I have to discard to go out?
Yes. You go out by discarding your last card, so you need to keep one card back after your final meld.
New rules every month
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