The playing cards we see today have undergone a lot of changes through the time. But, there is one addition that made card games even more interesting. And this new addition is Joker! If you are into playing cards, you might know the significance of this card. A card deck in Indian rummy consists of a printed Joker, which made its debut in the 19th century as a trump card. Unlike other playing cards, it does not have a fixed rank but it does play an important role in rummy.
Rummy is a popular card game all around the world. As per rummy rules, the Joker is an important card that increases your chances of winning the game. This is one of the reasons why it is also regarded as the game-changing card in rummy. In order to make the most of the Joker, you should know how to use this card smartly. Keep reading to learn more.
Types of Jokers
The Joker can be used as a substitute for a missing card in an impure sequence or a set. There are two types of Jokers:
Wild Joker: At the beginning of the game, a card is selected at random. This card and the remaining three cards of the same rank become the wild Jokers in the game. For example, if 9♥ is the selected as Wild Joker, then all the 9s from the remaining suit i.e. Spades (♠), Clubs (♣) and Diamonds (♦) will be the Wild Joker of the game.
Printed Joker: This card has a Joker printed on it. It is one of the cards in a deck.
Despite being such an important card, the point value of the Joker is zero. When you play rummy online, you should wisely use the Joker. You might get very happy when you get three or more Jokers in your hand. But according to rummy rules, two sequences out of which one must be pure are required to make a valid declaration. So if you get too many Jokers and are still struggling to make a pure sequence, then you shouldn’t hesitate to discard the unwanted Jokers in your hand.
To help you use the card correctly, here are some tips:
Group the Joker with High Cards
High cards like kings, queens, jacks, and aces are worth 10 points each. If you have too many high cards that are left unused, they will add to your overall points and you might end up losing big if your opponent declares their hand before you. To avoid the big burden of points, group the Joker with high value cards to form a sequence/set.
Example: Q♣-K♣-9♦ (wild Joker), Q♥-K♥-PJ (printed Joker)
Discard Connecting Cards Around the Joker
If you get a wild Joker along with one or more cards that come immediately before or immediately after that card, try to get rid of them and use the Joker as a versatile card rather than in its original value. Most experts leverage on this strategy and it could make or break the game.
For example, if 6♠ is a wild Joker and you have 5♠, 6♠ and 7♠ in your hand, it’s not advisable to form that sequence as you can use the useful versatile Joker elsewhere and it may help you form the last sequence/set.
Do not rush into forming sets
When cards are dealt with, do not rush into creating sets but consider forming sequences at first. Wait for a Joker for some time. This is a useful strategy and it will also lower the risk of discarding a card that may be useful for creating a sequence.
Avoid using the Joker in a Quadruplet
There is no point in using a Joker and creating a quadruplet. For example, if you have four different suits of 7, then adding a Joker to the set would be useless. Instead, you can form a set of three 7s and use the Joker in another set or an impure sequence.
We are sure after reading this blog, you will be able to use the Joker in the best way possible. Use these tricks while playing rummy on Junglee Rummy, India’s most trusted platform, and maximize your chances of winning. Download the app right now and have unlimited fun gaming on your mobile. Happy gaming!
