Remi (Indonesia) – Rules
Play Remi (Indonesia) against the computer
1. Overview
| Name | Remi (Indonesian rummy) |
| Type | Rummy game with a closing card |
| Players | 2–4 |
| Recommended age | 10 and up |
| Playing time | one round 5–10 minutes; a game (5 rounds) 30–45 minutes |
| Material | 52 French cards without jokers, pen and paper |
| Goal | Get as many cards as possible into combinations and end the round with a valuable closing card. |
| Difficulty | medium |
What is it about? Remi is Indonesia's rummy. Everyone holds seven cards and tries to form runs and sets. Two things are special: sets only count if you also have a run. And whoever ends the round discards one last card, the "closing card" – its value brings a big bonus.
2. Cards and material
- Pack: 52 French cards without jokers.
- Card values:
| Card | Points |
|---|---|
| 2 to 10 | 5 |
| Jack, queen, king | 10 |
| Ace | 15 |
- Run: three or more consecutive number cards (2–10) of the same suit – or jack-queen-king of the same suit. 10-jack, A-2-3 and Q-K-A are not runs.
- Set: three or four cards of the same rank.
- Face up and face down: Hands concealed, discards face up and overlapping.
3. Preparation and start
- Dealing: Everyone gets 7 cards; the rest is the stock.
- Dealer: Afterwards the player with the lowest total always deals.
- Start: The dealer begins; play is clockwise.
Start example: You hold hearts 4-5-6, two kings and two small cards. You already have the run – now you need a third king.
4. Goal and winning
- A round: Whoever has combined all cards but one and discards it as the closing card ends the round.
- Game: After the agreed number of rounds, the player with the most points wins.
5. Play in detail
A turn.
- Draw: one card from the stock.
- Or pick up: Take one of the top three discards if you meld it at once with at least two hand cards. Any discards lying above it go into your hand.
- Discard: one card face up onto the discard row.
Combinations.
- Sets only count once you have a run (in hand or melded).
- No laying off: Melded combinations are not extended.
Closing. Once all your cards but one are combined, you discard that last card – the round is over.
Example with Players 1 to 3. Three players.
- Player 2 discards a king. Player 1 takes it and melds it at once with his two kings – a set, valid because he already has hearts 4-5-6.
- Player 1 discards the 2 of diamonds.
- Two turns later Player 1 holds hearts 4-5-6-7 and draws the ace of spades – everything but the ace is combined.
- Player 1 closes with the ace: bonus 10 × 15 = 150 points.
6. Scoring
| Case | Points |
|---|---|
| Cards in valid combinations | plus card value |
| Uncombined cards | minus card value |
| Sets without a run | minus card value |
| Closing with a number card | +50 |
| Closing with a face card | +100 |
| Closing with an ace | +150 |
- Recording: Each player's total.
- The closer: also gets the bonus.
7. Special rules and situations
- Keep a card to discard: You must always keep a card to discard. A pick-up that would leave none is not allowed.
- Only one discard in the combination: Other picked-up cards go into your hand.
- Stock empty: The round ends at once and all hands are scored.
- All cards combined without a closing card: does not end the round.
- Common mistakes: collecting sets without a run; holding aces too long.
8. Variants
Standard in this description: 7 cards, no jokers, closing bonus 10 × card value.
| Variant | What changes | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Winner starts | The winner of the previous round begins. | a change |
| With jokers | Jokers replace cards. | easier |
| Joker Karo | Two packs and four jokers. | large groups |
When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play against one to three computer opponents (standard: four players) over 5, 3 or 8 rounds.
9. Tips for beginners
- A run first: Without one your sets count as minus.
- Aces as closing cards: A 150-point bonus is a lot.
- Watch the discards: Three cards are available.
- Don't pick up too much: Cards above clog your hand.
- Shed loose aces: They cost 15 points when someone else closes.
- Jack-queen-king: The only run with face cards.
- Watch opponents: What they pick up reveals their combinations.
10. Summary in 10 steps
- 52 cards without jokers, 7 cards each.
- Draw from the stock.
- Or meld one of the top three discards at once.
- Discard one card.
- Run: 3+ number cards of one suit, or J-Q-K.
- Set: 3–4 of a rank, counts only with a run.
- No laying off.
- All but one combined: close with the last card.
- Combined cards plus, the rest minus.
- Closing bonus: 10 × the closing card's value.
11. Frequently asked questions
What is a closing card?
The last card with which you end the round. Its value × 10 is the bonus.
Why do my sets count as minus?
Because you don't have a run yet.
Is A-2-3 a run?
No. Runs consist of number cards 2–10 or of jack-queen-king.
May I lay off on melds?
No.
What happens when the stock is empty?
The round ends at once.
How long does a game take?
About 30 to 45 minutes for 5 rounds.
Origin & history
A local form of Western rummy, which reached Indonesia through Dutch influence. In Indonesia the word 'remi' also means playing cards in general.