Robbers' rummy is played using two standard 52 card decks, and 2 to 6 wildcards (Jokers). Initially, each player is dealt 11 to 13 cards from the shuffled deck, whose remainder (the stock) is placed face-down on the table. The goal of each player is to reduce the number of cards held in hand by placing them on the table, face-up, forming melds. A meld is
At each turn, a player may place one or more cards from the own hand on the table, such that melds are formed (or extended). For this purpose, each player may rearrange any or all melds on the table (including, if necessary, by reassigning the identification of Joker cards); provided all cards on the table form melds eventually, in completion of the placement. All cards which were on the table, before the placement of the own cards from hand, must remain on the table.
(An essential point to recognize is that any meld consisting of four cards may be reduced to an equally regular three-card meld by removing or robbing one card, which in turn may be used to form other melds. The name Robbers' rummy reflects the characterization, by proponents of normal rummy, of such liberty in playing this game as excessive, or even offensive.)
A player at turn who was unable or disinclined to place at least one card from the own hand on the table accordingly, must draw one card from the stock into the hand. (Alternatively, a player who did place one or more own cards on the table may draw one card from the stock, or must otherwise yield to the next player right away.) After having drawn one card, the player at turn may still place any one or more cards on the table, and must then yield to the next player (without drawing another card).
The first player to place all held cards on the table has won the game.
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