Gin Rummy

Words to know

meld

A group of cards that counts: three or more of the same rank, or three or more in a row in one suit.

run

Three or more cards in a row in the same suit, like 5-6-7 of hearts.

deadwood

The cards left in your hand that fit no meld. Aces count 1, face cards 10, everything else its own number.

knock

To end the hand by laying your cards down, which you may do once your deadwood adds up to ten or less.

gin

A hand with no deadwood at all — every card you hold is in a meld. It wins the same way knocking does.

stock

The face-down pile you draw from.

rank

A card's number or picture — ace, 2 through 10, jack, queen, king.

suit

One of the four families of cards: spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs.

face up

Laid down so everyone can see which card it is.

face down

Laid down so nobody can see which card it is.

deck

The whole set of cards the game is played with.

discard pile

The pile where cards go once they're played or thrown away.