Rummy 500 is a meld card game where players score points by laying down sets and runs, then subtracting the value of unplayed cards. The first player to reach 500 points wins. Here are the full rummy 500 rules, including the distinctive rule for picking up buried cards from the discard pile, so you can deal and start playing.
How to Play Rummy 500 Setup and Deal
Rummy 500 uses one 52 card deck. Deal fewer cards in a two player game and fewer still when more people join.
- With 2 players, deal 13 cards each.
- With 3 or more players, deal 7 cards each.
Put the remaining cards face down as the stock. Turn the top card face up beside it to start the discard pile. Play moves clockwise.
Turn Structure Draw and Meld
On your turn, draw first. Then meld or lay off if you can. Finish by placing one card face up on the discard pile.
Drawing From The Stock Or The Discard Pile
Draw the top card of the stock, face down, or take a card from the discard pile. If you want a card that is not on top of the discard pile, take that card plus every card above it. You must then meld the chosen card on that same turn. This is the key rummy 500 discard pile rule: a buried card is never free. You take the pile above it, and you use the card immediately in a meld.
Melds And Lay Offs
Melds are sets of three or four cards of the same rank, such as three 7s, or runs of three or more cards in the same suit, such as 5 6 7 of hearts. Lay off cards onto any player's melds. Add a 4 to a run of 5 6 7, or add a fourth 7 to a set of three 7s.
Scoring Points for Cards and Melds
Assign points to each card as follows:
- Aces: 15 points, or 1 point when used low in an A 2 3 run
- Face cards (K, Q, J): 10 points each
- Number cards (2 through 10): face value, so a 2 scores 2 and a 10 scores 10
When a hand ends, add the value of every card you melded, including cards laid off on your melds. Subtract the value of cards still in your hand. That is your score for the hand. The first player to reach 500 points wins the game.
Ending a Hand and Going Out
A hand ends when a player melds all their cards and places one final card on the discard pile, leaving an empty hand. Every other player then adds their meld points and subtracts the points still in hand. The player who went out scores only meld points, with nothing to subtract. If the stock runs out first, the hand ends and everyone scores normally.
Example Hand Score
You have melded three 5s for 15 points and a run of 8 9 10 in spades for a few points. Two 3s remain in your hand, worth 6 points. Your meld total is a bit higher. Subtract the 6 points in hand for a hand score of a bit less.
Special Rule Picking Up Deep in the Discard Pile
This rule sets Rummy 500 apart from other meld games. When you want a card that is not the top card of the discard pile, do this:
- Take that card plus every card above it into your hand.
- Meld the chosen card on that same turn.
Do not stash the extra cards and plan to throw them away later. The chosen card must be melded immediately. That forces a real decision: you may accept several dead cards just to reach one useful card. Those extra cards stay in your hand and count against you at the end of the hand unless you meld or lay them off later.
Winning the Game First to 500
Play continues hand after hand, adding each hand score to your total. Under the 500 rum rules, the first player whose cumulative total reaches or exceeds 500 points wins. If two players cross 500 in the same hand, the higher total wins. Going over 500 carries no penalty; the game ends immediately.