Build the Pure Sequence First
If there is one rule experienced rummy players agree on, it is this: get your pure sequence before anything else. Here’s why, and how to do it.
On this page 6 sections
Why the pure sequence comes first
The pure sequence does two jobs at once.
- You can’t declare without it. A hand of perfect sets and impure sequences is still a wrong declaration.
- It protects you when you lose. Without a pure sequence, every one of your 13 cards counts when someone else declares. With one, at least those cards are safe – and once you add a second sequence, all your other groups are safe too. See rummy scoring.
Here is the same hand with and without a pure sequence. Say the wild joker rank is 5 and the hand is:
9♥10♥J♥ 2♣3♣5♦ K♠K♦K♣ 6♠8♦Q♥A♣
With the pure run of hearts, only the four loose cards count: 6 + 8 + 10 + 10 = 34 points. Now imagine the 10♥ were missing and a joker held its place. Without a pure sequence, all 13 cards would count – 80 points after the cap. One card makes a 46-point difference.
Choosing your starting cards
When you look at a new hand, find the pairs of cards that are closest to a pure sequence and rank them.
| Cards | Type | Cards that complete it |
|---|---|---|
| 6♣7♣8♣ | Already pure | Done |
| 6♣7♣ | Open-ended pair | Any 5♣ or 8♣ |
| 6♣8♣ | Gap pair | Only a 7♣ |
| A♣2♣ or K♣A♣ | Edge pair | Only one card (3♣ or Q♣) |
An open-ended pair in the middle of the suit is the strongest start, because two different ranks complete it – and with two decks, there are two copies of each. A gap pair or edge pair needs one exact rank.
If you hold three or four cards in a row, such as 4♦5♦6♦7♦, you already have your pure sequence. Keep it and move on to the second sequence.
Use a wild joker in its natural place
A wild joker card can still be used as its own value. If eights are wild and you hold 7♠8♠9♠, that is a pure sequence, because the eight of spades is in its real position. Don’t overlook these: a natural wild joker inside a run gives you a pure sequence without using up any substitute.
But don’t use a printed joker ★JKR or a wild joker of another suit to complete your first run. 7♠8♥9♠ is impure – useful as a second sequence, but not as your pure one.
Don’t overstretch
Once you have a pure sequence of three, extra cards in the same run are only worth keeping if they help. 3♥4♥5♥ plus a 6♥ is fine – four cards, still pure. But holding a separate 9♥ hoping for the run to grow all the way up rarely works out. Use those spare cards for your second sequence or a set instead.
When the pure sequence isn’t coming
Sometimes several turns pass and nothing connects. Ask yourself:
- Do I have at least one open-ended pair? If not, the chances are getting slim.
- Has my opponent been picking cards from the same suit I need?
- Have both copies of the card I need already been discarded?
If the answers look bad and it’s still early, a middle drop may cost less than playing on with no protection.
FAQ
Should I always build the pure sequence before the second sequence?
In almost every hand, yes. The exception is when your second sequence is already complete and your pure sequence just needs one more card – then work on whatever is closest.
Can a pure sequence be longer than three cards?
Yes. A pure sequence can be four, five or more cards long, as long as every card is natural, in the same suit and in order.
Is it worth keeping two half-built pure sequences?
Early on, yes – it doubles your chances. Once one completes, keep the other only if it can become your second sequence.