To some gin rummy may seem like a kid’s game, but if you’ve played you know there’s more to it. Strategy can play a vital role in winning or losing a Gin rummy game. Just think of the statistics. A math whiz could tell you there are literally billions of potential combinations of hands that could result from those ten cards you were dealt. So here are a few strategies for increasing your odds of winning at this challenging game. When you play rummy online you can play for fun but you can also play for money so its important to use the best Gin rummy strategy.
Knock, Knock – As Quickly As You Can!
Some players live for the thrill of throwing down their cards on the table and shouting “GIN”!!! But waiting for gin may not be the best way to play the game. So you won’t get the 25 bonus points but what about catching your opponent with a lot of deadwood? A good rule of thumb is, if you get the chance to knock early in the hand, go for it. The effectiveness of this strategy diminishes as the hand progresses. The more time the other player has to build melds, the less likely you are to catch him or her with a lot of deadwood. And the longer you wait, the more opportunity the opponent has to beat you to the knock.
Pay Attention to ALL the Cards!
A lot of players are so focused on what is in their own hand and what they are trying to do that they fail to pay attention to clues about what the opponent is trying to do. 7 Card Stud players are typically Gin rummy naturals because of their ability to remember dead cards. What are they tossing on the pile? There are=2 0“tells” you can get from watching body language. If someone picks from the deck and grunts and groans and immediately discards the same card, it’s reasonable to assume they are not working towards a meld with that card. If you’re seeing a lot of clubs and hearts discarded, it’s a good bet they’re looking for spades or diamonds. Watch the discards they pick up. A few times around the table and you may be able to tell if the opponent is building a set or a run. Then if you have a card you think they might need, you can hang on to it.
But remember, the person across from you at that table is trying to do the same thing to you as you are to him or her. So be careful about what and when you are tossing on the discard pile as well.
Picking from the Deck
There are experts out there who say it’s better to draw from the deck rather than the discard pile. As a rule of thumb you shouldn’t take a card unless you need it for a meld. If you take a lot discards, you’re giving information about what you have in your hand as well as picking up cards your opponents don’t need.
Play the Middle
Many players love face cards because of their high value but forget that works against them if they get caught with those cards as deadwood. If you’re not working on a meld that needs face cards, discard them as quickly as you can. Take the King as an example. It’s 10 points of potential deadwood and you can only run with it in one direction. Middle cards are what you want. Think about the 7. You can be working a meld with a 7 from either direction. Hang on to those middle cards if you draw them and dump the face cards quickly.
Gone Fishing
A common Gin Rummy strategy is to “go fishing” for a card you need. Suppose you have two a 5 of clubs in your hand and you could meld a run with a 5 of spades. If you discard the 5 of clubs as bait, you might hook your opponent into thinking that you are not interested in melding a set of 5s and cause him or her to discard the 5 of spades you need. See if they take the bait. But once again, be careful. Your opponent may be “going fishing” with you as well! Enjoy the game.