If playing rummy for the first time, you must start by understanding the role and importance of each card, especially the Joker. This is that card that really helps you increase your chances of winning. So, if you want to come up with great strategies and guarantee a win at every match, then learn everything about the Joker. This card can completely change the match if used wisely for creating sequences.
Understanding the Role of Joker Card
Well, starting with the basics always helps in creating a strong foundation. This is why we will start by helping you understand the role of this card.
What is a Joker Card?
The Joker card comes with zero points; this is exactly what makes this so important in a game. You can easily reduce the points in hand simply by strategically using Joker in rummy games. One can easily use this as a replacement for any missing card during an impure set or sequence. This is of two main types:
- Printed Joker: This one looks completely different from others in the card and comes with an image of the jester in court. You will have 2 of these in all 52 card decks and they are used as a regular Joker in the game.
- Wild Joker: This one is known as the Joker rummy card, and it is picked randomly from the deck. This is decided by randomly pulling out a card from the closed deck after 13 cards are dealt to each player. The 10s of any suit are easily used as a substitute for the missing cards in any impure sequence or set.
Rules regarding Joker Card
Similar to all other cards, the Joker also has its own rules and restrictions. Some of the rules that you should keep in mind while using a Joker card are:
- Jokers are widely used in online rummy to make sets and impure sequences. On the other hand, it can only be used in pure sequences if it is of the consecutive rank or same suit.
- One cannot use more than two Joker cards to build a set or sequence.
- If someone is melding a set like 6♣️6♠️6♥️6♦️, then there is no room to use a Joker card as the 5th one. This is because a set of cards cannot carry more than 4 cards.
Creating Sets and Sequences with a Rummy Joker
Using Joker in Rummy games for sets and impure sequences involves understanding the perfect way to meld. Some of the ways in which one can do this are:
- Wild Joker in Set
Let us take, for instance that you have three cards of the same value in a set like 7♠️7♥️7♦️ and the wild joker is of 4♣️. In this case, you will just have to use the Joker as a substitute for a 7♣️ card. In that case, your set will become 7♠️7♥️7♦️4♣️
- Printed Joker in Set
If you have 6♥️ and 6♠️ in hand, then there is a smart way of using the printed joker – PJ. You will just have to use the PJ to complete the set 6♥️ 6 PJ.
- Wild Joker in Impure Sequence
If you have a set that has three cards belonging to the same suit like 5♦️ 6♦️ 8♦️, and also have a wild joker 3♠️, then there is a smart way of dealing with it. You will just have to use the wild joker for substituting 7♦️. Thus creating an impure sequence 5♦️ 6♦️ 3♠️8♦️.
- Printed Joker in Impure Sequence
This is applicable when you have two cards like J♣️ and K♣️ and also a printed joker (PJ) in hand. Then you will have to PJ in place of Q♣️, thus creating a sequence like J♣️ PJ K♣️
Tips on Using the Joker Card
Using the Joker Card can seem a little hard if you are doing it for the first time. However, you can simplify this with a few tips and tricks. Some of the tips that you can really find helpful for this are:
- Do not use Joker in a pure sequence
Sets in rummy can be of pure and impure sequence. A pure sequence is one that has 3 cards or more belonging to the same suit. On the other hand, an impure is the one that does not match this criteria. There is really no point in using a Joker card in pure sequences as you will get to have any added benefits with this.
So, it is always best to keep this away from a pure sequence. Moreover, it should only be used when you are stuck in an impure sequence. For instance, using a 6♠️ Joker in a sequence of 5♠️ and 7♠️ will help you make an impure sequence.
- Try to make a bigger sequence with the card
A sequence is made up of 3 or 4 consecutive cards belonging to the same suit. Well, when you are trying to make an impure sequence with a Joker card then you should always try to create a big sequence. Basically, how that goes is, if you have 5♥️, 6♥️, 8♥️, and 9♥️, then you can easily use the joker card right in the spot of 7♥️. Thus, creating a perfect impure sequence.
This can be a great trick once you learn how to do it the right way in rummy. The Joker is great for making bigger sequences, thus helping you lay cards from a good amount of hand. However, you should remember that you will have to create at least one pure sequence before you get to declare the hand.
- Use Joker with cards of high-value
Well, if you are playing an Indian rummy game then you already know how to transform the Joker into the Trump card. During this game, you are required to lower the points if you want to beat your opponent before the game ends. The high-value cards like King, Queen, Ace, Jack, and 10 all individually come with a value of 10. In case, you fail to create a set with high-value cards then you can easily use the Joker card to create an impure set or sequence. For instance, if you have cards like K♠️ and Q♠️ then you can use the Joker like the J or Ace♠️. This helps create an impure sequence and works the same way for an impure set.
- Use the Joker confidently
Well, using the Joker card can seem a little tough in the first place. This is because this card is different from the other ones but can be used the way the set requires. On top of that, playing a safe game doesn’t mean that you will win in the end. So, why not take a few chances and see where it leads? Plus, using the Joker card at the right time and in the right way can help you beat your opponent with ease. This is why it is always best to think of ways you can use this card. One thing that you should keep in mind, is if you feel a call to use the card then you should definitely use it during a sequence.
- Use your card strategically
Even though using the Joker card comes with a high chance of winning, it is still best to consider all possibilities. There can be chances that you can still lose the game even after you have used a Joker in a rummy game match. So, it is always important to ask yourself which cards you are okay losing and which ones you need to protect at all costs. This is genuinely one of the best ways one can make a smart decision during the rummy match.
- Keep the Joker for the Triplets
You will need a minimum of 3 cards when completing a sequence and set in a 13-card Indian rummy. This is why, if you take our word for it then you should use the Joker card in triplets rather than in any other one. Using the card in another set doesn’t give you any add-on benefit, thus lowering your chances of winning. If you have already completed a set or sequence with three cards then you will not have to use the Joker card anymore. Rather, try saving it and using it in a set or sequence that will let you declare the game.
Conclusion
Using the Joker in a rummy game is pretty easy if you have already cracked how to do it. This is why we have helped you understand all the basics and important things about this card, making it easy for you to use it in a rummy online match. We are sure that this will be useful for your understanding and make it easy for you to win every match.
