What is "Gin" in Gin Rummy?
Short Answer
Gin is achieved when all 10 cards in your hand form melds (sets or runs) with zero deadwood (unmatched cards). Going Gin earns a 25-point bonus plus your opponent's deadwood count. Your opponent cannot lay off cards when you go Gin.
Gin vs Knocking
- Gin: 0 deadwood, opponent cannot lay off cards, +25 bonus
- Knock: 10 or less deadwood, opponent can lay off cards, no bonus
- Big Gin: All 11 cards meld (draw completes hand), +31 bonus
Example
Your hand: 4-5-6♥ (run), 9-9-9♠♦♣ (set), J-Q-K♠ (run). All 10 cards are in melds with 0 deadwood. You call Gin and score 25 points plus whatever deadwood your opponent has.
Gin Scoring
- Base score: Opponent's total deadwood points
- Gin bonus: +25 points
- Total: If opponent has 18 deadwood, you score 43 points
Why Gin is Powerful
Going Gin is strategically superior because:
- Opponent cannot lay off cards onto your melds
- You capture their full deadwood value
- The 25-point bonus significantly impacts game totals
- No risk of being undercut