History of Gin Rummy – Card Game

Here’s what you need to know about the origins of your favorite Gin Rummy card game.

It looks like you’re someone important—only a select few get access here. You can call me Bogey. Curious about the history of Gin Rummy and its future? I’ve got a moment before my next scene, so let’s dive in.

To understand what makes a game “Rummy,” know that it’s any game where players draw and discard cards to form groups called “melds.” Gin Rummy is closest to the original Rummy game. In Gin Rummy, the goal is to be the first to lay down all your cards in melds face-up on the table. Your score is based on the amount of leftover cards, called Deadwood, you and your opponent have.

There are many different versions of Rummy. For example, Michigan Rummy scores based on the sum of your Deadwood and melds. Contract Rummy, inspired by Contract Bridge, has its own specific rules. Canasta is played by four people in teams of two, and there are more complex versions like Samba and Bolivia. Other variations include Carousel, Vatikan, and Czech Rummy, where you play your melds face-up and can rearrange or add cards during the game.

As for Rummy’s origins, there’s some debate. Gin Rummy, as we know it, began in 1909. It appears to be a mix of Conquian and Rum (or Knock Rummy), which dates back to at least 1905. Elwood T. Baker, a Whist teacher, is credited with adapting the game in Brooklyn, New York, in 1909. It gained popularity in the 1920s, during the lively New York nightlife. Gin Rummy was very popular then, but its popularity faded after 1930. Interestingly, from 1909 until the mid-1930s, it was known as Gin Poker.

Why is it called Gin Poker? That’s a good question since it has nothing to do with poker. During the Great Depression, people had less money to spend and had to find entertainment at home. Gin Rummy became very popular because it was easy to learn and fun for everyone. It caught on with celebrities in Hollywood and Broadway, and even characters played by Flora Robson and Errol Flynn in The Sea Hawk (1940) enjoyed it. Ingrid Bergman and I used to play it during breaks while filming Casablanca (1942). It’s a quick game that you can pause and continue later.

Today, you can play Gin Rummy almost anywhere thanks to the Internet. I personally enjoy Grand Gin Rummy, which I have on my smartphone. You can find it on Google Play and the App Store. Feel free to add me as a friend, and we can play together sometime.