Gin rummy strategy
Gin rummy has a lot of luck in each hand, but over a game the better player wins most of the time. These tips will help you beat the computer on medium and hard.
1. Get rid of high cards early
Kings, queens and jacks count 10 points each. If one is not part of a meld or close to one, throw it early. It hurts you most if the other player knocks while you still hold it.
2. Keep cards that can grow
Two cards that can become a meld are worth keeping: a pair (7♥ 7♣) or two cards close together in the same suit (5♠ 6♠). A middle card like a 6 or 7 can join runs in both directions. An ace can only be in the run A-2-3 and a king only in J-Q-K, so they have fewer ways to fit.
3. Knock early when you can
In the first few turns the other player usually has a lot of deadwood, so knocking even with 8, 9 or 10 points often wins the hand. Waiting for gin gives them time to improve.
4. Watch for undercuts late in the hand
As the stock gets smaller, the other player’s hand gets better. Late in the hand, knock with a low count, or keep improving first. Remember they can lay off cards on your melds: a run open at both ends, like 5-6-7 of hearts, takes the 4 and the 8.
5. Read the discard pile
When the other player picks up a card from the discard pile, they want it. If they take the 9♦, be careful with other 9s and with the 8♦ and 10♦. When they discard a card, nearby cards are often safer to throw.
6. Don’t give away information
Every card you take from the discard pile shows what you are collecting. Take a discard when it completes a meld or clearly improves your hand, not just because it is a little better than a random card.
7. Count your deadwood every turn
Know your count. Under your hand this site shows it for you, and after you draw it shows the best count you can reach. When it drops to 10 or less, think: knock now, or try for gin?
8. Going for gin
Gin is worth a 20-point bonus and can’t be undercut. It is worth chasing when you are one card away, many cards that would finish your hand are still unseen, and the stock is still large. Otherwise a quick knock is usually the better bet.
Practice
Play on Hard and press Hint to compare your choice with the computer’s. Under Settings you can also show the computer’s cards to see how it plays.
Questions
When should you knock in gin rummy?
Early in a hand, knocking as soon as you can is usually strong, because the other player still holds a lot of deadwood. Later, the risk of an undercut grows, so a low count matters more.
Should you pick up from the discard pile?
Take a discard when it completes or clearly improves a meld. Every pick-up shows the other player what you are collecting.