A Few Strategies for Playing 500 Rummy

[screamingmimi04]

Everyone probably knows that the most important thing to remember when playing 500 Rummy (or Rummy 500, your choice) is to pay close attention to all discarded cards and all cards which your opponent picks up from the discarded pile. This can be the difference between winning and losing the game.

Here are a few other tips which you may find useful:

When you get to the point in your game where another player has just a few cards left, start discarding your high point cards such as Aces, Tens, Jacks, Queens and Kings. These are worth more points than the other cards, and they could cause you to have a low or negative score if they remain in your possession when that hand is over.

If possible, do not discard a card that might be used in a sequence with cards that have already been discarded. For example if there is a queen in the discard pile, do not discard a queen. All it would take is for one other player to have a queen and they could score many points.

Early in the game, collect high scoring cards. That way you can start high scoring sequences and prevent others from using those cards to their advantage.

Try to lure another player. For example if a two and a three of spades are at the bottom of a big discard pile, go ahead and discard a four of spades and see who goes for the whole stack.

Keep an eye out for what has been played and discard accordingly. For example if two Kings are used in two different sequences and there is another King in the discard pile, go ahead and discard your King as well. That way you won’t be stuck with it and there may not be a great opportunity to use it.

Avoid taking a large stack of discarded cards if it looks as if another player may go out soon. However, early on in the game taking a large stack of the discarded cards may be beneficial. You will be able to find many melds are sequences and you will likely be able to rack up points. It is a gamble that can easily pay off.

If it is early in the game and you have an Ace of Hearts, 2 of Hearts and 3 of Hearts, it may be beneficial not to uses the Ace but to save it so you can play it as a suit of Aces or as Queen, King, Ace Sequence, if possible. In those cases the Aces are worth more points.

Play the Ace, 2, 3 meld if it looks like another player is going to go out (so you don’t have to deduct the big points that would remain in your hand) OR when the other Aces and Kings have already been played (so that you will at least score 5 points for the laying down the Ace).

[stacy123]

I so love this game. Haven't played for a good while now. Who has time these days??? This is a game my family used to all gather to play. We always had such a great time. It is pretty easy to learn and a great game that the kids can be included in playing.

[beaston]

Great tips

I tend to play Gin more than 500 Rummy, but both are fun games.

[scoobygirl30]

Great tips here. Playing 500 rummy is my favorite card game to play, and just about the only card game I play. My hubby and I play this in the evenings most of the time. Its a great way to entertain each other while discussing how our days went. I normally beat him of course, but with the tips you gave me maybe it will be come an always win for me, LOL.