Object of Gin Rummy

The object of the game is to reduce your hand to 10points or less before your opponent. Reducing your hand to zero points is the ideal outcome and is called a "Gin". Points are the face value of your cards, for example a 2 of clubs is worth two points. All the cards from 10 through to a King have the same value of ten points. An ace is one point.

You can reduce the total value of the cards by forming matched sets called "melds". All cards in a meld have no point count value. A meld is three or more cards of the same face value (three Kings, four jacks, three 7's). A meld can also be three or more cards in a same-suited straight or run (7-8-9 of hearts or 2-3-4 of clubs).

All cards not in a meld are called "Deadwood" cards and each card's value contributes towards your total "Deadwood" points.