How Online Rummy Is Different From Poker
The Indian Rummy variant belongs to a family of card games that entails forming three or four card sequences of cards in ascending or descending order. The cards in sequence must belong to the same rank or suit. Further, sets or cards of the same face value are also permitted as long as there is at least one pure sequence and one sequence with a joker card. Indian rummy is purely a game of skill and has been declared so by the Supreme Court of India. Though, the game has been played in the country for over one hundred years, historians believe that it originated in China as Khanhoo. Outside India, the game of rummy is played as Canasta and Gin Rummy.
Poker, on the other hand is only partly a game of skill. It requires players to make the optimum 5 card combinations from 2 cards which are dealt individually to each player and 3 community cards dealt visibly on the table. Poker was not traditionally played in India, though it has been immensely popular in America and Europe. The trend is changing now with many Indian players passionate for poker. It too has several variants like Texas Hold’em and Omaha.
| Points of Difference | Indian Rummy | Poker |
|---|---|---|
| Cards Dealt | 13 or 21 | 2 plus 3 community cards |
| Luck Factor | Very Low | Medium |
| Skill Involved | Mathematical | Reasoning |
| Players Needed | 2 to 6 | 2 to 7, Ideal number is 6 |
| Objective | Be the first to arrange cards into sequences and sets | Make the best hand or give a sense of having the strongest cards so opponents fold |
| Popular Variants | Points, Pool and Deals | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Razz, 7 Card Stud, 5 Card Draw etc. |
Though online Indian Rummy and Online Poker have several differences, there are many similarities too. These are:
- Both involve skill
- A dealer deals random cards to all players seated at the table
- Players can opt out of the game at any time. In rummy, a player may exercise a first drop or a middle drop during a game
- In both games, a valid declare must be made by the winning player
- Tournaments are held for both games on a regular basis
In summary, both rummy and poker are highly engaging card games. Players can win cash while playing online Rummy and online poker. Indian rummy is very popular in India because it has been a social and club game for a very long time. Poker is quite restricted in its presence because it was not played traditionally in the country. In either case, players enjoy themselves when they play online because they can do so from the comfort of their homes at any time of the day or night.
