Strategy For Beginners : Ultimate Tip – Form A Pure Sequence First

It is a known fact in rummy that without a pure sequence, there is no valid declaration. So, the best way to approach the card game is to focus on creating a pure sequence at the very beginning. When 13 cards are dealt, the player quickly sorts out the cards into viable groups. One of the combinations should be a pure sequence.

The most important sequence

Without the pure sequence, you cannot declare and win the game. You may have impure sequences and sets, but you need a pure sequence in rummy. A couple of examples of pure sequences:

2♥ 3♥ 4♥ OR 5♠ 6♠ 7♠ 8♠ OR K♦Q♦J♦

So, group your cards in such a way that you plan your moves in advance. All this planning has categorized rummy as a game of skill. Every player needs a plan when it comes to playing online rummy. You need to be aware of all the cards in your hand, which increases your scope of winning. Hence, it is important to sort your cards correctly, initially itself, as it will prevent you from discarding a valuable card.

How to create a pure sequence

The best way to explain the formation of a pure sequence is with an example. Say for instance, there are two players at a rummy table playing pool rummy.

Player 1

Dealt Cards	8 ♦ 6 ♠ 8 ♠ 3 ♥ 2 ♥ 7 ♠ 6 ♦ 5 ♦ Q ♥ J ♣ K ♣ 10 ♣
Sorted Cards	8 ♦8 ♠    2 ♥ 3 ♥ Q ♥    6 ♠ 7 ♠    5 ♦ 6 ♦    A ♥    10 ♣ J ♣ K ♣

Strategic tip: Player 1 has broken down 13 cards into ideal combinations of sequences and sets, but it has only formed an impure sequence – 2♥3♥Q♥. However, there are three probable sequences – 10♣J♣K♣ 6♠7♠   5♦6♦ and one probable set – 8♦8♠.

Player 2

Dealt Cards	9 ♠ 3 ♥  A ♥ 4 ♥  A ♥ 2 ♥  A ♠ 6 ♠ 8 ♦ 6 ♦ 4 ♣ A ♦ Q ♣
Sorted Cards	2 ♥ 3 ♥ 4 ♥    A ♥ A ♦ A ♠   6 ♦ 6 ♠  Q ♣    8 ♦  4 ♣  9 ♠  A ♦

*In this game, printed jokers are used, and the wildcard is the Queen.

Strategic tip: Player 2 has broken down 13 cards into ideal combinations of sequences and sets. After sorting, it has already formed a pure sequence – 2♥3♥4♥ and two sets – A♥A♦A♠ and 6♦6♠ Q♣.

Round 1

Player 1

Action	Player 1 picks a card from the close deck, it is 10♣. It is useless to him as it cannot be matched to another grouping of cards; so, the player throws it in the discard pile.
Same Hand	8 ♦ 8 ♠    2 ♥ 3 ♥ Q ♥    6 ♠ 7 ♠    5 ♦ 6 ♦    A ♥   10 ♣ J ♣ K ♣

Player 2

Action	Player 2 picks a 7♦; similarly, it is an unwanted card to him, and he throws it in the pile.
Same Hand	2 ♥ 3 ♥ 4 ♥    A ♥ A ♦ A ♠    6 ♦ 6 ♠  Q ♣    8 ♦  4 ♣  9 ♠  A ♦

Round 2

Player 1

Action	Player 1 picks up the discarded card – 7♦ from the open deck to complete his pure sequence. He discards A♥, which is a high-value card and it is an unmatched card.
Changed Hand	8 ♦8 ♠    2 ♥ 3 ♥ Q ♥    6 ♠ 7 ♠    5 ♦ 6 ♦ 7 ♦    10 ♣ J ♣ K ♣

Player 2

Action	Player 2 picks from the closed deck 5♠. He keeps it as it is a low value card and discards A♦, as mentioned earlier is a high-value card.
Changed Hand	2 ♥ 3 ♥ 4 ♥    A ♥ A ♦ A ♠    6 ♦ 6 ♠  Q ♣   4 ♣  9 ♠ 5 ♠  8 ♦

Round 3

Player 1

Action	Player 1 picks 8♥ and throws K♣. With this he completes a set 8♦8♠8♥.
Changed Hand	8 ♦ 8 ♠ 8 ♥    2 ♥ 3 ♥ Q ♥    6 ♠ 7 ♠    5 ♦ 6 ♦ 7 ♦    10 ♣ J ♣

Player 2

Action	Player 2 picks 5♣ and throws 8♦, starting a new set 5♣5♠.
Changed hand	2 ♥ 3 ♥ 4 ♥    A ♥ A ♦ A ♠    6 ♦ 6 ♠ Q ♣    5 ♠ 5 ♣     4 ♣  9 ♠

Round 4

Player 1

Action	Player 1 picks 8♦ from the open deck and clubs it with 5♦6♦7♦8♦, and discards J♣.
Changed Hand	8 ♦ 8 ♠ 8 ♥    2 ♥ 3 ♥ Q ♥    6 ♠ 7 ♠    5 ♦ 6 ♦ 7 ♦ 8 ♦    10 ♣

 Player 2

Action	Player 2 picks 7♥ but discards it as it does not fit in the hand.
Same Hand	2 ♥ 3 ♥ 4 ♥    A ♥ A ♦ A ♠    6 ♦ 6 ♠ Q ♣    5 ♠ 5 ♣    4 ♣  9 ♠

Player 1 is left with one unwanted card, that is, 10♣; will the next round be successful?

Round 5

Player 1

Action	Player 1 picks a PJ and quickly combines it with the 6♠7♠ to complete another impure sequence. He places his last unwanted card 10♣ in the Finishing Slot to make a valid declaration.
Final Winning Hand	8 ♦ 8 ♠ 8 ♥    2 ♥ 3 ♥ Q ♥    6 ♠ 7 ♠ PJ    5 ♦ 6 ♦ 7 ♦ 8 ♦

Player 1 wins the prize pool by tackling the pure sequence initially.

Whether you are a beginner or advanced player, forming the pure sequence at the beginning stage is one of the best ways to start a game. It ensures surety of starting the game on the right track.