Why Rummy Is Considered a Mind Game

When we talk about games that require complete, undivided attention, the games that first come to mind are often chess, sudoku, and crossword. However, rummy also falls in the same category. Many people think that rummy is a game that requires luck more than anything else. However, that’s not true. It’s a game that requires a sharp focus, great analytical skills and the ability to make quick, wise decisions. As a matter of fact, these qualities are much more important than luck: you can’t usually win a game of rummy with sheer luck. More importantly, rummy skills can only be developed by practice. What Makes Rummy a Skill-Based Game? Rummy is a game best played by 2 to 6 players with 2 and 3 decks of cards respectively. Each player tries to outwit the opponent(s) by forming valid sequences and/or sets first. The video below will help you better understand the rummy rules and how to sort and group your cards to be able to form valid sets and sequences more effectively. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FinAT5_p3NY[/embed] To win a game, players need to pick and discard cards on the basis of the cards they have in their hand and form melds before their opponents can.  It might seem like a very simple thing to do, but it requires the players to be fully focused on the game, analyze the opponents’ moves and pick and discard cards on the basis of the analysis. You have to complete the process in as few turns as you can to win the game. Sounds a bit tricky now? But that’s not all. Here follow some features of rummy that make it a game that challenges your mind more than anything else:

• You need to remember the cards your opponents are picking and dropping throughout the game, which requires a sharp memory.
• Mathematical concepts also come into play in the game. Experienced players make extensive use of the theory of probability in a typical game of rummy.
• The game doesn’t have a fixed plan of action, as each game is different. That requires players to come up with a new strategy every time.
• A lot of patience is required because an impulsive decision can cost you the game.
• You need to visualize the moves of your opponents in advance to plan and make your own moves.

See, all of that challenges the mind, so one needs to use a lot of brain power to ace the game. Rummy isn’t a game that’s played just for fun: it’s much more than that. It’s a game that makes you smarter, sharper, more focused and more analytical in your approach. All these qualities make rummy a mind game. Until next time... Keep playing!