Whether a person is aware of the fact or not, mathematics is always there in every aspect of a person’s life. Be it calculation of time, money, or even what is popularly known as chance. Everything is a mathematical equation and the person who can solve every equation has the advantage over others in the game of life.
Coming to the virtual world, rummy is a game that requires a specific set of skills. What a lot of people tag as luck is just mathematics. Skills like observation, manipulation, and retreat require a person to calculate their cards and the chance of melding. The way the cards are arranged to the cards a player picks up from the closed deck, everything is a calculation.
3 ways mathematics helps in rummy
As mentioned above, rummy is a game of calculations, especially permutation and combination. The concept of chance and luck is also a mathematical formula. Permutation and combination knowledge allows a player to calculate the cards which they can get. Good knowledge of the same will help player hone their other skills.
- Keeping a tab of points.
Being a point-based game the aim of every player is to have as lower points as possible. The 13 card rummy game has a point of 80 for full hand. Based on the point value the player is playing for, these 80 points can decide the addition or subtraction of cash. A drop means 20 points and a mid-drop means 40 points. Both these scenarios are better than a full hand. Once the game starts a player who has enough practice will know the probability of their card and can decide to play or drop accordingly. Many a time a card is such that playing is the only option – for example, a set like 5 and 7 of hearts, 3 Jokers, 10 and King of clubs, 9 of hearts, spades and clubs and a diamond Ace. The points in this hand are 69. Such a hand has a good chance of melding especially is the Joker is 3 or 8. But, after r turns if there is no pure sequence then dropping is the only sensible option.
- Keeping a tab on the discarded cards.
This happens a lot in multiple players’ games. Often a player sees that the cards they require are being discarded by the player who isn’t sitting on their immediate left (who can discard the cards needed by the player). The 13 cards rummy with multiple players uses 2 decks of cards, meaning 52 cards. There will be 9 jokers (including the wild card ones) and double of every other card. A player might need a 6 of hearts to lower their points or declare their hands and both these cards get discarded. In such instances the need to change the hand becomes crucial.
- Tricking the opponents.
One of the surest ways to win is by tricking the opponents. Players often mislead their opponents to discard cards for their benefit. This calculation is based on manipulating the concept of probability and chance. Like every other player, the opponent too keeps a tab of the cards discarded, and they can be tricked into discarding a card to form a 4 card run or a set which is required for melding.
Conclusion
The Indian rummy game is based on skills and the main one is mathematics. Whether the player is a mathematics genius or simply starting to learn about that particular skill, a few games of practice rummy will help them develop their analytical and strategical mind. From knowing the number of jokers in the deck to the cards discarded which play a crucial role in keeping or changing the hand, calculations are everything for a game of rummy.