How to play Rummikub

Learn the rules to the 2-4 player tile game Rummikub quickly and concisely - This video has no distractions, just the rules.

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RULES:The object of the game is to have the most points after a pre-determined number of rounds, usually 3 to 5 rounds. The object of each round is to get rid of all the tiles in your hand by forming them into sets and runs. A set is 3 or 4 tiles of the same number, but they must be in different colors. A run is 3 or more tiles of the same color in consecutive order. Place all the tiles face down in the center of the table and mix them up, or in the pouch if your game is that version. Each player picks a tile and the player with the highest number goes first then play proceeds clockwise. Return the tiles and mix them up, then each player picks 14 tiles and places them on their rack. The remaining tiles form the pool.

On your turn, you lay down sets and runs in front of you. In order to initially place tiles on the table however, each player must make an initial play of at least 30 points in one or more sets and/or runs. These points must come from tiles in your rack and not from tiles already in play. A tile’s point value is equal to its numerical value and a joker is a wild and worth the point value of whatever tile it represents.

After you have made your initial play of 30 or more points, you are then allowed to play your tiles on any player’s sets and runs so long as they fit. If, on your turn, you are unable to make a play, or you chooses not to, you must draw a tile from the pool and end your turn. You are not allowed to play the tile you just drew but must instead wait until your next turn before you can play. The first player to empty their rack calls “rummy-cube” and the round ends and points are scored.

Each player is only allowed 2 minutes maximum per turn. If a player exceeds that time limit, then they draw a penalty tile and end their turn without playing. If you make an illegal play, then return the tiles to their correct spots and draw 3 penalty tiles.

You are allowed to manipulate face up sets and runs from all the players in order to play, breaking them up and rearranging them so long as legitimate sets and runs remain at the end of the turn and that there are no left over incomplete sets or runs. For example, you can break off a fourth tile from a set and add it to tiles from your rack to create a new run. You can add a 4th tile to a run then break off a tile from it to make another set. You can split a run into 2 smaller runs by breaking them apart and adding the needed tile from your rack. You can also combine splits… and… do multiple splits.

There are 2 jokers in the game. They can be used in place of any tile. You can swap a joker in play with the correct tile from your rack so long as the swap leaves the set or run complete AND the joker is used with other tiles from your rack in a new set or run. The penalty for having a joker in your rack at the end of a round if another player goes rummy-cube is minus 30 points.

At the end of the round, points are scored. Each player loses points based on the combined value of the tiles left in their rack. The winner of the round, scores positive points equal to the combined value of all the remaining tiles in all the players’ racks. For example: player 1 loses 5 points, player 2 loses 16 points, player 3 loses 3 points, and Player 4 earns 24 points.

The player with the most points after a predetermined number of rounds, wins.