Rummy is one of the most popular games of all time. It is also an ancient game and has been with us for a long time. Rummy is played all around the globe. In India, rummy is one of the most famous games that are played to pass time. It is also played at the times of festivals and get-togethers.
People who have to go on long commutes for work purposes also play rummy. It is a game that is played for many reasons. Some just want to play to pass time, some want to bond over snacks, while some want to play to earn a little extra income for themselves.
This is such an interesting game that don’t you feel that we should know when was the game originated? Who created this skillful game and where was it invented and what was the thought behind it?
Let’s go back in time and find a little bit more about rummy.
A little background:
It is said that Indian Rummy was an extension of gin rummy and 500 rum, which originated in the United States. There are many varied facts of the history and origin of the rummy card game. This game has evolved over time and at different places.
The different variants of rummy:
Conquian Origin:
Rummy is an evolved version of the Conquian card game, which was originated in Spain or Mexico. It is said the Conquian was invented by the Spanish and was brought to American by the Spanish immigrants.
According to history, Conquian is considered the very first version of rummy and all the other forms were invented after it. It is also believed that the spread of rummy throughout the United States of America happened during the 19th century. And, after America, rummy reached England, where it got its name ‘rummy’.
Conquian is played with Spanish playing cards or a pack of 40 cards which should include A, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, J, Q, and K. it is played with 2 or more players. The aim of the game is to get rid of all your cards, including the last drawn card.
Asian Origin:
China had a card game called ‘Mahjong’ almost a thousand years ago. Just like rummy, Mahjong also had the same pick and drop style. This is a fact that proves that rummy had some connection with its origination in China.
In the 19th century, Mahjong or rummy, both were known by different names such as ‘Khanhoo’ and ‘Kon Khin’. The game was loved by the Chinese, which makes it a possibility that it was invented in China and then later came to India.
There are some theories that say that rummy came from Japan and it was evolved from the Japanese game ‘Hanafuda’. It is a game that was created by the Portuguese people who came to Japan.
Poker Origin:
One other theory also says that the rummy card game was evolved from a form or variant of poker known as Whiskey Poker. It is said that Whiskey Poker had many similarities with the game of Rummy that we play today. Even rummy was subsequently known as Rum Poker and then eventually it got the name Rummy.
Indian Rummy:
It is a truth that rummy means Indian Rummy in India. And, when someone says rummy, everybody will imagine Indian Rummy in their heads. Indian Rummy is a popular game in India and it is a variant of the rummy game. The game involves making valid sets out of the 13 cards that are dealt at the table to each player.
Each player will have to draw and discard cards until one of them completes the aim of the game by combining all their cards into valid sets.
There are many theories all around the world that relates to rummy in some of the other way. But, there are no established proofs of any country that can rightfully say that they invented rummy. Let us know which stories have you heard about rummy in the comments below.
