500 Rummy

500 Rummy can be played without any joker. Few players count the pip cards 2 to 9 as all worth 5 points. The tens and face cards J, Q, K still count 10 and jokers are 15. The ace counts as 5 points instead of 15 if it is used as a low card in a sequence such as A-2-3. These are called card values (5/10/15).

 

The majority of card game books describe the rule that so as to draw from the discard pile you must meld. You can take a card you require for your meld plus all the cards on top of it. This rule is also applicable in the case where you only take the top card from the discard pile - in that case you must meld this top card. If you are not going to meld, you must draw from the stock.

 

Few people play that whenever you take cards from the discard pile, the bottom most card you take should be utilized in a new meld of three or more cards - it is not enough to be able to lay this card off on an existing meld.

 

Some play that so as to win the game you have to go out and you should have a cumulative score of 500 or more. You cannot win if another player goes out, even if your score is 500 or more. If the player who went out has achieved 500 or more they win; if not the next player deals and another hand is played. In this variant, it is possible to win without gaining the highest score.