Two-Player Gin Rummy Rules

Two-player setup

1. Use one standard 52-card deck with no jokers.
2. Deal 10 cards to each player.
3. Turn one card face up to start the discard pile.
4. Place the rest face down as the stock.

Players keep their hands hidden. Discards are public, but you may take only the top card of the discard pile.

Who goes first?

In common rules, the non-dealer gets first choice of the face-up card. If the non-dealer passes, the dealer may take it. If both pass, the non-dealer draws from the stock and play continues normally.

Casual tables sometimes simplify this: the non-dealer just takes the first normal turn. Either approach works if both players agree before the hand starts.

Normal turns

On each turn:

1. Draw the top stock card or the top discard.
2. Arrange your cards into sets and runs.
3. Discard one card to end your turn.

If you take the top discard, common rules require you to discard a different card on that same turn.

Ending a hand

There are three common endings:

• Knock: after drawing, one player discards and reveals a hand with 10 deadwood points or less.
• Gin: one player discards and reveals a hand with no deadwood.
• Stock draw: if the stock runs down to two cards with no knock or gin, many rules cancel the hand with no score.

Two-player scoring

After the hand ends:

• If the knocker has lower deadwood after any layoffs, the knocker scores the difference.
• If the defender has equal or lower deadwood after layoff, the defender scores an undercut bonus plus the difference.
• If a player goes gin, they score a gin bonus plus the opponent's deadwood.
• A common game target is 100 points.

Quick reference

Related guides