Gin rummy scoring
This site uses the standard rules described by Pagat.com and Bicycle. Many families have their own house rules, so the common alternatives are listed too.
Scoring a hand
| What happened | Who scores | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Knock, and the knocker has less deadwood | Knocker | The difference between the two deadwood counts |
| Knock, and the other player has the same or less deadwood (undercut) | Other player | The difference + 10 |
| Gin (no deadwood) | Player who went gin | 20 + the other player’s deadwood |
| Big gin (optional: all 11 cards in melds after drawing) | That player | 31 + the other player’s deadwood |
| Stock down to two cards, nobody knocked | Nobody | 0, the hand is a draw |
The other player lays off cards on the knocker’s melds before counting, except after gin or big gin. A player who goes gin can never be undercut.
Example
You knock with 4 points of deadwood. The computer has 23 after laying off. You score 23 − 4 = 19. If the computer had had 4 or less, it would have undercut you: for example with 2 it would score 4 − 2 + 10 = 12.
Winning the game
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Game | First player to reach 100 or more points wins |
| Game bonus | 100 to the winner, or 200 if the loser scored nothing in the game (a shutout) |
| Box bonus (line bonus) | 20 for every hand each player won, added at the end. It does not count toward the 100. |
Your final total is your hand points + the game bonus (if you won) + your box bonus. The game on this site adds it all up for you and shows a table when a game ends.
Common house rules
- Gin bonus 25 instead of 20, and undercut bonus 20 instead of 10.
- Undercut bonus, gin bonus and box bonus all 25.
- Big gin is played by some, usually for 31 points, sometimes 50, plus the other player’s deadwood. On this site you can turn it on under Settings.
- In a shutout, some players double the winner’s whole score instead of doubling the game bonus.
- Some players let the loser of each hand deal next, or simply take turns dealing.
Whatever you choose, agree before you start. The printable scoresheet has room for the bonuses.
Variant scoring
- Oklahoma gin: the up card sets the knock limit, a spade doubles the hand, and the game is usually to 150.
- Hollywood gin: three games are scored at the same time.
- Straight gin: no knocking, so every hand ends in gin or a draw.
Questions
How much is gin worth in gin rummy?
In the standard rules gin scores a 20-point bonus plus the other player’s deadwood. Many players use 25 instead of 20.
How much is an undercut worth?
The player who undercuts scores the difference in deadwood plus 10 points. Some players use 20 or 25.
What happens if the deadwood counts are equal?
If the knocker did not go gin and the counts are equal, the knocker is undercut: the other player scores the 10-point bonus.
What is the box bonus?
At the end of the game each player gets 20 points for every hand they won. It is added after the game and does not count toward the 100 points needed to win.