Card game · vs the computer or by text
Gin Rummy
Build melds, keep your deadwood low and knock first. Play the computer, or a friend one turn at a time over text.
How to play gin rummy
Gin rummy is a card game for two. Each player gets 10 cards, and the aim is to sort them into melds while holding as few loose points as you can. CogniBump sorts your hand and counts for you, so you can just play.
Melds
- A set is three or four cards of the same rank: 8♠ 8♥ 8♦.
- A run is three or more cards in a row in one suit: 5♣ 6♣ 7♣. Aces are low, so A-2-3 counts but Q-K-A doesn’t.
- A card can only be in one meld. If it could go in a set or a run, the game picks whichever leaves you less deadwood.
Your turn
- Draw one card: tap the stock (face down) or the top of the discard pile.
- Then throw one card onto the discard pile: tap it, then tap it again. You can’t throw back a card you just took from the pile.
- At the start of a hand, the face-up card is offered to the player who didn’t deal. If they pass, the dealer can take it. If both pass, the first player draws from the stock.
Deadwood
Cards that aren’t in a meld are deadwood. Aces count 1, number cards their number, and J, Q and K count 10. Your deadwood total is shown under your hand.
Knocking and gin
- When your deadwood would be 10 or less after you discard, the Knock button lights up. Knock and both hands are shown.
- Your opponent then lays off any cards that fit your melds (a 9♥ onto your 6-7-8♥, say). The game finds the best layoffs automatically.
- If you have less deadwood, you score the difference.
- Gin is knocking with no deadwood at all: you get 25 bonus points plus your opponent’s deadwood, and they can’t lay off.
- Undercut: if your opponent ends up with the same deadwood as you or less, they get 25 points plus the difference. Knocking early is bold!
- If the stock gets down to its last 2 cards and no one has knocked, the hand is a draw and nobody scores.
Game to 100 or a single hand
In a game to 100, points add up hand after hand, and the first to 100 wins with a 100-point game bonus. Whoever ends a hand deals the next one. Short on time? Pick Single hand and the first hand decides it.
Play a friend by text
Tap Play a friend, enter both names and take your turn. Tap Send and your friend gets a link by text. They play their turn and send it back. Each of you only ever sees your own hand until someone knocks.
Play the computer
Easy is a relaxed, sometimes careless player. Medium keeps cards that help its melds and knocks as soon as it can. Hard remembers what you picked up and threw away, tries not to feed you, and sometimes holds out for gin.
Questions
Can I lay off when someone goes gin?
No. Layoffs only happen after a normal knock. Gin means nothing can be added.
Can the knocker lay off on my melds?
No, only the player who didn’t knock lays off.
Why did my melds change shape?
Your hand is always arranged for the lowest deadwood. A card that fits both a set and a run goes wherever it helps most. You can also sort by suit or rank with the buttons under your hand.
Does my game save?
Yes. Games against the computer and games with friends are saved on this device after every move, so you can close the page and come back.
Is it free? Is there any betting?
It’s free, with no account and no ads in the game. Scores are just points, for bragging rights.
More two-player games: Checkers, Backgammon and Chess.