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Official Three Thirteen Rummy Rules
Three Thirteen is a unique Rummy variant where the number of cards dealt increases with each round. Here's how to play:
Objective
To have the lowest score at the end of the game by forming valid sets and runs with the cards in your hand.
Setup
Players: 2-8 players.
Deck: Two standard 52-card decks (104 cards total) including Jokers (optional).
Dealer: Select a dealer randomly. The deal rotates clockwise after each round.
Card Values
Jokers (if used): 15 points each
Aces: 1 point each
Face cards (K, Q, J): 10 points each
Number cards (2-10): Face value
Gameplay
Rounds and Deal
Round 1: Each player is dealt 3 cards, and the wild card is the 3.
Round 2: Each player is dealt 4 cards, and the wild card is the 4.
Continue this pattern until:
Round 11: Each player is dealt 13 cards, and the wild card is the King.
Turns
Drawing a Card: On their turn, a player must draw one card from either the draw pile or the discard pile.
Melding: After drawing, the player can lay down any valid melds from their hand. A meld can be either a set or a run:
Set: Three or four cards of the same rank (e.g., 7♦ 7♠ 7♣).
Run: Three or more consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 4♠ 5♠ 6♠).
Laying Off: After melding, the player can also add cards to their own or other players' existing melds on the table.
Discarding: At the end of their turn, the player must discard one card to the discard pile.
Going Out
A player goes out when they have successfully melded or laid off all their cards, with one card remaining to discard. The round ends immediately when a player goes out.
Scoring
Points for Remaining Cards: Players score points for the cards remaining in their hand when another player goes out. The points are added to their score.
End of Round: The player who goes out scores zero points for that round.
Wild Cards: Wild cards can be used as substitutes for any card but carry a higher point penalty if left in the hand.
Winning the Game
The game is typically played over 11 rounds.
The player with the lowest cumulative score at the end of the final round wins.
Notes/Variations
Wild Cards: The wild card for each round is determined by the number of cards dealt. For example, in the first round, threes are wild; in the second round, fours are wild, and so on.
Jokers: If Jokers are included, they are always wild and can be used to substitute any card in a set or run.
Three Thirteen offers a dynamic and challenging gameplay experience, making it a popular choice for Rummy enthusiasts.
