Joker is the cardamom of rummy, adding sweet and savoury flavours to the game. With the help of a joker, rummy builds its twist, game-changing flavour, and wildness that it has.
Truthfully, the Joker can be anything or exactly what you want it to be. So, if you are still not sure what role the Joker plays in rummy, keep reading. In this article, we will discuss the role of the Joker in your favourite card game.
History of Joker In Rummy
A deck is formed by 52 cards: face cards like Ace, King, Queen, and Jack and number cards from 2 to 10 from 4 different suits. Along with these 52 cards, there is an additional card, a printed joker.
This printed joker was first used in America in the 20th century, like the trump card used in the game Euchre. The twist and thrill it brought to the game resulted in card enthusiasts adopting Joker in Indian rummy.
Types of Joker In Rummy
Basically, Indian rummy has two types of Jokers –
1. Printed Joker
A Printed Joker is a card that you will find with a deck of cards. This joker has a joker printed on it. A printed joker is used as an alternative to a missing card to form a set or sequence in the game of rummy.
2. Wild Joker
Another form of Joker you will find is the wild Joker. This type of joker is another card that is a part of the deck. It is predetermined at the beginning of the rummy game. It acts like a wild card and can be used as a substitute for any card that is missing. It can be a card of the same rank or suit.
Role of Joker In Rummy
In rummy, it is mandatory to form a pure sequence, but if you have an almost-sequence, then you can make an impure sequence using Joker. For instance, if you have a king and Jack of Hearts, and if 5 is Joker, then you have 5 of Hearts.
Then, you can make an impure sequence using King of Hearts, 5 of Hearts, and Jack of Hearts. Here, 5 of the heart is used as a substitute for the queen of heart, forming an impure sequence.
Furthermore, a joker can also be used to form a set. For instance, if you have two Aces, one of heart and the other of space, then you can use five hearts to make the third one. Using a Joker is a straightforward affair if you use the right skills and strategies to meld it.
It is advised to always wait for an open joker. This helps form a sequence and ensures that no wrong card is discarded.
Tips While Using the Joker
- Always discard cards around the joker. For example, if 5 of hearts is the joker, then discard the cards around it, like 3, 4, 6, or 7 of hearts. This ensures that your wild card or joker doesn’t get tied up.
- Use a joker with high-value cards to save on points.
Conclusion
Using a joker in rummy is not rocket science once you know what role it plays. Therefore, before you even download the rummy app, get a deep understanding of its basics and usage from this blog. A joker is a wild card that can make or break your game, so use it smartly and take your game to the next level.