Player 1 goes down with 5–8 and 9-Q of spades, Player 2 (who is down) can play a 9 of spades on the first straight and an 8 on the second and so on. However, the player must separate these cards into two runs of four (or more) and can be played on separately, i.e. The sequence of seven hands is as follows:įor those hands that require multiple runs, if a player goes down using the same suit for more than one straight, the straights can be played with contiguous card values. Cards that remain in a player's hand may only be played onto the sets and runs already established on the table. While playing the first hand of two sets, no player may play three sets. Once a player has gone down by satisfying the requirements for that particular hand, he may not create any new sets or runs. Everyone moves on to the next hand together, regardless of whether they were able to go down during the previous hand. Each successive hand needs one more card for the opening requirements, until the seventh hand, which requires twelve cards to open. A minimum of six cards makes up the first hand's opening requirements, seven cards for the second hand, etc. The first hand requires a player to open, or "go down," with two sets. Each hand consists of a combination of sets and runs, and there is a different opening requirement for each of the seven hands. Seven different deals, or hands, make up one game. If there is an ace in the run, it can serve as either high card or low card, but not both in the same run. A run consists of four or more cards of the same suit, in sequence. After a card is drawn, one must be discarded, and the next player to the left has the option of drawing either the top discard or top stock card then he must discard.Ī set consists of three or more cards of the same face value, e.g., three queens, or three aces, or three sevens.
For example:Įach player is dealt 12 cards, the remaining stock pile is set on the table.
The number of decks used additional to the base of two is determined by dividing the number of players by two and rounding up, if needed.
Two 52-card decks are used plus two Jokers per deck.
Everyone draws one card, the high card deals, and the subsequent deals are passed to the left. The object of Continental Rummy is to be the player with the fewest penalty points after playing all seven hands.