Speed
A fast-paced card game where players race to get rid of all their cards simultaneously. There are no turns - play happens in real-time as fast as you can spot valid plays.
What You'll Need
About This Game
A fast-paced card game where players race to get rid of all their cards simultaneously. There are no turns - play happens in real-time as fast as you can spot valid plays.
How to Play
- Deal 5 cards to each player's hand, 15 to their draw pile
- Place remaining cards in two center piles (spit piles)
- Flip top card of each spit pile
- Both players play simultaneously - no turns!
- Play cards from hand that are one higher or lower than spit pile cards
- Draw from personal pile to maintain 5 cards in hand
- When stuck, both players flip new spit cards
- First to empty their hand and draw pile wins
- Winner takes smaller spit pile for next round
- Game ends when one player runs out of cards entirely
Where to Buy
History & Background
Rummy's origins are debated, but it likely evolved from the Mexican game Conquian in the 19th century. Some scholars trace influences to Chinese games like Mahjong, which shares the draw-and-discard meld mechanic.
The name "Rummy" may come from the British slang "rum" meaning strange or odd. Another theory connects it to Rum Poker, an early variant. By 1910, Rummy was established in America and spreading worldwide.
Rummy became the foundation for an entire family of games. Gin Rummy, Canasta, Rummikub, and dozens of variants all descend from basic Rummy. The core mechanic - drawing, discarding, and melding sets and runs - proved infinitely adaptable.
Rummy remains one of the world's most played card games. Its balance of luck and skill, combined with quick gameplay, makes it ideal for casual play. Professional Rummy tournaments exist in India, where the game has massive popularity.