How is gin rummy scored?
Gin rummy scoring rewards low deadwood and punishes a badly timed knock. Once you know the four numbers that matter, it's easy to follow.
Scoring a knock
When someone knocks, both players count their deadwood - unmatched cards, where face cards are 10 and Aces are 1. The defender first lays off any cards onto the knocker's melds, then the knocker scores the difference between the two totals. Knock with 6 while your opponent holds 18, and you score 12.
Bonuses that swing games
| Event | Points |
|---|---|
| Knock | Difference in deadwood |
| Gin (0 deadwood) | Difference + 25 bonus |
| Undercut (defender ties or wins) | Difference + 25 to the defender |
| Each hand won (line/box) | 25 bonus |
| Reaching the match target | 100 game bonus |
Going gin also blocks lay-offs, which makes it doubly valuable.
Winning the match
Hands are scored until one player reaches the target - commonly 100, though many games play to 500. The winner then adds a game bonus (usually 100) plus 25 for every hand they won. See how many points you need to win for the full match math, or the rules hub for a worked example.
Related questions
What is deadwood in gin rummy?
Deadwood is the cards in your hand that aren't part of any meld. Each one carries a point value: face cards count 10, Aces count 1, and number cards count their face value. You add those up for your deadwood total - and you need it at ten or fewer to knock.
What is an undercut in gin rummy?
An undercut - also called an underknock - happens when the player who did not knock ends up with deadwood equal to or lower than the knocker's. Instead of the knocker scoring, the defender scores the difference plus a 25-point bonus. It's the penalty for knocking when your opponent was just as low.
How many points do you need to win gin rummy?
A gin rummy match is played to an agreed target - traditionally 100 points, though many modern games play to 500. Hands are scored one after another until a player reaches the target. That player wins the match and then adds a game bonus (usually 100) plus 25 for each hand they won.