3-13 Speed

A rapid version of 3-13 Rummy for larger groups, contributed by Stan Stone

Object: Players collect sets of 3 or more cards in a sequence or of the same value. Play each hand by drawing and discarding cards until one player’s cards form one or more clean or wild sets. A wild set has one or more wild cards. A wild card is the card that matches the numbers of cards dealt to each player in that hand. Card values in a set do not count against the player whereas unmatched cards score against the player. Score each hand. Play 11 hands from 3 to 13 cards. Low score wins.

Players: 2 or more players. Excellent for a large group (12 people). Goes fast.

Needed: 4 standard 52-card decks without jokers.

Setup: shuffle the decks then spread them out in the middle of the table. Determine the "caller" by drawing the highest card. Select a scorekeeper.

Scoring: A set is a minimum of 3 cards of the same value (rank) such as 5’s, 9’s or Q’s, or a sequence for 3 consecutive cards in the same suit such as 7, 8, 9 of diamonds or J, Q, K of clubs. Aces are only low: Q, K A is not a sequence. A wild card or cards can be used to complete any set. A wild card cannot be used in more than one set at the same time. Any valid set of 3 or more cards is safe - no penalty points are counted against a player’s sets. The discard cannot be kept to make a set - players must always diuscard a card on every turn. If at the end of athe play a player has cards that are not part of a set they are totaled and scored against him. Number cards count their face value (aces 1). Face cards count 10 points.

Play: The first hand starts with each player drawing 3 cards at random from the middle. Each player then draws one card and places it face up to the left to start their discard pile. Players look in their hands for a match or sequence of 3 cards.

The first hand of 3 cards can be won with 3 matching or 3 sequenced cards or by 2 matching or 2 sequenced cards and a wild card or two wild cards and any other card. If during the setup a player finds their hand is matched the player calls "match" before the caller yells "draw" and everyone has one draw. A late call allows the play to go another round.

If no one has a set the caller says, "draw" and each player draws a card from either the face down middle pile or his right hand neighbor’s discard pile. Players attempt to make sets or reduce their score. After the draw each player determines which card they want to discard. They then hold it face down on the table. When the caller sees all players with their discard on the table he calls "discard" and the players place the card face up on the discard pile to their left. The caller continues to call "draw" and "discard" until someone has a hand of sets without any orphan cards. When a player has complete sets they say "match" immediately after the caller calls "discard". The player with the match lays down his sets face up so that everyone can verify them. The caller then calls "draw" and "discard" once more. The player who was first to collect a complete hand of set(s) and call "match" goes out with zero points. Other players at the same time on the last draw may also have zero points. Players that have orphan cards separate and total their points. The scorekeeper records the values. Scores from each hand are added together for a total score to determine a winner.

Increase the cards in each round by one card. So for the second hand each player will draw 4 cards instead of 3, and place one card face up to their left. In the third hand they will draw a 5 card hand and place one face up, and so on up to 13. The second hand of 4 cards requires a match or sequence of 4 cards. Likewise the third hand of 5 cards requires a match or sequence of 5 cards. The fourth hand (6 cards) can be won with two sets of 3 cards, matched or sequenced. The 9 card hand can be won with 3 sets of 3 cards matched or sequenced or a set of 4 and a set of 5. The final, 13-card hand can be won by 3 sets of 3 matched or sequenced cards plus 1 set of 4 matched or sequenced cards, or various oither combinations.

Strategy: The more players the more likely it is that matches will be made early. Therefore with more players the attempt should be to discard high cards in favor of low count cards. Conversely since everyone is discarding high cards it is sometimes strategic to save high cards because there is a stronger likelihood of their being discarded by others.

Score Sheet