21 Cards Rummy Rules

21 Cards Rummy is an exciting and enjoyable variation of the classic rummy game. The same basic rules that apply to online rummy games also apply to this one. So one does not have to change the way they organize their cards or declare their win. The only difference in the 21-card rummy game is that you can earn extra points if you have special cards in your hand. These special cards can help reduce your losses if you have a full hand.

Once you become skilled at 10-card rummy and 13-card rummy, you’ll be ready to try your hand at 21-card rummy, which is considered the grand champion of all rummy games. But be prepared, it’s quite a challenge. Each round of this game requires a lot of time, patience, and strategic thinking. If you’re just starting out with rummy, it might be best to begin with simpler versions and work your way up to 21-card rummy when you feel more confident. In this article, we will explain the rules of 21 Cards Rummy and guide you through its strategies and how to play.

Key Terms in 21 Card Rummy

Upper Joker: Also known as Paplu, the Upper Joker is the card one rank higher than the Cut Joker and belongs to the same suit as the Cut Joker. In the example, if the Cut Joker is 5♥, then 6♥ becomes the Upper Joker.

Lower Joker: Similarly, the Lower Joker A.K.A. Taplu, is the card one rank lower than the Cut Joker and shares the same suit. In the example, if the Cut Joker is 5♠, then 4♠ serves as the Lower Joker.

Cut Jokers: In the game, after dealing the cards to all the players, the topmost card from the pile of unused cards becomes the Cut Joker. For instance, if the top card is 2♥, then all 2s of any suit can be used as Jokers to complete sequences and sets.

Dublee: A Dublee is simply a pair of two cards with the same rank and suit, or it can be two Jokers. Importantly, you can’t combine a Joker with another card to create a Dublee. For instance, 5♦ 5♦ is a Dublee.

Tunnela/Tanala/Trinala: A Tunnela consists of three cards with the same rank and suit. For example, having 7♦ 7♦ 7♦ forms a Tunnela. Remember that you cannot use a Joker alongside two other cards to make a Tunnela.

Marriage: A Marriage is formed when you have 1 Cut Joker, 1 Lower Joker, and 1 Upper Joker all from the same suit. Using our example, if the Cut Joker is 5♣, then having 4♣, 5♣, and 6♣ together forms a Marriage. If you hold a Marriage, you earn 100 points from each player who hasn’t dropped from the game.

21 Cards Rummy Rules For Scoring 

Let’s break down the scoring rules for 21 Card Rummy

Scoring in 21 Card Game Rummy:

• The winner of the game accumulates points based on the cards lost by the losing players.

Points for Regular Cards:

• Cards with J, Q, K, and A are worth 10 points each.
• Cards numbered from 2 to 10 carry points equivalent to their face value.

Scoring for Losing Players:

• For players who lose in 21 Card Rummy, their negative score is calculated based on the points associated with their ungrouped cards. However, there are exceptions:
  • If there is no pure sequence, then all cards are counted for negative points.
  • If there are one or two pure sequences, those sequences are not counted in the negative points.
  • If there are three pure sequences, then impure sequences or sets are also not added to the negative points.
• In a single hand of 21 Card Rummy, a player can lose a maximum of 120 points.

Points for Special Value Cards:

• Special value cards have specific point values:
  • Cut Joker: 10 points for a single card, 30 points for two cards, and 50 points for three cards.
  • Upper Joker: Also carries 10 points for a single card, 30 points for two cards, and 50 points for three cards.
  • Lower Joker: Similar to the others, it is worth 10 points for a single card, 30 points for two cards, and 50 points for three cards.

Apart from the above, the point value for various special cards in the 21 Card Rummy, expressed in terms of points for each individual card is as follows:

• Sterling Joker: 30 points for one card.
• Paplu (Upper Joker): 20 points for one card.
• Taplu (Lower Joker): 20 points for one card.
• Marriage Cards: 100 points for each Marriage.
• Printed Joker: 20 points for one card.
• Tunnela: 20 points for one card.
• Joker Tunnela: 30 points for one card.
• Ace Of Spade: 20 points for one card.
• 2 Of Club: 20 points for one card.

21 Cards Rummy Rules

In the online version of 21 Card Rummy, a Winning Declaration must include the following sets:

• Three Pure Sequences are Mandatory:
  • You must declare a minimum of 3 pure sequences.
  • The remaining cards can be arranged in sets or sequences.
  • Tunnela is also considered a part of the pure sequence.
• At Least Three Tunnelas:
  • A minimum of 3 tunnelas must be declared.
  • There is no specific requirement for how they are arranged; they can be in any order or group, or kept separately.
• At Least Eight Dublees:
  • You must declare a minimum of eight dublees.
  • Each pair of matching cards should be arranged and sorted into individual groups.
• At Least Eight Jokers:
  • A minimum of 8 jokers have to be declared in a single group.
  • There’s no need to arrange the remaining jokers in any specific order.

How to Play 21 Card Rummy:

• Deck Composition:
  • In a 21 Card Rummy game, there are 3 decks of 53 cards each.
  • These decks include 3 printed jokers.
• Wild Joker:
  • A card is drawn from the top of the closed deck and placed face-up at the bottom of that deck. This card becomes the wild joker for the game.
• Card Distribution:
  • Each player is dealt 21 cards.
  • These cards should be arranged to form valid sequences and sets.
• Card Pickup and Discard:
  • Players have the option to either pick a card from the closed deck or the open deck.
  • After picking a card, they must discard one of the cards from their hand onto the open deck.
• Traditional Gameplay:
  • The 21-card Rummy game is played in the same traditional way in which other rummy games are played.
  • However, it introduces some unique concepts like dublee, tunnela, and upper and lower jokers.
• Objectives:
  • To win the game, players need to complete specific objectives, such as forming valid sequences and sets based on the rules mentioned earlier.

How Do You Calculate Points in 21 Card Rummy?

Here’s the point calculation for Marriage or Jackpot as per the 21 card game rummy rules.

Point Calculation for Marriage or Jackpot:

• 1 Upper Joker + 1 Same Suit + 1 Lower Joker = 100 points
• 2 Upper Jokers + 2 Same Suit + 3 Lower Jokers = 300 points
• 3 Upper Jokers + 3 Same Suit + 3 Lower Jokers = 500 points

Point Calculation for Different Combinations of Value Cards:

• 2 Upper Jokers = 30 points
• 1 Upper Joker + 1 Lower Joker = 20 points
• 2 Upper Jokers + 1 Lower Joker = 40 points
• 2 Same Suit Joker + 2 Lower Jokers = 60 points

How Dropping Works as Per the 21 Cards Rummy Rules

Initial Drop:

• If a player chooses to do an initial drop, they incur a penalty of 30 points.
• No values are considered, neither in the hand of the player opting for the initial drop nor in the hands of other players at the table.

Middle Drop:

• Opting for a middle drop results in a penalty of 60 points.
• In this case, all values are honoured, both in the hand of the player opting for the middle drop and in the hands of other players at the table.

Leave Seat:

• Leaving the seat is not allowed after the game has started.
• If a player leaves the room, a full penalty of 120 points is applied.
• No values are honoured, neither in the hand of the departing player nor in the hands of other players at the table.