INDONESIAN REMI

OBJECTIVE OF INDONESIAN REMI: The objective of Indonesian Remi is to be the first player to reach the point goal.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2 to 4 Players

MATERIALS: A standard deck of 52 cards, a way to keep score, and a flat play area.

TYPE OF GAME: Rummy Card Game

AUDIENCE: Adults

OVERVIEW OF INDONESIAN REMI

Indonesian Remi is a rummy card game for 2 to 4 players. The goal of the game is to earn the needed number of points to win before your opponents.

Before the game begins players should decide how many points the end goal should be.

SETUP

The first dealer is chosen at random and passes to the current losing player (with the lowest score) for each new deal. The dealer will shuffle the deck and deal each player a hand of 7 cards.

The remaining cards are made into a face-down stockpile.

Card Ranking, Point Values, and Melds

The ranking is traditional Ace (high), King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 (low).

Cards have values associated with them for scoring. Cards 2 through 10 are worth 5 points each. Jack, Queens, and Kings are worth 10 points each, and aces are worth 15.

This game has a slightly different way to make melds. Melds are split into two categories; there are sets and sequences. Sets are standard and consist of 3 or more cards of the same rank. Sequences however have a few more restrictions with them in a traditional rummy game. Sequences must contain 3 or more cards in rank order all in the same suit, but in addition to that, they must also follow the following restrictions. Sequences can either contain numeric cards of 2 through 10 or face cards of Jack, Queen, and King, but they may not contain both. Aces can also not be used in sequences at all.

For this game, players must complete one legal sequence before they can place set melds to the table.

Melds can also not be added to once they are placed on the table. There is no laying off in this game, and cards can not be reused in other melds. Once a card is placed in a meld to the table, it remains there till scoring is completed.

GAMEPLAY

The dealer is the first player and continues from them clockwise. On a player’s turn, they will draw either from the top of the stock or from the discard if they can, play any melds, and discard a card for the turn.

To draw a player may always choose to draw the top card of the stockpile. they draw and add it to their hand, and their draw step is complete. If they want to draw from the discard pile, then they must be able to follow the restrictions.

To draw from the discard, pile a player must be able to use one (and can only use one) of the top three cards of the discard pile. If they can use one of the cards to immediately form a meld with cards from their hand (remember you cannot for a set until you have formed a legal sequence) they may draw it. if you draw either the 2nd or 3rd card of the discard pile you must take the other cards above it into your hand. After you draw the card you must make the sequence and must use the specific card draw, and only the card drawn to form a meld from your hand. You cannot draw from the discard if doing so would leave you without a card to discard at the end of your turn. 

After drawing you may play a meld to the table. Keep in mind once melds are played to the table you may never add to them. You must also always have a card to discard at the end of your turn.

After playing you will discard one card to the discard pile. If this card is the only card remaining in your hand you will end the game. The last card discarded to end a game is called a closing card, and certain closing cards can earn you more points.

The round can also end if the stockpile is emptied and the next player chooses to not or cannot draw from the discard pile.

SCORING

Scoring is done after the round is concluded.

All players tally their points for their completed melds and subtract any points for cards remaining in their hands.

If a player ended the round, they receive additional points for their closing card. it is 10 times the value of the card they used to close the round.

END OF GAME

The game ends when a player reaches or exceeds the point total needed to win. This player has won.

Amber Crook
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