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Joker Card in Rummy
It’s a lesser-known fact that the joker card was a late addition to the deck of playing cards. The card was added to the deck of printed cards as an extra trump card in the 1860s. The joker rummy card in the deck contains an image of a jester in the court. Joker plays an important role in the rummy game and has its own set of joker rules. Its value varies from game to game, but the joker card in rummy is a valuable card for each player.
What is the role of the Joker in Rummy game?
While the joker card doesn’t play a defined role in a deck of playing cards, its role varies depending on the type of game being played. For instance, it is used as a wild card in some games, a high card, a trump card, or a low card in other games.
In rummy, the joker card plays an important role, and a rummy player must understand how it can be used strategically in sets and sequences to reduce the points in hand.
The joker card is used as a replacement or a substitute for missing cards when making a set or an impure sequence in rummy. There are two types of jokers used in any particular game of rummy - Printed Joker and Wild Joker. Knowing the correct usage and role of the joker card in rummy card games is critical to your success.
History of Joker Cards
The joker was added to the deck of printed cards as an extra trump card in the 1860s. The modern-day standard deck of playing cards consists of 52 cards, including Aces (As), face cards (Ks, Qs, Js), and the number cards ( 2s through 10s). The 52 cards are divided into four different suits. Along with the 52 cards, each deck also contains one printed joker, which was a significant addition in the 1860s.
The joker card was first used in the 20th century in America as a trump card while playing the card game Euchre. The card became quite popular and was later adopted by many other card games, including Indian Rummy.
Importance of Joker in Rummy Card Game
While some players play rummy without the joker card to make the game more challenging, it is advisable that rummy beginners use the joker cards to play rummy as they make the game fun and easy. In Indian Rummy, two types of jokers are used – Printed Joker and Wild Joker. The joker card plays a vital role in the game due to its points – the joker cards carry zero points.
Therefore, strategically using the cards (wild and printed jokers) to reduce the points in hand is crucial for the game. The joker cards also help link a group of cards to make an impure sequence or set faster.
Printed Joker
A deck of 52 cards always contains two extra cards. These cards are the printed joker cards that are printed with an image of the jester in court. As per the rummy joker rules, the printed joker is also used as a joker in the rummy card game.
Wild Joker
A wild joker or the joker card is a joker that is chosen randomly from the deck. At the beginning of the rummy game, after the players have been dealt 13 cards each, the dealer pulls out a card randomly from the closed deck on the table. The card pulled out randomly is called the wild joker card. For instance, if the card is 10♥, then the wild joker in the game will be 10. As per the rummy game rules, the 10s of all suits can be used as a substitute for any missing card in a set or impure sequence.
Wild Joker vs Printed Joker - What's the difference?
When playing rummy, the standard deck of 52 cards also includes a card with a joker printed on it. The card is a printed joker, and every deck includes printed jokers that are used in Indian Rummy variants.
A wild joker can be any card from the deck that is chosen randomly to act as a wild joker. As per the rummy rules, it is picked at the beginning of the game. A wild joker can be any card from 2 through Ace. After the dealer deals cards to all the players, the topmost card of the draw pile is turned face-up and becomes the wild card.
Therefore, unlike the printed joker card, a wild card changes in every game. However, both printed and wild jokers are used for the same purpose (to form impure sequences and sets) in every Indian Rummy game.
Joker Sequence in Rummy
Both printed jokers and wild jokers can be used to form sets and impure sequences in rummy. While making sequences in rummy, the joker card should be used strategically. While you can use the printed joker instantly to form an impure sequence suit, it is wise to wait before using the wild joker in a sequence to avoid discarding the wrong cards.
Here's how you can use the jokers to form sets, impure sequences, and in rare cases, even to form a pure sequence in the game of rummy.
Using Joker in Sets
Here are a few examples of how you can use printed and wild jokers in sets:
Example 1
For instance, you have a 10♥ and 10♣ in hand. During the next turn, you draw a wild joker (5♣) or a printed joker. You can group the joker with the 10s to make a set.
Example 2
If you have a pre-made set in hand, such as J♣ J♦ J♥, you can add a joker to make it a valid set of four cards.
Using Joker in Impure Sequence
Here are a few examples of how you can use printed and wild jokers in impure sequences:
Example 1
For instance, you have two cards of the same suit K♦ Q♦. During your next turn if you draw a wild joker 5♣ or a printed joker, you can group it with the two cards to create an impure sequence K♦ Q♦ Joker or K♦ Q♦ 5♣. Similarly, you can also create an impure sequence by grouping three consecutive cards of the same rank with a joker.
Example 2
For instance, you have two printed jokers or one printed and one wild joker (5♣) and also have 10♦ 8♦ 6♦ in hand. You can create an impure sequence using both jokers in the same group 10♦ Joker 8♦ Joker 6♦ or 10♦ Joker 8♦ 5♣ 6♦.
Example 3
If you have two printed jokers and one wild joker (5♣) in hand and no other cards to meld, you can also combine all the jokers to create an impure sequence or set - Joker Joker 5♣.
Using Joker in Pure Sequence
Generally, jokers cannot be used in a pure sequence as that would make the sequence impure. However, in a rare situation, only a wild joker can be used in a pure sequence. If the wild joker is used in its original value and is of the same suit as other cards in the sequence, the wild joker can be used to create the pure sequence. The joker should not be used as a substitute for any missing card.
Example 1
For instance, if you have 4♣ and 6♣ in hand, and the wild joker in the game is 5♣, you can use the wild joker to create a pure sequence 4♣ 5♣ 6♣.
What is the usage of Wild Joker in Rummy?
The wild joker in rummy games is a card that is chosen randomly at the start of the game. Once the wild joker is picked, all the cards of the same rank become wild jokers. For example, if 5♣ is picked as a wild card, then all the suits of 5 will act as wild cards in the game.
The wild cards act as a substitute for any missing card in a set or an impure sequence in rummy. As per the rummy game rules, you need to form at least two sequences, including one pure sequence. Therefore, when you form a pure sequence, you can use the wild cards to form an impure sequence or a set quickly.
How do Jokers work in Rummy?
Undoubtedly jokers are an integral part of the Indian rummy games. According to the rummy rules, players can use the wild jokers and printed jokers to form sets and impure sequence in rummy. For instance, if you have two ungrouped cards as 7♥ and 8♥, and you also have a joker. You can group the cards with a joker as 7♥ 8♥ PJ/WJ and call it an impure sequence.
Can we use 2 Jokers in a set in Rummy?
Players can use a maximum of two printed or wild jokers in a set while playing rummy. Even if you have more than two jokers, you cannot form one set or one impure sequence with more than two jokers.
What if the Wild Joker turns out to be a Printed Joker?
In a game of rummy, players use two standard decks when the number of players is higher. Each deck contains 52 cards and 2 printed jokers. The jokers play a vital role in forming a set or an impure sequence in rummy.
While the printed jokers are a part of the deck, the wild jokers are chosen randomly from the deck. A wild joker can be any card from 2 through Ace. Therefore, sometimes the card picked at random to form the wild joker may turn out to be a Printed Joker.
In situations where the wild card drawn from the closed deck turns out to be a printed joker, the rummy rules state that all the aces become the joker for those particular rummy games.
Tips to ace a Rummy Game with a Joker Card
The joker cards are an essential part of the Indian Rummy card game that can be used to gain an edge in the game. In situations where you get more than one joker in a particular game, your should know how to use them to your advantage. Therefore, joker management is something you must learn to make the best use of a joker in hand. Here are a few rummy tips you can implement to use a joker strategically while playing online:
Make a Pure Sequence First
When you learn how to play rummy, one of the first rules is to form a pure sequence as soon as possible. Creating a pure sequence at the initial stage is more like a rule than a strategy. Also, with a joker card, it’s best to first make a pure sequence with the cards available rather than using those cards with a joker. A pure sequence is the most important sequence in the cards rummy game as it helps reduce the points in hand even if another player makes a declaration.
Use Joker with High-Value Cards
In online rummy, you must get rid of the high-value cards at the earliest if they don’t fit in a sequence or set. However, if you have a joker card, you can try using the higher-value cards to meld them into a sequence or set and reduce the points in hand.
Discard Adjacent Cards
If you have a wild joker card, the adjacent cards can be discarded. This is a strategy commonly used by rummy beginners, where they discard the adjacent cards if they receive a wild card. For instance, if you receive a wild card, a 5♥, you can discard cards such as 6 and 7 and instead use the wild joker to make a sequence or set with high-value cards. Alternatively, if you have cards that could be melded into a sequence but only have one card missing, the wild joker can be used to complete the sequence rather than making a new sequence using cards adjacent to the wild joker.
Discard the Joker When Required
As essential as it is to use the joker card wisely, sometimes you may have to get rid of the joker card based on the situation. While getting one or two joker cards may be suitable for your game strategy, getting too many joker cards is not so beneficial for your game. With a lot of jokers, it may become difficult for you to form a pure sequence. This is where you have to get rid of the extra joker rummy cards.
Using A Joker to make an Impure Sequence
When you play rummy, one of the essential roles of a joker card is in an impure sequence. An impure sequence is a group of 3 or more cards of the same suit, arranged consecutively, with a wild joker or a joker card included. For instance, 6♥, 7♥, PJ, and 9♥ is an impure sequence. Here, the printed joker is used to substitute for the 8♥. Similarly, a wild joker can also be used to complete an impure sequence. Taking the same example, if you have a wild card, say 2♠, you can use it to complete the sequence 6♥, 7♥, 2♠, and 9♥ by replacing 8♥ with the 2♠ card.
Using A Joker to make Sets
Another critical role of the joker card is in the making of sets. A set is a group of 3 or more cards of the same value but different suits. For instance, A♥ A♣ A♦ and 8♦ 8♣ 8♠ 8♥ are two different sets. However, if any one of the cards in the above sets is missing, but you have a wild card or printed joker, you can complete your set by using the jokers.
For example, you can make a set with A♥ A♣ PJ or 8♦ PJ 8♠ 8♥. Similarly, you can use a wild joker in a set, say the wild joker is 8♥, the set can be made using A♥ A♣8♥ or 8♦ 8♣ 8♥ 8♥. Here 8♥ is used to substitute for the missing A♦ and A♠ in the first example, or the missing 8♠ in the second example.
Avoid Using Joker as the Fourth Card in a Set
If you think of it wisely, you will see no point in using the joker card in a set of three cards. For instance, if you have A♥ A♣ A♦ as a set, there’s no point in using a joker in the set A♥ A♣ A♦PJ as it will be useless. Instead, you can use the card to group high-value cards in an impure sequence or set.
