Introduction
Whether you're sitting around a card table or playing online, when
you play Rummy or Gin Rummy, you are participating in a very old tradition
spanning the globe. Historians have varying theories about the origins of the
game, but one thing is agreed upon. The popularity of the game is due to its
fast pace, and its scoring system, which makes it convenient when gambling for
real money.
Basic Structure of the Game
"Rummy" is actually a whole genre of games, all based on the draw
and discard pattern of play. The object of the game is to get rid of all your
cards by forming sets or runs. Sets are comprised of three or four card cards of
the same rank, melded. Runs are comprised of three or more consecutive cards
within a suit.
Roots of the Game
The history of Rummy is a fascinating tale of
world economics and migration. The earliest influences to effect the development
of the Rummy game may hail from China. The traditional Chinese game of "Mahjong"
shares the draw and discard pattern that characterizes Rummy. British and
Portuguese merchants in mainland China became familiar with Mahjong while
working there, and upon their return to Europe, would have adapted it to local
traditional games, producing such games as "Kanhoo".
The game "Conquian" was developed in Spain, and brought to the
Americas with colonialists who immigrated and settled there. David Parlett
recognizes Conquian to be the ancestor of all Rummy games, and emphasizes the
similarity to Gin Rummy.
In the early 20th century, Gin Rummy was invented in New York by
an alcoholic fond of gin. Rummy was the slang term for alcoholic in those days,
as can be seen in works by Hemingway, including Islands in the Stream. Gin Rummy
was then popularized by 1930's movie stars who played the game in Hollywood on
the production sets, between takes when there was nothing to do but "hurry up
and wait".
The game became a widespread phenomenon during the Great
Depression when people could not afford to engage in more costly forms of
entertainment, and had to keep themselves amused at home rather than going out.
Your Place in Rummy History
The 21st century brought us the evolution of online gaming. The
advantage of the modern technological adaptation of traditional games is that
one can now play with people all around the world without a passport. You can
play Rummy with people from China, Spain, and America, the game's ancestral
countries of origin, from the comfort of your own home.
An appreciation of the history of Rummy makes playing all the more
fun. Rummy develops cognitive skills, and helps to keep your mind sharp. The
game is fun, inclusive, and varied enough to stay interesting over the years. If
you play enough online, you may go down in Rummy history as one of the best
ever. Are you ready to try?
Play online Rummy Tables or Rummy
cards.
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