Rummy 71: opening with 71 points, no jokers

Everything else (how a turn works, the tournante, adding on, swapping the joker, penalties) is the same as in Rummy 51. The basics are in the rummy rules.

1. At least 71 points, counted only from melds without jokers.
2. A Suivi, or run (for example 8♠ 9♠ 10♠), without a joker.
3. A Tria, or set (for example Q♠ Q♥ Q♣), without a joker.

Points are counted as in Rummy 51: 2 to 10 = face value, face cards = 10, Ace = 1 at the bottom of a run (A♥ 2♥ 3♥) and 10 at the top of a run (Q♦ K♦ A♦) or in a set (A♠ A♥ A♣). As in Rummy 51, nobody opens during the first round of turns, and the opening must leave at least one card in hand.

In Rummy 71, if you take the card from the discard pile to open, you need at least one run you built yourself: a run (3♠ 4♠ 5♠) with no joker that does not contain the card you just took. A run (6♥ 7♥ 8♥) that is only complete thanks to that card (8♥) is not enough. The taken card must still be laid down in your opening: in the set (8♠ 8♥ 8♦), in a second run (8♥ 9♥ 10♥), or in the run it completes.

If you drew from the stock, nothing changes. Not affected: the tournante (taken during the first round like a drawn card) and your partner’s first lay-down once you have opened. Rummy 51 and Simple rummy don’t have this rule.

Jokers are not banned from the opening: they simply cannot be used to meet the conditions. Once you have 71 points, a run (6♦ 7♦ 8♦) and a set (8♠ 8♥ 8♣) without jokers, you can add to the same opening other melds that contain a joker. They don’t help you reach 71… but they count in your total, and that total is what your opponents must beat.

Example: you lay down 79 points of natural melds plus a run (6♣ joker 8♣) worth 21. Your opening is worth 100 points: the other team must now open with at least 101 points without jokers.

The calculator below applies the app’s Rummy 71 rules: it only counts joker-free melds toward the 71 points and checks for the run (8♠ 9♠ 10♠) and the set (9♠ 9♥ 9♦). The full scoring tables are on the scoring page.

In 2 vs 2, once your partner has opened you no longer have a threshold. You only need one run (3♥ 4♥ 5♥) without a joker in your first lay-down — for example a Suivi (3♥ 4♥ 5♥); melds with jokers may be added to it. This is the app’s current rule for the partner’s first lay-down, which may still be adjusted. After that, like your partner, you lay down and add on freely. Details in partners rummy.

This first lay-down is not affected by the discard-pile rule: your run (3♥ 4♥ 5♥) may contain the card you just took.

If you can lay down all your cards but one, you may do it even below the threshold and go out at once — but in Rummy 71 you still need a run (6♦ 7♦ 8♦) and a set (8♠ 8♥ 8♣) without jokers among what you lay down, and if you have just taken the discard, a run (2♠ 3♠ 4♠) built without it. Going rummy (laying everything down without having opened before) is allowed, with no doubling of penalties.

If you took the discard card to do it, the same rule applies: one of your runs (3♠ 4♠ 5♠) must be made without it.

• Think without jokers: build your hand as if your jokers didn’t exist. They will be useful after the opening, or as a bonus to raise the bar.
• Aim for face cards and 10s: a set (K♠ K♥ K♣) or a run (Q♦ K♦ A♦) that climbs to the Ace is worth far more than small cards.
• Hold on to a natural set (9♠ 9♥ 9♦): it is usually the set that is missing — runs (5♣ 6♣ 7♣) come more easily.
• Watch the next player: once they have opened, any card you discard may extend their melds on the table.
• Before you open, keeping big cards costs nothing extra: if an opponent goes out, you pay 100 whatever you hold.

More tips in our rummy strategy guide.

New to the game? Start with Rummy 51, or even Simple rummy. Rummy 71 rewards patient players who read the discard pile well.