Straight Gin - The Purist's Rummy

Straight Gin is a challenging variant of Gin Rummy where knocking is not allowed. You must achieve Gin (all 10 cards forming melds with 0 deadwood) to end a round. This makes for longer, more strategic games where patience and perfect meld-building are rewarded.

If you enjoy the classic Gin Rummy, Straight Gin offers a purer test of card-melding skill without the tactical decision of when to knock.

The Key Difference

Unlike standard Gin Rummy where you can knock with 10 or fewer deadwood points, in Straight Gin you must go Gin to end the round. The Knock button is disabled until you have exactly 0 deadwood.

Basic Rules (Same as Gin Rummy)

1. Each player receives 10 cards
2. Draw from either the stock pile or discard pile
3. Discard one card to end your turn
4. Form melds: Sets (3-4 of same rank) or Runs (3+ consecutive same suit)

Winning a Round

You must form all 10 cards into valid melds. When you achieve 0 deadwood, the "GIN!" button becomes active. Click it to score 25 bonus points plus your opponent's deadwood value.

Build Flexible Melds

Since you need 0 deadwood, focus on cards that can work in multiple melds. Middle-rank cards (5-9) in the same suit can connect with neighbors in runs, while also potentially forming sets.

Track the Discard Pile

Pay close attention to what your opponent discards. In Straight Gin, knowing which cards are unavailable is crucial for planning your path to Gin.

Accept Longer Games

Straight Gin games typically last longer than regular Gin Rummy. Be patient and don't force suboptimal melds early.

• Gin: 25 points + opponent's deadwood
• Game: First to 100 points wins

Since there's no knocking, there are no undercuts in Straight Gin. Every round is won by Gin.

Explore the Gin Rummy family:

• Gin Rummy - The classic 2-player card game
• Oklahoma Gin - The upcard sets the knock threshold
• Hollywood Gin - Triple-game scoring format
• Straight Gin - You're playing it!