Rummikub Game Play
Setup
- Place all tiles face down on the table and mix them thoroughly.
- Each player draws 14 tiles and arranges them on their rack.
- The remaining tiles form the pool.
- Players can decide who goes first by drawing tiles - highest number starts.
Turn Sequence
On your turn, you must do one of the following:
1. Play tiles from your rack
You can place tiles from your rack onto the table to form new sets or runs, or add to existing ones. For your first play (initial meld), the sum of the numbers on the tiles you place must be at least 30 points.
2. Manipulate the board
After your initial meld, you can manipulate the tiles on the table in various ways, as long as all sets and runs remain valid at the end of your turn. This is where the strategic depth of Rummikub comes into play.
You can split sets and runs, combine them, or rearrange them in any way, as long as no tiles are left "orphaned" (not part of a valid set or run) when your turn ends.
3. Draw a tile
If you cannot or choose not to play any tiles, you must draw one tile from the pool and add it to your rack. Your turn then ends.
Board Manipulation Examples
Splitting a Run
On the table: Red 4, Red 5, Red 6, Red 7
In your rack: Red 8, Black 5, Yellow 5
You can split the run into Red 4, Red 5, Red 6 and use Red 7 with your Red 8 to start a new run. Then add your Black 5 and Yellow 5 to the Red 5 to form a set of three 5s.
Using a Joker
On the table: Blue 7, Joker (representing Blue 8), Blue 9
In your rack: Blue 8, Red 10, Red 11, Red 12
You can replace the Joker with your Blue 8, then use the Joker with your Red 10, Red 11, and Red 12 to form a new run (Joker representing Red 9).
Combining Sets and Runs
On the table: Black 3, Red 3, Blue 3 (a set) and Yellow 2, Yellow 3, Yellow 4 (a run)
In your rack: Yellow 1, Yellow 5
You can take the Yellow 3 from the run and add it to the set of 3s to make a set of four. Then add your Yellow 1 and Yellow 5 to the remaining Yellow 2 and Yellow 4 to form a new run.
Game End and Scoring
The game ends when a player has used all the tiles from their rack, or when the pool is empty and no player can make a move.
When a player goes out (uses all their tiles), the other players add up the values of the tiles remaining on their racks. The sum is subtracted from their score, and added to the winner's score.