Rummy Glossary

Aces High: Usually applicable where Aces are counted with a higher point value. Where Q-K-A is treated as valid but A-2-3, of course is not. Some rummy games observe that Aces may be both low and high. This specific Rummy rule is sometimes used in conjunction with another Rummy rule – also go through "Round the Corner".

Aces Low: Applicable where aces are low and further counted as 1 point. In addition, once again certain rummy game observes that Aces can be both high and low. See "Round the Corner", as this Rummy rule can be used in conjunction with another Rummy rule.

Baiting: (also known as "Advertising", "baiting", "chumming", "fishing" or ”tempting”). When a player discards with intention to convince his opponent to discard another card of the same rank or the same suit. This can further be treated as a strategic rummy move.

Blind Discard: Discarding a card and that also without knowing whether the opponent can really make use of it. This is common on the first discard of a deal.

Block: To hold back a card so that it could not allow the opponent in completing a meld.

Captain: One player playing against two opponents who alternates in between themselves to play against him; it also can be like this that two players playing against three opponents and even three against four.

Combination: Two cards that can become a matched set, if a suitable third card is added.

Count: The total number of points in a hand after deducting the count of the total melded cards.

Cut: A cut is done exactly after the shuffle. It further ensures a fair play, as the deck of the cards is divided into two portions and followed by placing the second or the lower portion on the top of the first one to change the order of the deck.

Dead Cards: The cards those are no longer available to play as they are either in the discard pile or already have been melded into a player’s hand.

Deuce: A two of any suit or color

Discard: A player, after drawing a card from the stock pile, places a card in the 'discard pile', face up to reduce the hand and at the same time ends his turn.

Fill: The card that helps in turning a combination into a matched set.

Go Out: Once getting rid of the last card in a hand.

House Rules: House rules usually differ from official game rules. House rules that are agreed upon prior to the start of the game and also can include optional rules, which are rarely to be included in the game or its variations.

Matched Set: Three or more cards which may be melded together, and that also according to the rummy game rules.

Meld: Three or more cards of the same value or rank such as 7d, 7h, 7s or three or more cards of the same suit in a sequence or consecutive order, such as 4c, 5c, 6c + or 8h, 9h, 10h, Jh.

Round The Corner: The rule that allows the Ace in sequence with both the King and the Deuce (K-A-2). This rule can is more often deemed valid only when Aces are high. Also see "Aces Low" and "Aces High".

Speculate: It is to pick up an opponent player’s discard that will produce a combination instead of a meld.

Undercut: Reducing one’s deadwood to the equal or lesser count than the knocker’s deadwood count.

Wild Discard: Usually the unsafe card to discard, as it can be taken up by the opponent player. Wild discards are completely unsafe, but sometimes becomes necessary in winning the game.