The number of jokers used should be one fewer than the number of players, so The game is best played by three to five players the optimum number is four.Ĭontract Rummy is played with two standard decks of 52 cards, plus jokers.

This description is based on a contribution from Magnus. Links to several other web pages with rules of various Contract Rummy games can be found at the end of this page. The original game of the group was Zioncheck, invented by Ruth Armson in the 1930's, which had just six contracts. This page describes several games which are so similar that they can almost be regarded as variations of or alternative names for the same game. The contracts become progressively more demanding on each deal. In each round there is a different contract: players have to collect a particular combination of groups and sequences before they are allowed to meld. This page is partly based on contributions from Magnus and Greg Petras.Ĭontract Rummy is a version of Rummy consisting of a series of rounds.