Play Contract Rummy Online Free with Friends

How to play Contract Rummy

1. THE IDEA: seven deals, and in each you must lay down a set CONTRACT before you can do anything else — 1: two sets · 2: a set and a run · 3: two runs · 4: three sets · 5: two sets and a run · 6: a set and two runs · 7: three runs. Ten cards each for the first four deals, twelve after that. Two decks and two jokers; the lowest total after the seventh deal wins.
2. A SET is three or more cards of one rank (suits do not matter — two 7♠ is fine with two decks). A RUN is four or more cards in sequence in one suit; the ace is low (A-2-3-4) or high (J-Q-K-A), never both. JOKERS are wild and stand for any card, but a meld must always hold more real cards than jokers.
3. On your turn, DRAW one card — from the stock or the top of the discard pile — then, at the end of the turn, DISCARD one. The discard you just took may not go straight back.
4. LAYING DOWN: once your hand holds the whole contract, press LAY DOWN and it goes on the table in one go. The table finds the arrangement for you and boxes it in your hand beforehand, so you can see exactly what will go. Only the contract's melds go down — nothing else — and only once per deal.
5. LAYING OFF: from your next turn on, you may add cards from your hand to ANY meld on the table, yours or anybody else's — a fourth card on a set, the next card at either end of a run, a joker where it fits. Tap the card, then the meld that lights up.
6. GOING OUT: the deal ends the moment somebody has no cards left, whether by discarding the last one or laying it off. Everybody else scores the cards still in their hand — against them: a joker 50, an ace 15, a face card 10, the rest their number.
7. There is no buying of discards out of turn at this table: the player whose turn it is takes the discard or leaves it. Points add up over the seven deals, and the LOWEST total wins.

Contract Rummy strategy

The basics that turn knowing the rules into winning games — what to do first, what to keep, what to avoid.

• Know the contract before you look at your hand, and sort for it: pairs matter in a sets deal, suits matter in a runs deal.
• A joker is worth 50 against you — get it on the table early, and never discard one.
• Take the discard only when it goes straight into a meld; a card taken for "maybe" is a card everybody has seen you want.
• Get down first. Once you are down you can lay off on everybody's melds and shed cards every turn; a player still holding the whole contract is the one who gets caught.
• In the runs deals (2 runs, 3 runs), hold the middle cards — a 7 and an 8 can grow either way; a king only grows one.
• Discard high, unconnected cards early. What is left in your hand when somebody goes out is what you score, and an ace costs 15.

Contract Rummy FAQ

What are the seven contracts?

Two sets; a set and a run; two runs; three sets; two sets and a run; a set and two runs; three runs. A set is three or more of a rank, a run four or more in sequence in one suit.

Do I have to arrange my melds?

No. When your hand holds the contract the table boxes the arrangement and offers LAY DOWN — one press puts it on the table.

Can I buy the discard out of turn?

Not at this table. The player whose turn it is takes the discard or leaves it, which keeps a table of people on phones moving.

How is it scored?

When somebody goes out, everybody else scores the cards left in hand against them: a joker 50, an ace 15, a face card 10, the rest their number. Lowest total after seven deals wins.

Do I need an account?

No. Type a name and play — no signup, no download, nothing to install. Making an account is optional and only exists to keep your stats, nickname and preferences across devices.

Is it really free?

Yes, all of it. Every game on Board Game Universe is free to play, with no premium tier holding anything back.

Can I play on my phone?

Yes. It runs in a mobile browser on phones and tablets as well as on a desktop — there is no app to download.

How do I play with my friends?

Start a table and send your friends the link. They open it, type a name, and sit down. Moves and table chat happen in real time.

Can I play against the computer?

Yes. Add a bot to any table and it plays a proper game — useful for filling a seat while you wait for a fourth.