Here's a brief overview of how Rainbow Rummy is played:
Setup: Rainbow Rummy is typically played with a standard deck of 52 cards. The game can be played by 2 to 6 players.
Dealing: Seven cards are dealt to each player at the beginning of the game. The remaining cards are placed face down to form the draw pile, with one card turned face up to start the discard pile.
Objective: The objective of Rainbow Rummy is to form valid sets and sequences of cards in your hand. A valid set is composed of three or four cards of the same rank but different suits (e.g., 5 of hearts, 5 of clubs, 5 of diamonds). A valid sequence is formed by three or more consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 3 of hearts, 4 of hearts, 5 of hearts).
Gameplay: On their turn, players can either draw a card from the draw pile or pick up the top card from the discard pile. After drawing, they must discard one card from their hand to the discard pile. The game proceeds clockwise.
Forming Sets and Sequences: Players work to form sets and sequences in their hand. They can rearrange their cards as needed to create valid combinations. To go out, a player must have at least one valid set or sequence in their hand.
Going Out: When a player has formed at least one valid set or sequence and can place all of their remaining cards onto the discard pile, they can declare "Rummy" and end the round. The other players then have one final turn to try to improve their hands.
Scoring: After a player goes out, the round ends, and the players' hands are scored. The winner of the round scores zero points, while the other players score points based on the value of the cards remaining in their hands. The game typically continues for multiple rounds until a predetermined score limit is reached.
Rainbow Rummy adds an extra layer of challenge and strategy to the classic Rummy game, requiring players to carefully manage their hands to create diverse sets and sequences.