Gem Rummy

What is Gem Rummy

Gem Rummy is similar to standard Gin Rummy except each card has a background color & gem symbol; Kings have two background colors; (Jokers are included but are not used in hands). Adding colors to each card allows for more interesting combinations (like having all eight gems in hand). Another difference is that (2) 6-sided dice are used at the beginning of each hand to establish the "Knock number", and also the "Diamond number" for a special meld called "Queen's Diamonds".

The object is to get your hand down to a few points of Deadwood by getting Melds.

There are 3 phases to each hand: 1) DEAL & ROLL; 2) CARD PLAY; 3) SHOWDOWN & SCORING.

Cards in Melds and Lay-offs will not score for your opponent, but have no inherent point values themselves. Cards not in Melds or Lay-offs are called Deadwood and might add points to your opponent’s score.

Game details

Players

2–3

Age

+8

Duration

45 min

Difficulty

—

Type

Board game

Year

2020

Mechanics

Deduction · Dice Rolling · Melding and Splaying

Categories

Card Game · Deduction · Dice

Designer

Jon Carper · Lori Carper · Jayden Carper

Publisher

Goal-in-Hat Publishing, LLC