Rummy is a tricky game, pun intended. It’s so easy to learn, it’s fun and enjoyable to play. But it’s genuinely hard to win! There is a myriad of mistakes that could be standing in the way of you and that sweet declaration. Some are just honest mistakes really anyone can make, some are so common players might not even realize they are actively making them.
The thing about mistakes, however, is that they can be avoided with just a tiny bit of understanding of the game, awareness and of course, practice – loads of it.
Lack Of Patience
It is the tricky nature of Rummy that makes us feel like we can take on the world after playing a few specimen games. Actual games need a lot more skill and patience to extract wins.
Make sure you are absolutely sure of your capabilities before stepping foot in a paid game. Cash games will have like-minded experienced players that will not stop at anything less than a win. You need to be at the top of your game to defeat seasoned players. That is impossible without patience and perseverance.
It is advised that you play only practice/free games to build confidence. You can also invite your friends and family to help you build your skillset against real players.
Socializing Takes Away Focus
One of the mistakes many players so unconsciously make is to socialize with their opponents in the live chat option. The chat option certainly helps bring the social vibe to the online game, as one can feel a bit aloof playing on their own. But sometimes, people get too caught up in chatting that their focus loosens on their game.
It can even be a ploy by your opponent to distract you from the Cash Rummy. While it’s perfectly fine to chat a bit here and there, we caution against it if you are serious about winning the game.
Arrange Your Cards
This is such an overlooked step that players are genuinely surprised when they are told that they should arrange their cards beforehand as a rule of thumb. The Indian Rummy is the most popular iteration of the game and begins with 13 cards in your hand. That is a lot of cards and it’s so easy to lose track of your cards when the game begins.
You need to arrange them in your hand by suit or color to be prepared to face the game in front of you. That way an order is created, you can clearly see the sets of different values that you can make. Additionally, every new card you draw will already have a place for it.
Math Is Your Friend
Another mistake that needs to be talked about is the ignorance of mathematics by the players. The entire game hinges on you gaining maximum points and losing as few as you can. You need to know the best possible combinations of your cards before you put them out. Do not leave this imperative part of the game to assumption.
It’s okay to take your calculator out and do take into account the different values of the sets you make. Players think it will stall their game but it actually provides surety to your moves. You can be sure of the points you are accumulating and even gauge the amount of risk you can take with picking from the discarded pile.
The Opponent Game
Many players feel that they need to be perfect at their game to win. That is true, but one must not ignore their opponents when you are all running for the same price. Your competitors are the other half of the game, you cannot afford to leave them unattended.
Keep a close watch on what cards they pick and what they discard. It is a direct window to their plans. You can build yours around them. If nothing, it will help you decide what cards to pick and drop.
If you are comfortable, you can even go ahead and mislead them a bit. But only do this if you are super confident in your game.
Overconfidence Leads To The Dark Side
While overconfidence will and surely destroy your entire game, the worst possible effects will be seen in the declaration. We have talked above about how players need to play a sizable amount of practice games before entering the real ones. One downside to this can be the overconfidence that comes with winning games in a streak.
As advised above, you can overcome that by playing with friends and family to gain an idea of how real players play. Another cheat trick you can do is to watch a seasoned player play. If you have a Rummy lover friend, request them to let you watch them play. Watch their moves and compare their moves to yours.
This way, you can catch and learn from your failings without really having to fail. You can also watch recorded games on the internet to see how expert players play.
Declare At The Right Time
Declaration is single-handedly the most difficult aspect of a Rummy game. Are you declaring it too soon? Are you waiting too long? Is your opponent going to declare before you? There is no sure answer to those questions. Only you know your cards well enough to know when to declare.
The best way, however, is to look for the cards in your hand. Dispose of the high-value cards. Use the Jokers wisely. Always try to use the Ace for its highest advantage, although it may well be worth the sacrifice if it puts a few low or even middle-value cards to use.
These tricks will help you avoid the declaration pitfalls and you will come out on the top. You will realize that most Rummy mistakes are so easily avoidable that simply being aware of them makes you catch them the next time you play!
